There's no question that The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy is a must-have for any physical media enthusiast. These films have not only captured the hearts of fans worldwide but have also set the benchmark for high fantasy cinema for over two decades. If you haven't yet secured your own copies, or perhaps you're looking to upgrade from those (admittedly very pretty) DVDs, you've come to the right place. Whether you're seeking advice from friends who can't agree on the best versions to buy or simply looking to fill that Lord of the Rings Blu-ray-shaped hole on your shelf, this guide will help you choose the perfect LOTR Blu-ray film 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 edition can significantly impact your viewing experience. The 4K releases boast stunning picture quality, but they lack the extensive bonus content found in the DVD and Blu-ray versions. On the other hand, the Blu-rays offer great value, although the Blu-ray version of The Fellowship of the Ring has a weird green tint that's absent in the other movies and the 4K versions. If you're okay with a slightly greener New Zealand and crave extra scenes and bonus material, the The Lord of the Rings Extended Edition boxed set is the way to go. This set includes two discs per movie, three discs of Appendices each, three booklets per movie, and a map of Middle Earth on the inside cover. It's the ultimate choice for completists!

Every LoTR Blu-ray You Can Buy

We understand the importance of options, so here's a comprehensive list of all available Lord of the Rings Blu-rays: boxed sets, extended editions, theatrical editions, and individual discs. If you're only in the market for one or two films, individual Blu-rays can be harder to find, but we've tracked them down for you:

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 Amazon

LoTR Trilogy and The Hobbit Trilogy Blu-ray sets

For those looking to own all three movies, purchasing them in a set is the most convenient option. The boxed collection of all three extended versions is highly recommended, but if you're concerned about sitting through extended cuts, there are other sets available. For an even more comprehensive experience, consider sets that include both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies, perfect for fans wanting the full Middle Earth journey.

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 Target

Individual 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 Amazon

How Different are the Extended Editions from the Originals?

The debate between the 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 ensure audiences could comfortably sit through the films, resulting in a tighter, more action-focused experience. However, the extended editions offer much more content, including additional scenes, extended sequences, and context that enhances the storytelling. The Fellowship of the Ring extended version is about 30 minutes longer, The Two Towers adds about 45 minutes, and The Return of the King includes nearly an hour of extra footage not seen in the theatrical cut. These extended versions allow you to immerse yourself even deeper into the world of Middle Earth.

Upcoming 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 Amazon

While the current list of Lord of the Rings Blu-rays is extensive, there's more on the horizon. A comprehensive 4K UHD collection featuring both the theatrical and extended cuts of all three Lord of the Rings movies and all three Hobbit movies is now available for preorder, set to release on March 18, 2025.

Editor's Note: For those interested in streaming, you can currently watch the Lord of the Rings Extended Editions on Max.