I held off on seeing the movies for a long time, fearing they would not live up to the Middle Earth I’d constructed in my mind after first reading the books at the age of 11. When my son finally dragged me to the Fellowship movie on the last day it was playing in the theatres, I was happy that he did.
I also advise reading the books - all of them - before seeing the movies. If they speak to you, you, too, will construct a Middle Earth in your mind, and that will stay with you forever, even should the movies disappoint you.
I read the books once every 7 or 8 years. I’m not the same impressionable, nerdy, 11 year old who dreamed of other worlds and heroic quests, but there is still magic within and an occasional refresher course is a real pleasure for me.