It's not an exaggeration to call the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy a cornerstone of any physical media collection. Universally beloved and award-winning, they remain the gold standard for high fantasy films, even after two decades. But if you're reading this, you likely haven't added them to your collection yet. Perhaps you're upgrading from DVDs, grappling with conflicting recommendations from friends, or simply aiming to fill that Lord of the Rings-shaped void on your shelf. This guide clarifies your options for acquiring the perfect LOTR Blu-ray collection.
Which Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Set Should You Buy?
Choosing your Lord of the Rings trilogy can be tricky, as different versions offer varying extras. The 4K releases boast stunning picture quality but unfortunately lack the extensive bonus features found in the DVD and Blu-ray editions.
Blu-ray versions offer excellent value, but the Blu-ray of The Fellowship of the Ring notably has a greenish tint (not present in the other films or the DVD/4K versions). If you can overlook this minor quirk and crave extra scenes and bonus content, the Lord of the Rings Extended Edition boxed set is unbeatable. It includes two discs per movie, three discs of Appendices, three booklets, and a Middle-earth map. Yes, the extended editions – a completist's dream!
Every LoTR Blu-ray Available
For those seeking variety, here's a comprehensive list of currently available Lord of the Rings Blu-rays: boxed sets, extended and theatrical editions, and individual discs. Finding individual theatrical cut Blu-rays can be challenging, but we've done our best to locate them:
**The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended Edition)**
$96.77 (save 12%) $84.89 at Amazon
**The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Theatrical Edition)**
$12.99 See it at Amazon
**Middle-Earth: Six Film Collection (Extended Edition)**
$130.99 (save 27%) $95.43 at Amazon
**Middle Earth 6-Film Collection (Theatrical Edition)**
$40.49 at Target
**Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Theatrical Edition)**
$24.99 See it at Amazon
**The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition)**
$12.97 (save 22%) $10.08 at Amazon
**The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Steelbook (Theatrical Edition)**
$11.46 (save 13%) $9.96 at Walmart
**The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Steelbook (Extended Edition)**
$34.99 See it at Amazon
**The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Steelbook (Theatrical Edition)**
$19.98 (save 50%) $9.96 at Amazon
**The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Extended Edition)**
$48.99 See it at Amazon
LoTR Trilogy and The Hobbit Trilogy Blu-ray Sets
For the complete trilogy, a boxed set is recommended. The extended edition boxed set is ideal, but other options exist if you prefer shorter viewing sessions. For an even more immersive experience, consider sets including both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
**The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended Edition)**
Extended editions; two discs per movie, three discs of Appendices, three booklets, and a Middle-earth map.
$96.77 (save 12%) $84.89 at Amazon
**The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Theatrical Edition)**
Three-disc set of theatrical releases.
$12.99 See it at Amazon
**Middle-Earth: Six Film Collection (Extended Edition)**
Extended editions of both trilogies in a 30-disc set.
$130.99 (save 27%) $95.43 at Amazon
**Middle Earth 6-Film Collection (Theatrical Edition)**
Theatrical releases of both trilogies.
$40.49 at Target
Individual LoTR Movie Blu-rays
**Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Theatrical Edition)**
Two-disc theatrical release set.
$24.99 See it at Amazon
**The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition)**
Two-disc extended edition set.
$12.97 (save 22%) $10.08 at Amazon
**The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Steelbook (Theatrical Edition)**
Steelbook of theatrical release.
$11.46 (save 13%) $9.96 at Walmart
**The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Steelbook (Extended Edition)**
Five-disc extended edition set.
$34.99 See it at Amazon
**The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Steelbook (Theatrical Edition)**
Two-disc theatrical release set.
$19.98 (save 50%) $9.96 at Amazon
**The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Extended Edition)**
Five-disc extended edition set.
$48.99 See it at Amazon
How Different Are the Extended Editions from the Originals?
The theatrical versus extended edition debate is long-standing. To accommodate shorter cinema runtimes, the theatrical cuts were slightly trimmed. These versions are perfectly watchable; they're simply shorter and arguably more action-packed.
However, the extended editions offer significantly more content, including added and expanded scenes providing crucial context missing from the theatrical versions. The key difference is length: The Fellowship of the Ring extended edition is about 30 minutes longer, The Two Towers about 45 minutes, and The Return of the King nearly an hour longer. While longer, the extended versions allow for deeper immersion in Middle-earth.
Upcoming Lord of the Rings 4K and Blu-rays
**Middle-Earth 6-Film Collection (Extended & Theatrical) (4K Ultra HD + Digital)**
Out March 18, 2025
$209.99 at Amazon
While this list is extensive, it's not exhaustive. A comprehensive 4K UHD collection including both theatrical and extended cuts of all six Middle-earth films is available for pre-order.
Editor's Note: The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions are currently streamable on Max.
