LOTR’s 25th Anniversary Re-Release Smashes Box Office Expectations

The Lord of the Rings trilogy has stormed back into cinemas for its 25th anniversary, and Aussie fans have turned out in droves. The re-release of these iconic films has pulled in a hefty sum, with punters keen to relive the magic on the big screen. The numbers are in, and they’re nothing short of impressive.

To mark a quarter-century since The Fellowship of the Ring first hit screens in 2001, the trilogy’s return saw a domestic box office haul of $9 million. Globally, the total climbed to $10.5 million, showing that Middle-earth still has plenty of pull. Each film was screened over two weekends—January 16-18 and January 23-25—giving fans a chance to catch each instalment in sequence. The response was so strong that the run was extended beyond the original plan.

Box Office Breakdown and Fan Frenzy

Breaking down the takings, The Fellowship of the Ring led the charge, earning $3.85 million over four days. The Two Towers followed with $2.64 million, while The Return of the King brought in $2.5 million across Saturday and Sunday. Not bad for films that first graced screens more than two decades ago.

It’s clear the trilogy’s appeal hasn’t faded. The re-release wasn’t just about nostalgia—fans were treated to a few surprises, including never-before-seen moments and a fresh look at some classic scenes. The excitement in the cinema was palpable, with old mates and new fans alike soaking up the atmosphere.

Behind the Scenes: Jackson’s Bloopers and On-Set Mishaps

One of the unexpected highlights was a bit of extra footage at the start, giving audiences a peek behind the curtain. Director Peter Jackson shared a story from the Mines of Moria sequence, revealing a mishap involving Viggo Mortensen, who played Aragorn. Mortensen had copped a surfing injury while out with the Hobbits on a weekend, leaving his eye swollen shut. Jackson recalled,

We all show up to shoot that scene. And Viggo had been out with the Hobbits during the weekend, and he’d been surfing, and he had sustained an injury surfing, like the board had flipped in the air and whacked him in the face. His eye was swollen shut, so he apologized.

Jackson explained he had to film Mortensen from his good side to work around the injury. It’s a classic case of the show must go on, and a reminder that even epic adventures have their share of hiccups.

What’s Next: The Hunt for Gollum and Returning Favourites

The Middle-earth saga isn’t done yet. The franchise is gearing up for another chapter, with The Hunt for Gollum set to hit screens on 17 December 2027. This new entry promises to bring back familiar faces, with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens all involved. Word is, Ian McKellen will return as Gandalf, Andy Serkis will once again voice Gollum, and Elijah Wood is set to reprise his role as Frodo.

There’s a bit of chatter about whether Viggo Mortensen will be back as Aragorn, with some suggesting the studio might be looking for a new bloke to take up the sword. Either way, fans are keen to see where the story goes next, and anticipation is already building for the next trip to Middle-earth.

For those keeping score, the trilogy’s ratings remain sky-high. The Fellowship of the Ring holds an 8.9/10 on IMDb and a 91% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Two Towers isn’t far behind, and The Return of the King still sits at the top with a 9/10 IMDb rating. Not too shabby for a series that’s stood the test of time.