It sounds like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power may be hitting screens faster than anyone expected!
Fans of streaming TV shows have sadly become used to how some series can take literally years to return for new seasons. HBO’s Euphoria finally debuted season 3 over four years after its second season. For sci-fi/fantasy shows, it can be even longer thanks to the special effects work and scale involved.
Few shows prove that like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. This TV prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpiece and the Peter Jackson movies debuted in 2022, and season 2 came out two years later. Many believed it would be early 2027 before the show returned to Prime Video given the various production issues.
However, a new report from The Hollywood Reporter indicates that The Rings of Power could be returning in late 2026, perhaps around Christmas. That’s a major push for the series, with filming having been completed in late 2025. Of course, for this show, the post-production and special effects work is going to be a monster task that led many fans to believe it would be delayed until 2027.Â
There’s been no confirmation from Prime Video or showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay about the show's premiere timing, so there's always the chance Prime Video could decide to delay it after all. Yet this is promising news for the continuation of this saga.Â
What’s coming in The Rings of Power season 3?
Season 2 of the series ended with Sauron (Charlie Vickers) getting hold of the Nine Rings of Men after a battle with Galadriel (Morfyyd Clark). Galadriel and Elrond (Robert Aramayo) also found the area that will become Rivendell as they prepared for a coming war with Sauron.
It sounds like season 3 will jump forward in time to finally bring us to the War of the Elves as Sauron leads his armies while crafting the One Ring, while the Stranger steps more fully into his identity as Gandalf. New cast members include Jamie Campbell Bower, Eddie Marsan, Andrew Richardson, Zubin Varla and Adam Young, although their roles are unknown.Â
Despite a divisive reaction among critics, audiences and especially Tolkien buffs, the series is a massive hit for Prime Video with a reported 170 million viewers worldwide. Amazon spent a pretty good chunk of change for the rights to the property ($250 million), and the showrunners are still intent on continuing their five season plan for the show.Â
With buzz growing about several upcoming new Lord of the Rings movies, Amazon wants to continue the franchise and build on the new wave of attention. For all its flaws, the show does fill out an important chapter in the saga, showing Sauron's rise to power and how the Rings were forged. That alone should make it a major part of any Tolkien fan's watchlist.
We still need a specific release window, but having The Rings of Power season 3 in 2026 will make it an even bigger year for fantasy fans!
The first two seasons of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power are streaming on Prime Video.
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