I first rea the books after I saw the movie for the first time. I dind't even WANT to go see the movie, and thought, "oh, fine, my best friends and boy friend are dragging me to see this dumb, dark fantasy movie" and after the movie went to the Shire--I was hooked. I went home, got the books, read them all, saw the movie 6 more times in cinemas.
Okay, that was more viewing experience...