The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released in New Zealand cinemas a day earlier than originally scheduled, on Wednesday December 12, 2012.

The film’s local distributor Roadshow Films NZ announced the date change today.

“Given the unprecedented level of interest in the film on a local level we are delighted to be one of the first markets in the world to screen the film for audiences, a full day earlier than the traditional Thursday release,” says John Davie,  general manager of Roadshow Films NZ.

Midnight screenings launch at 12.01am at select cinemas across the country, with pre-sale tickets for all New Zealand screenings on sale from Wednesday November 7