It's no secret that the The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy is a must-have for any serious collector of physical media. These films have captivated audiences worldwide, garnered numerous awards, and set the benchmark for high fantasy cinema for over two decades. If you're reading this, you might be looking to add these masterpieces to your collection, whether upgrading from those (admittedly very pretty) DVDs, seeking advice on which versions to buy, or simply wanting to fill that Lord of the Rings Blu-ray-shaped gap on your shelf. Here's your guide to finding the perfect LOTR Blu-ray film collection.
Which Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Set Should You Buy?
Choosing the right Lord of the Rings Blu-ray set can be tricky because different versions offer unique features. The 4K releases boast stunning picture quality, but they lack the extensive bonus content found on the DVDs and Blu-rays. On the other hand, the Blu-rays offer great value, though the Blu-ray version of The Fellowship of the Ring has a weird green tint—a quirk not present in the other two movies or in the DVDs and 4K versions. If you can overlook this tint and crave extra scenes and bonus material, the The Lord of the Rings Extended Edition boxed set is your best bet. This set includes two discs per movie, three discs of Appendices, three booklets per movie, and a map of Middle Earth on the inside cover. It's perfect for completists who want to immerse themselves fully in the extended editions!
Every LoTR Blu-ray You Can Buy
We're excited to provide you with a comprehensive list of Lord of the Rings Blu-rays currently available. Whether you're after boxed sets, extended editions, theatrical cuts, or individual discs, we've got you covered. Note that the individual Blu-rays of the theatrical cuts can sometimes be elusive, but we've tracked them down for you:
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy
$96.77 save 12%$84.89 at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
$12.99See it at Amazon
Extended Edition: Middle-Earth: Six Film Collection
$130.99 save 27%$95.43 at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: Middle Earth 6-Film Collection
$40.49 at Target
Theatrical Edition: Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
$24.99See it at Amazon
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
$12.97 save 22%$10.08 at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Steelbook
$11.46 save 13%$9.96 at Walmart
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Steelbook
$34.99See it at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Steelbook
$19.98 save 50%$9.96 at Amazon
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
$48.99See it at Amazon
LoTR Trilogy and The Hobbit Trilogy Blu-ray sets
For those looking to own the entire trilogy, purchasing a boxed set is the way to go. The extended edition collection is the ultimate choice for fans, offering a comprehensive experience. However, if you prefer shorter sessions or want to explore more of Middle Earth, sets that include both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies are also available.
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy
Extended editions of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy that includes two discs per movie, three discs each of Appendices, three booklets per movie, and a map of Middle Earth.$96.77 save 12%
$84.89 at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Three-disc set of theatrical releases of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.$12.99
See it at Amazon
Extended Edition: Middle-Earth: Six Film Collection
Extended editions of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit Trilogy in a 30-disc set.$130.99 save 27%
$95.43 at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: Middle Earth 6-Film Collection
Includes theatrical releases of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit Trilogy.$40.49 at Target
Individual LoTR movie Blu-rays
Theatrical Edition: Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
Two-disc theatrical release set.$24.99
See it at Amazon
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Two-disc extended edition set.$12.97 save 22%
$10.08 at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Steelbook
Steelbook of theatrical release.$11.46 save 13%
$9.96 at Walmart
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Steelbook
Five-disc extended edition set.$34.99
See it at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Steelbook
Two-disc theatrical release set.$19.98 save 50%
$9.96 at Amazon
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Five-disc extended edition set.$48.99
See it at Amazon
How Different are the Extended Editions from the Originals?
The debate between the theatrical and extended editions of The Lord of the Rings has been ongoing since their home video release. New Line Cinema shortened the films for theatrical release to keep audiences engaged, resulting in the official theatrical cuts. These versions are shorter but still over two hours each and are often praised for their pacing and action. However, the extended editions offer much more context and additional scenes, making them longer but richer in detail. The Fellowship of the Ring extended edition runs about 30 minutes longer, The Two Towers about 45 minutes longer, and The Return of the King adds nearly an hour of extra footage. For fans, the extra time spent in Middle Earth is a cherished bonus.
Answer See ResultsUpcoming Lord of the Rings 4K and Blu-rays
Out March 18, 2025: Middle-Earth 6-Film Collection (Extended & Theatrical) (4K Ultra HD + Digital)
$209.99 at AmazonWhile the list of Lord of the Rings Blu-rays is extensive, it's not exhaustive. A new 4K UHD collection that includes both the theatrical and extended cuts of all three Lord of the Rings movies and all three Hobbit movies is available for preorder, set to release on March 18, 2025.
Editor's Note: If you prefer streaming, you can currently watch the Lord of the Rings Extended Editions on Max.
