J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe returns to the big screen with The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim, an anime movie set hundreds of years before Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies. The 2024 animated movie is responsible for expanding the Middle-earth franchise by showcasing the events previously detailed in the appendices of Tolkien’s original novel. It’s responsible for giving the backstory behind Helm’s Deep, an event referenced in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, by focusing on Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox) and his daughter Héra (Gaia Wise).

The 2D animated movie marks the first Lord of the Rings movie to hit theaters in a decade, as Warner Bros. last utilized Tolkien’s works to deliver The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies in 2014. While Middle-earth has been explored since through the prequel series The Rings of Power – which is not connected to the movie franchise, War of the Rohirrim is a loose extension to Jackson’s interpretation of the world. This includes Miranda Otto returning as Éowyn to narrate the movie from the future. Now, here’s where to watch the new Lord of the Rings movie.

Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Rohirrim Releases In Theaters On December 13, 2024

War Of The Rohirrim Is Exclusively In Theaters

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema gave The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim an exclusive theatrical release to offer audiences a first chance to see the film on the big screen. This continues the tradition of all previous live-action Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies receiving a theatrical release and coming out right before Christmas. War of the Rohirrim boasts a runtime of over two hours long and is rated PG-13 for strong violence. Anyone wanting to return to Middle-earth as soon as possible is best suited to see the animated movie in theaters.

Find Showtimes For The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim

Theatrical showtimes from Friday, December 13, onward can be found via the links below:

Fandango

Regal
AMC Theaters
Alamo Drafthouse
Cinemark
Cineplex

When Will Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Rohirrim Release On Streaming?

War Of The Rohirrim Is Expected To Stream On Max

Warner Bros. has not confirmed when The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim will be released on streaming. The movie is expected to stream on Max at the appropriate time due to WB’s involvement in the production. The studio has a strong history of handling streaming releases for theatrical movies, with WB waiting about 70 days on average to move a film from theaters to streaming. That would mean The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim could release on Max in February 2025 if the same pattern holds.

When Will Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Rohirrim Release On Digital?

War Of The Rohirrim Will Come To Digital Sooner

Although a digital release date for The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim is not confirmed, WB will make the movie available to buy or rent on all major PVOD platforms later. The studio waits roughly 30 days on average after a film’s theatrical release to make it available on digital. This would mean that War of the Rohirrim‘s digital release could come in January 2025. That would give it a good runway at the box office and find audiences in theaters. The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim can then find success on streaming after.