Following its theatrical release, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim encountered several hurdles, dampening initial expectations for the anime film. This production, inspired by Warner Bros. Discovery’s adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, struggled to resonate with audiences.
Reports from Deadline indicate that the movie will soon arrive on digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, and Fandango at Home.
The digital release is set to occur just two weeks after its premiere in theaters on December 13, 2024. This marks the first addition to the franchise in ten years but comes on the heels of unfavorable reviews and underwhelming box office performance.
With a production budget of $30 million, not including marketing expenses, the movie failed to draw attention domestically. Opening in fifth place, it managed to earn only $4.6 million during its debut weekend across 2,602 theaters.
Despite leveraging the well-known Lord of the Rings brand, The War of the Rohirrim could not outperform Kraven the Hunter at the box office. Interestingly, Kraven the Hunter, plagued by poor reviews and minimal promotion, still managed to overshadow the anime film, though it holds a dismal Rotten Tomatoes score of 16%.
Critics were only slightly more favorable toward The War of the Rohirrim, granting it a 47% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, known for Blood: The Last Vampire and Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War, the film received mixed feedback.
Some reviews criticized it as a “rushed cash grab,” while others praised its animation and female protagonist, despite concerns about the extended runtime.
A fast-tracked production schedule, allegedly intended to secure Warner Bros. Discovery’s rights to the franchise, has sparked further debate about the movie’s intentions.
While drawing from lesser-developed elements of Tolkien’s lore, the film offers creative liberty but also leaves room for the studio to reconsider future adaptations.
Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly looking ahead to other projects, such as The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, slated for release in 2026. Meanwhile, the anime film avoids altering the established canon created by Peter Jackson’s live-action adaptations.