The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions return to theaters in 2026, and we’ve put together the ultimate fan guide. From D-BOX to 4DX to collectible popcorn buckets, here’s everything you need to plan your big-screen journey back to Middle-earth.
Christmas came a bit early for Tolkien fandom as we learned about Fathom Entertainment bringing the Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Trilogy back to theaters in early 2026. Yup – the real-deal Extended Editions that stole whole weekends from us for the last 25 years. (No complaints here!) The LOTR Theaters 2026 event gives us another chance to go there and back again!
Tickets are on sale now, and honestly, it feels like the perfect excuse to get back into a theater, turn off the rest of the world, and remember what it was like to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with fans who cheer when Gandalf arrives at dawn and cry when Sam says he can’t carry you but he can carry it for you.
This isn’t just about seeing the films again; it’s about feeling the Fellowship again. And, honestly, after the last few years, that feels long overdue.
So here’s our ultimate TORn guide to what makes these screenings special and why you absolutely should not miss them.
1. It’s the 25th Anniversary – Crazy!
Twenty five years ago, The Fellowship of the Ring strolled into theaters with tons of hype and basically rearranged our emotional connection to film for an entire generation. A quarter century later (holy crud are we really that old now?!), we’re getting a chance to celebrate the moment that changed fantasy filmmaking forever.
If you saw it in 2001, maybe you get to relive that excitement and nostalgia. If you weren’t old enough or somehow missed it, this is your moment to join the rest of us and say: I finally saw it on the big screen!
2. D-BOX Motion Seats – You Will Literally Feel Middle-earth
If you haven’t tried D-BOX before… oh boy. We think some of these screenings will have this available…
Imagine this:
The Mines of Moria quake underneath you
The Balrog roar vibrates through your seat
The cavalry charge at Helm’s Deep moves your entire body
Troll hits actually jolt your chair
It’s ridiculous and fun and honestly the closest we’ll get to signing waivers saying Yes, please physically toss me around during the Battle of Pelennor Fields.”
If you want immersion, D-BOX is the deluxe tier. It is not for the faint of heart though – so fair warning!
One of the pieces I had been dying to get my order in for, since I saw it at SDCC 2024, was the classic series Boromir. The reason? Well, I fell in love with the choice of the pose and the look of the piece. This is a version I wasn’t sure we’d ever get but was blown away when it happened. When this statue went up for pre-order there were two versions like the recent Legolas statue. You could get the Boromir with 1:4 Horn of Gondor, which was limited to 400 pieces total or you could get the standard classic series. That version is still available for $399 and in-stock. I think this statue is just fantastic with great paint, details, and likeness. I could not be happier to have this in my collection and I hope you will do the same.
If prop replicas are your thing, and I know many a collector who that is their focus, then these awesome pieces by the folks at United Cutlery just might be what you’re looking for.
One of my favourite replica weapons I’ve owned was the original Anduril. Now almost 25 years later if you missed out on that version you can snag this beautiful Museum Collection version. This version of Anduril comes with a beautiful plaque, Gondorian banner, and a certificate of authenticity. This awesome piece by UC is in-stock and ready to ship! You can snag it for $599.
If you’re looking to add to your Legolas collection, you can now add his Lothlorien bow. This is very much one of those pieces I think needs to be in a Legolas themed collection and will really pop once it’s in yours. The Lothlorien bow of Legolas is also in-stock and can be snagged for $469.
Now, if bad guys are your thing. Especially a certain dark lord who may have a thing for one rings then this next piece is for you. This is another museum collection piece so you’re getting all the similar goodies you would get with the Andruil sword only themed for Sauron himself. Sauron’s helm is in-stock as well and ready to ship for $499. Fun note this helm is leather lined so you just might be able to wear it.
Today our friends at Weta Workshop launched another fantastic looking 1:6 statue from The Lord of the Rings. If you’re a fan of Legolas Greenleaf then today is your day, as he joins the classic series.
Fans have a chance to pre-order him two ways as of this post. The first is the first 800 orders get a 1:4 metal replica of his knives. This effectively makes the first 800 made a limited edition version. If you decide you just want the statue iteself that will go up for pre-order once these first 800 have sold.
Both versions are available for pre-order for $399, and will ship in the first quarter of next year.
If you’re a fan if the mini statue line we’ve also got two great announcements for you. Our friend Jed Brophy, who as you know has played many a Middle-earth role, has finally had a statue of one of his characters from The Lord of the Rings made. You can now pre-order the mini Sharku on Warg for $179.
If mini environments are your thing, then you will want to add the mini Zirakzigil to your collection for $99. Both of these are due to ship in the first quarter of 2026.
What happens when you say ‘I do’ under the Party Tree and Frodo Baggins strolls into your ceremony? Jess and Sharik Burgess‑Stride found out last week when Elijah Wood – yes, our Frodo himself – casually crashed their wedding at the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, New Zealand (www.1news.co.nz). According to 1News, the couple were in the middle of signing their marriage certificate when Wood came down the aisle, shook hands, congratulated them, and posed for a few photos. He was there for the Armageddon Expo, but apparently couldn’t resist the opportunity to check out his old stomping grounds. (If there was any clearer indication that the cast of these movies truly loved their work, I’m not sure what it could be!)
In true Middle‑earth fashion, this wedding wasn’t just a ceremony – it was a meticulously crafted cosplay. The ring bearer (Sharik’s sister) delivered the rings dressed as Gollum, guests sported elf ears and furry feet, and the vows were peppered with Tolkien references. After the ceremony, the pair set off on a South Island road‑trip honeymoon to hunt down more filming locations. Talk about One Ring to tour them all. 🤩 As he posed for photos, Elijah grinned and told the wedding party, “This is amazing, everyone is dressed as hobbits!”
