Hobbit / LOTR Get Simultaneous 4K Release

With much of the world being risk-averse to crowds of shoppers this year, it doesn't take a crystal ball to predict that online sales are going to be through the roof for Black Friday and beyond. And with shipping times factoring into the gift-buying (and sending) equation, the earlier you get started with your list the more likely it is you'll have everything wrapped and ready in time for Christmas.

Just in time for the holidays this year, Warner Brothers is releasing both THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS full trilogies -- theatrical and extended versions -- on 4K Blu-ray and digital. The first thing that strikes me upon examining these sets is just how little space they take up. I'm old enough to remember when the single movies of each one were being released in those faux-leather slipcases just how thick they were to get in all those special features and extended scenes. These newer releases are just about an inch thick, meaning you get higher quality versions of these movies and regain a good foot of space back on your media shelf.

THE HOBBIT, starring Martin Freeman as the heroic Bilbo Baggins, is contained on 6 discs to deliver both the theatrical and extended versions of AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, and THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES. It's follow-up (although technically released in theaters first), THE LORD OF THE RINGS, is released on 9 discs to bring both versions of THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, THE TWO TOWERS, and THE RETURN OF THE KING.

Each of these trilogies, already visually stunning, now have even greater clarity in your home theater with this 4K high definition treatment, and either (or, you know, both) would make for an excellent Christmas gift for the true cinephile in your life. Each is neatly and concisely packaged in a single clamshell case with new trade dress slipcovers, making them a handsome addition to your collection.