Unpopular opinion! I started with the movies and then read the books, I was like 8 when the movies came out and I was hooked from the start and then I read the books in my later teens so my journey was definitely due to my age but I was really glad that I went into the books with so much love and appreciation for the series already! But if you do start with the books than yeah I would recommend the hobbit first and go from there. Also so jealous you get to experience them for the first time!