If you thought Middle-earth had quietly settled into your streaming queue, think again—Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy is marching back into Prague cinemas like a fellowship on a mission, and it’s impossible not to get caught up in the excitement.
The 25th anniversary screenings are more than just nostalgia; they’re a reminder of how these films, especially in their extended cuts, were built to be experienced as epic theatrical events, not just Saturday-night living room marathons. For anyone who’s ever felt the weight of a four-hour extended edition sitting in a dark theater, this is the chance to relive that glory—big screen, immersive sound, and all the little details that make Middle-earth feel lived-in.
Prague audiences are in for a cinematic marathon, with The Fellowship of the Ring kicking things off on Friday, Jan. 30, followed by The Two Towers on Saturday, Jan. 31, and The Return of the King wrapping up the weekend on Feb. 1.
Cinema City is hosting the trilogy at five locations—Chodov, Flora, Letňany, Nový Smíchov, and Slovanský dům—while CineStar screens it at Anděl. And yes, these are the extended editions, so fans will get the full breadth of Tolkien’s world: extra scenes, extended dialogue, and more of those quiet, character-driven moments that were mercilessly cut from the original theatrical releases. Running nearly four hours each, these screenings are not for the faint of heart—or the impatient—but that’s exactly the point.
Interestingly, Prague is skipping Czech subtitles this time. Cinema City explained that subtitled versions for the extended cuts weren’t available, and dubbed versions simply don’t exist. That might seem unusual, but it also gives the screenings a slightly international, almost festival-like feel: you’re hearing Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, and the rest in their original voices, preserving the performances that have defined fantasy cinema for decades.
Globally, the 25th anniversary rerelease has been a triumph. In the United States and select international markets, the trilogy pulled in $10.5 million over its opening weekend, including $9 million in the U.S. alone, prompting theater chains to extend the engagement to meet demand. The Prague screenings are riding that wave, showing just how potent the draw of legacy franchises remains when packaged as an event.
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This resurgence isn’t just about revisiting old favorites, either. Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema are clearly looking to keep the Middle-earth momentum alive. The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis, is slated for a December 2027 release, exploring the gap between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring with a focus on Aragorn’s early pursuit of Gollum. Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens are all back as producers, ensuring a creative throughline that fans of the original trilogy can trust.
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For anyone who’s ever debated whether theater experiences still matter in the age of streaming, these anniversary screenings are a compelling answer. Sitting in a crowded cinema, watching Frodo and Sam trudge toward Mordor or Gandalf stand against the shadow of Saruman, you feel the scale, the music, the stakes in a way no TV screen can replicate. For Prague, this is more than a nostalgia trip—it’s an invitation to witness cinematic history live, to share it with a roomful of strangers who are just as obsessed, and to remember why these films, even 25 years later, still feel monumental.
By the time you step out of the theater, eyes bleary but heart full, you realize the anniversary isn’t just a marketing gimmick. It’s a reminder that some journeys are meant to be taken on the big screen, where every battle, every whispered secret, and every echo of Middle-earth can hit you like it did the first time—and still make you believe in magic.