11 Years After LOTR Ended, Elijah Wood Starred In Another Near-Perfect Dark Fantasy

Elijah Wood is still best known for his role as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and 11 years later, he starred in another near-perfect dark fantasy. Elijah Wood has had an impressive acting career and successfully went from child actor to one of the most notable names in the fantasy genre. Wood’s acting career began in 1989 with a minor appearance in Back to the Future Part II, after which he appeared in a variety of movies, such as the drama Avalon and the psychological thriller The Good Son.

Wood’s big break arrived in 2001 when he was cast as Frodo in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, a role he reprised in The Two Towers and The Return of the King. Middle-earth gave Wood’s career a huge boost, and to this day, he’s one of the most beloved and notable actors in the fantasy genre. A bit over a decade later, Wood starred in another dark fantasy project, but now on TV, thanks to the animated series Over the Garden Wall.

Created by Patrik McHale and based on his animated short film Tome of the Unknown, Over the Garden Wall is a dark fantasy animated show that aired on Cartoon Network in 2014. Over the Garden Wall was a critical success, winning an Emmy Award, and expanded into a comic book series, graphic novels, and a stop-motion short to celebrate its 10th anniversary, and it now ranks among the best animated TV shows of all time.

Over The Garden Wall Has Only Become More Popular Since Its 2014 Release

Over the Garden Wall introduces viewers to half-brothers Wirt (voiced by Elijah Wood) and Greg (Collin Dean), who become lost in a mysterious forest called the Unknown. Wirt is worry-prone, keeps to himself, and secretly loves playing the clarinet and writing poetry, while Greg is carefree, naïve, and carries a frog with him that he found. The two must travel across the forest to find their way home, with the occasional help of the Woodsman (Christopher Lloyd) and a talking bluebird called Beatrice (Melanie Lynskey).

There’s a terrifying threat lurking in the forest, known as the Beast (Samuel Ramey), an ancient creature who misleads lost souls so they lose hope, and he can turn them into Edelwood trees. Over the Garden Wall is unlike most animated TV shows, as it has a darker, eerie visual style that feels cozy and unsettling at the same time. The show perfectly balances mystery, drama, and comedy, feeling like a unique type of fairy tale with mature themes.

Over the Garden Wall addresses topics like grief, depression, loneliness, hopelessness, and family through impeccably written and well-developed characters, metaphors, and engaging stories. On top of that, Over the Garden Wall is a family story that explores the dynamic between the brothers, their differences, and their growth throughout their experience in the forest.

Over the Garden Wall has gained more attention throughout the years since its initial release, in large part thanks to it becoming a seasonal must-watch due to it being associated with autumn. Its cozy yet spooky vibe is fitting with autumn, and this has kept Over the Garden Wall relevant through the years, also allowing it to reach a wider audience.

Where To Watch Over The Garden Wall

As mentioned above, Over the Garden Wall aired on Cartoon Network in November 2014, over five consecutive nights. Although it’s a Cartoon Network production, and most of its TV shows can be found on HBO Max, Over the Garden Wall has a different home. At the time of writing, Over the Garden Wall can be streamed on Disney+. Additionally, Over the Garden Wall can be purchased through Prime Video, Amazon (physical copy), and Fandango at Home.

Over the Garden Wall can be binge-watched as it’s only 10 episodes long, and its quality, characters, and story make it hard to stop watching. Over the Garden Wall is one of Elijah Wood’s best works to date, and adds yet another dark fantasy masterpiece to his career.