The still-animated prequel The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, the latest film to come from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, has arrived in the digital realm after mild theatrical showings.
The film, which is set 183 years before the events of the original trilogy, focuses on King Helm Hammerhand of Rohan and his daughter, Héra; the two must protect their kingdom against a savage foe: Released on Dec. 13, 2024. 
Digital Release Details
As of Dec. 27, 2024, The War of the Rohirrim is available to rent or buy on multiple digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV and VUDU. For Indian viewers, the film is available to rent via the Prime Video store for ₹399, which grants a 48-hour viewing window, or can be purchased for ₹499 for unlimited viewing access.
Theatrical Performance
In spite of the abundant lore of Middle-earth, the cinema version did not stir quite so much enthusiasm. With a domestic opening of only $4.6 million in its first weekend, the film faced tough competition from big titles such as Moana 2 and Wicked, which were box office hits at that time.
All said and done, The War of the Rohirrim ended its run (so far) with around $15.3 million worldwide, hardly enough to recoup its $30 million production budget.
Critical Reception
The film was met with mixed reviews from critics. It has a 47 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 115 reviews, and the critical consensus there suggests the film provides plenty of spectacle but that its characters and animation might fail to enshrine the essence of Middle-earth.
For audiences though its tracking a little more rosy with a 83% positive score on the same service.
Plot Overview
The War of the Rohirrim, directed by Kenji Kamiyama, explores the history of Rohan through the lens of King Helm Hammerhand, voiced by Brian Cox. The plot, involving Helm and his daughter, Héra (Gaia Wise), facing Wulf (Luke Pasqualino), a vengeful lord seeking revenge for his father’s demise, serves as a prequel to the events seen in The Lord of the Rings. The tale centers around Helm and his folk defending themselves against the outsiders at the high fortress at the Hornburg, later called Helm’s Deep. Héra stands out as a central figure, spearheading the rebellion against the trespassers.
Streaming Availability
It is available now through premium video-on-demand services but likely to come to subscription-based sites soon. With Warner Bros. distributing it Pictures, The War of the Rohirrim is likely to stream on Max (formerly known as HBO Max) about two to three months after its theatrical run—which means it could arrive as soon as February or March 2025.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Will Tell Tail of Helm’s Deep, and the People of Rohan Midgard’s undying popularity leaves many untold stories in its wake, including the historical events behind the legendary fortress of Helm’s Deep, revealing the valor of Rohan’s people. While not a huge hit at the box office, the film’s release on the digital market means that a wider audience can now experience this chapter of Tolkien’s world.
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