Gollum Returns to Theaters for Christmas 2027

LOS ANGELES, California — Gollum will make his return to the big screen with the new film “The Hunt for Gollum,” set to hit theaters on December 17, 2027. Warner Bros. announced the release date along with additional film projects on May 8, 2025.

Director Andy Serkis, who has portrayed Gollum since the 2002 film “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” will reprise his role in this latest installment. The film’s announcement comes as no surprise, given that previous films in the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies have traditionally released in December, attracting holiday audiences.

“The Hunt for Gollum” was first revealed by Warner Bros. last summer and was initially scheduled for a 2026 debut. However, its release has now been pushed back by a year. Serkis is set to direct the film and is working alongside producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens — the original masterminds behind the earlier trilogies.

According to Boyens, the film will focus on a narrative that unfolds after Bilbo Baggins’ birthday party and before the events in the Mines of Moria. She described the story as an intense exploration of Gollum’s character, promising a deeper look into the iconic figure.

In addition to “The Hunt for Gollum,” Warner Bros. also scheduled new installments in other popular franchises. The upcoming “Evil Dead” film, starring Souheila Yacoub, is slated for July 24, 2026. This announcement follows the financial success of recent entries in the series, with last year’s installment grossing over $147 million globally.

M. Night Shyamalan‘s “Remain” will be released on October 23, 2026, featuring Jake Gyllenhaal alongside Phoebe Dynevor and Ashley Walters. This collaborative project between Shyamalan and author Nicholas Sparks includes a screenplay and a novel, both titled “Remain.” Sparks’ novel is due for publication a year prior, on October 7, 2025.

While additional casting for “The Hunt for Gollum” has yet to be confirmed, actors Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, and Viggo Mortensen have expressed interest in reprising their roles, should it fit the storyline.