$2.9 Billion Fantasy Trilogy Returns to Theaters on 25th Anniversary

Warner Bros. and Fathom Events confirmed the theatrical rerelease dates for the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The companies announced the screenings in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring.

Lord of the Rings’ extended editions to return to theaters in 2026

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Warner Bros. and Fathom Events are re-releasing the extended editions of Peter Jackson’s trilogy in theaters in 2026, according to Variety. The films will screen in DBOX format from January 16 to 19, followed by standard format screenings from January 23 to 25.

Warner Bros. and Fathom have released a new logo and trailer to mark the trilogy’s 25th anniversary. Select theaters will offer limited-edition Lord of the Rings-themed concession items. AMC will feature exclusive popcorn buckets with maps of Middle Earth, while Regal and participating local cinemas will offer buckets with a “One Ring” design.

New Line Cinema released the original Lord of the Rings trilogy in 2001, 2002, and 2003, adapting J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy novels. Peter Jackson directed the films and co-wrote the screenplays with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. The production team shot all three movies back-to-back in New Zealand.

The series earned nearly $3 billion worldwide and won 17 Academy Awards. The Return of the King took home 11 Oscars, tying with Ben-Hur and Titanic for the most Academy Awards won by a single film. Jackson returned to Middle Earth to direct The Hobbit trilogy in 2012, 2013, and 2014.

The extended editions run approximately 11.5 hours in total, compared to just over nine hours for the theatrical cuts. Warner Bros. released each extended version on home video one year after its corresponding theatrical debut.

Fathom and Warner Bros. previously brought 4K Ultra HD remasterings of the extended editions to theaters in 2024. The upcoming screenings will further commemorate the milestone anniversary of the trilogy’s first film.

Originally reported by Vritti Johar on SuperHeroHype.

Source: Comingsoon.net