Middle-earth Returns in 2027: ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ Leads Warner Bros. Lineup of Major Upcoming Films

May 8, 2025: A return to Middle-earth is officially on the horizon. Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have announced that ‘The Hunt for Gollum’, a new installment in The Lord of the Rings universe, will hit theaters on December 17, 2027. The film will delve deeper into the enigmatic journey of Gollum, with Andy Serkis reprising his iconic role and stepping behind the camera as director.

Reuniting the magic of the original trilogy, the project will be produced by the Oscar-winning team of Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens, with Zane Weiner also on board. The screenplay is being crafted by Walsh, Boyens, alongside Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou, promising a return to the epic storytelling that made the original films legendary.

In another exciting announcement, horror fans can mark their calendars for July 24, 2026, as a new Evil Dead film is set to premiere in North American cinemas. Following the success of Evil Dead Rise, the upcoming movie stars Souheila Yacoub and is produced by Rob Tapert and franchise creator Sam Raimi. Series veteran Bruce Campbell, who famously portrayed Ash, will serve as executive producer.

Adding to the stacked release schedule, acclaimed filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan will return with a romantic thriller titled ‘Remain’, set for global release on October 23, 2026. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Phoebe Dynevor, and Ashley Walters, and is based on an original idea co-developed with bestselling author Nicholas Sparks. Sparks will also publish a novel version of Remain on October 7, 2025, offering fans a literary preview of the cinematic experience.

These high-profile announcements solidify Warner Bros.’ ambitious plans for the years ahead, offering a mix of fantasy, horror, and romance that is sure to captivate a wide range of audiences.