It's no secret that The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy is a must-have for any physical media collection. These films have captured hearts worldwide, swept awards, and set the benchmark for high fantasy cinema for over two decades. If you're yet to own these cinematic treasures, or perhaps you're looking to upgrade from your (admittedly very pretty) DVDs, you're in the right place. Maybe your friends have given you conflicting advice on which versions to buy, or you're simply eager to fill that Lord of the Rings Blu-ray-shaped gap on your shelf. Here's your comprehensive guide to purchasing the perfect LOTR Blu-ray collection.
Which Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Set Should You Buy?
When it comes to owning your own copies of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the choice of version can significantly impact your experience. 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 that's absent in the other films and the 4K and DVD versions. If this tint doesn't bother you and you're a fan of extra scenes and bonus material, the The Lord of the Rings Extended Edition boxed set is the way to go. It includes two discs per movie, three discs of Appendices each, three booklets per movie, and a map of Middle Earth on the inside cover. For the true fans and completists, the extended editions are a dream come true!
Every LoTR Blu-ray You Can Buy
We're here to provide you with a variety of options for your Lord of the Rings Blu-ray collection. Here's a detailed list of what's currently available, including boxed sets, extended editions, theatrical editions, and individual discs for those looking to purchase just one or two:
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy
5$96.77 save 12%$84.89 at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
5$12.99 See it at Amazon
Extended Edition: Middle-Earth: Six Film Collection
4$130.99 save 27%$95.43 at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: Middle Earth 6-Film Collection
5$40.49 at Target
Theatrical Edition: Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
3$24.99 See it at Amazon
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
3$12.97 save 22%$10.08 at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Steelbook
3$11.46 save 13%$9.96 at Walmart
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Steelbook
3$34.99 See it at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Steelbook
3$19.98 save 50%$9.96 at Amazon
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
3$48.99 See it at AmazonLoTR Trilogy and The Hobbit Trilogy Blu-ray sets
If you're looking to own all three movies, purchasing them in a set is the most efficient way. The boxed collection of all three extended versions is highly recommended, but there are other options if you prefer shorter viewing sessions. For those wanting the full Middle Earth experience, sets including both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies are available.
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy
5Extended 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
5Three-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
4Extended 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
5Includes theatrical releases of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit Trilogy.$40.49 at TargetIndividual LoTR movie Blu-rays
Theatrical Edition: Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
3Two-disc theatrical release set.$24.99 See it at Amazon
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
3Two-disc extended edition set.$12.97 save 22%$10.08 at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Steelbook
3Steelbook of theatrical release.$11.46 save 13%$9.96 at Walmart
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Steelbook
3Five-disc extended edition set.$34.99 See it at Amazon
Theatrical Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Steelbook
3Two-disc theatrical release set.$19.98 save 50%$9.96 at Amazon
Extended Edition: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
3Five-disc extended edition set.$48.99 See it at AmazonHow Different are the Extended Editions from the Originals?
The debate between theatrical and extended editions has been ongoing since The Lord of the Rings movies became available on home video. The theatrical cuts were shortened to fit typical cinema runtimes, resulting in tighter pacing and more action-focused narratives.In contrast, the extended editions offer much more content, with additional scenes, extended sequences, and context that enriches the story. The main difference is in length: The Fellowship of the Ring extended version is about 30 minutes longer, The Two Towers adds around 45 minutes, and The Return of the King includes nearly an hour of extra footage. While they are longer, spending more time in Middle Earth is a joy for many fans.
AnswerSee ResultsUpcoming Lord of the Rings 4K and Blu-rays
Out March 18, 2025: Middle-Earth 6-Film Collection (Extended & Theatrical) (4K Ultra HD + Digital)
7$209.99 at AmazonThe list of Lord of the Rings Blu-rays is extensive, but it's not exhaustive. A comprehensive 4K UHD collection, featuring both the theatrical and extended cuts of all three Lord of the Rings and all three Hobbit movies, is now available for preorder and will be released on March 18, 2025.
Editor's Note: If you prefer streaming, you can currently watch the Lord of the Rings Extended Editions on Max.