As someone who’s been around this fandom longer than I care to admit, I’ve seen my fair share of LOTR‑themed proposals, Halloween costumes, and even tattooed quotes. But this? Frodo literally showing up at your wedding? That’s the stuff of fandom legend. It also speaks volumes about how the cast still embraces the community. Elijah didn’t have to stop – he could have taken the tourist route through the Shire and left the newlyweds in peace – but he didn’t. He made their day, and ours, just a little more magical. Thanks Elijah!
I’m pretty sure I got this link right, but we would be remiss if we didn’t at least link up the company that made this possible – Hobbiton Movie Set. Check out their wedding experiences here. Nope, they have not paid for advertising for this post!
Congrats to the happy couple for a wedding of special magnificence to be remembered for an age! (If you happen to want to share more about your experience, photos, or video, hit us up at spymaster@theonering.net)
The official Lord of the Rings LARP event is coming back to Kentucky.
Tickets are now on sale for the next Brandywine Festival, the first official LARP for The Lord of the Rings in the USA. First batch of sales go to previous attendees sold directly in the invite-only Brandywine Discord and by Newsletter for returning players + friends. Public sales start November 10.
🌿 Oct 26: Event Trailer Release 🕊️ Oct 27: Community Tickets On Sale — $375 🤝 Nov 3: Volunteer Registration Opens 🍂 Nov 10: Public Ticket Sales Begin — $400
Festival Recap 2025
We brought together a few folks that attended the first Brandywine Festival to share their stories, experiences and feedback on the event. Here is Matt from Nerd of the Rings, Kellie from Happy Hobbit, with staffers Jim and Emily Wert in conversation with Clifford Broadway, and a synopsis below the video.
Note: Everyone in this video was provided complimentary tickets to the event and will be posting content about their experience. You could say it was a sponsored experience, but the content here is genuine interest and feedback.
LARP Event Highlights and Insights
The group discussed their experiences at the LARP event where Matt played a dwarven boot merchant. They described how participants stayed in character despite creative attempts to break the rules, with Jim estimating that 90% of attendees were new to LARPing. The highlight for Jim was experiencing a hobbit culture focused on food, cheer, and community, rather than the typical quest-based LARP activities. The event was praised for its welcoming atmosphere and clean environment, with experienced LARPers giving it high marks for the overall experience. Matt clarified that while he helped with some lore questions early on, he was not heavily involved in organizing the event, and the group discussed their experiences at the festival.
Creating Characters
Jim and Emily ran a bakery character, Kellie played a seamstress, and Matt participated with his family. They shared details about their decorated tents, trading of mathoms, and the challenges of maintaining character language. The event included medical staff dressed as elves, portable toilets, and the property owners’ animals visiting, though pets were not allowed. Matt noted that children and babies were present, and the group discussed the creative decorations and activities at different camp sites.
Matt shared that his 9-year-old son, who initially complained about wearing a dwarf beard, ended up enjoying the experience so much he wanted to attend three times a year. Jim explained that the event had 1,100 participants across multiple camps, with a thoughtful transition into the game world and clear boundaries between in-game and out-of-game areas. The participants explored side quests, with Matt and Kellie noting that while some quests were posted on trees, others were introduced through player interactions with NPCs, though there was some criticism about the clarity of quest timing and location.
Jim and Matt participated in quests and storytelling with other participants, and shared details about their costumes, which were made from natural fibers to stay comfortable in fluctuating temperatures, and discussed the event’s guidelines for costuming and character development. The participants emphasized the importance of developing a backstory and creating a unique living space for their characters, with Jim and Emily creating detailed outfits for their hobbit characters. The event’s organizer, Bale, encouraged them to give away boots through quests, and Matt shared how he created on-the-spot quests for his son.
A Safe Space to be a Hobbit
The group discussed their experiences at a LARP event, with Kellie sharing that the hike was more about socializing than reaching a destination, and Matt emphasizing the importance of embracing the improvisational nature of the event. They also talked about the challenges posed by heavy rain, which caused some issues but didn’t significantly impact the event. The conversation concluded with a discussion about the event’s inclusivity for socially awkward participants, with Kellie highlighting it as a safe space for people to let go and have fun.
The group reinforced the relaxed atmosphere and lack of formal structure. They shared stories about their character interactions, including combat scenarios and the use of pipeweed and alcohol in-character. The participants also addressed questions about bug issues, mobility aids, and the overall experience of attending the event, with Kellie suggesting the possibility of bringing a game producer to the next year’s event for a collaborative experience. She also shared that the event provided a therapeutic and communal experience, despite some accessibility challenges. They noted the festival’s success and potential for expansion, with Matt mentioning ticket sales for 2026 available now.
Tips for doing your first LARP
We asked the panel for tips in doing a 5 day The Lord of the Rings LARP.
Commit to your character fully
Design your tent for your character, with all the accoutremants
Take a slow pace and enjoy the interaction time with fellow players
Do whatever you want! If your character doesn’t want to do quests, don’t!
Bring items for bartering and trade. Could be baked goods, or drawings, or thrifted items
Kellie Rice almost didn’t go to the Brandywine Festival because she had been dealing with health issues all year, but as she says in the show, “This is the safest space you could be in. I felt it was more potent for me than psychotherapy. It was life changing. You really can’t put a price on that. Of course you can’t promise that experience for everyone, but that’s the experience I had that I did not see coming. I’m so thankful that I went and thankful I was invited.”
