The Hunt for Gollum is shaping up to be a lot more "psychological thriller" and a lot less "second breakfast," so if your kids are expecting a whimsical romp through the Shire, you might want to manage those expectations before the lights go down. Directed by Andy Serkis and produced by Peter Jackson, this film dives deep into the darkest corners of Middle-earth’s lore, focusing on the period where Gandalf and Aragorn are desperately trying to find Sméagol before Sauron’s forces do.
TL;DR: The Hunt for Gollum (movie) is a 2027 psychological adventure that explores the "missing years" between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. Screenwise rates this as a "Strong PG-13" due to its intense focus on Gollum’s fractured psyche and horror-adjacent creature design; it’s best suited for ages 12+ who have already handled the intensity of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy.
We’ve known this was coming for a while, but with the 2027 cast officially revealed this morning, the hype is hitting a fever pitch. This isn't a reboot or a sequel to the recent The Rings of Power (show). Instead, it’s a focused "mid-quel" directed by the man who knows Gollum better than anyone: Andy Serkis.
The story follows the search for Gollum that happens mostly off-screen in the books. Gandalf realizes that the Ring Bilbo found is actually the One Ring, and he sends Aragorn on a years-long, grueling hunt to find the creature who owned it last. It’s a story of desperation, torture, and the "uncanny valley" of a creature who was once a man but has been hollowed out by obsession.
If your kids are deep into Tolkien, they probably already know the memes. Gollum has been a digital culture staple for decades—from "my precious" parodies to the weirdly divisive Gollum (game) that came out a few years ago. But this movie is trying to do something different. It’s moving away from the "funny little CGI guy" and leaning into the tragedy.
For older kids (12-15), this is a great entry point into more complex storytelling. It’s not just "good guys vs. bad guys." It’s about a character who is a victim of his own addiction. In a world where we talk a lot about "brain rot" and the dopamine loops of apps like TikTok, the story of Gollum is actually a pretty heavy-handed (but effective) metaphor for what happens when you let one thing consume your entire identity.
Let’s be real: Andy Serkis loves a dark, gritty performance. Between his work on Planet of the Apes and his portrayal of Gollum, he specializes in making digital characters feel uncomfortably human.
Screenwise has been tracking the production notes, and it’s clear they are leaning into the horror elements of Middle-earth. We’re talking about the Mirkwood spiders, the interrogation of Gollum in Barad-dûr, and the sheer physical toll of Aragorn tracking a creature through dead marshes. If your child was freaked out by the Bilbo "scary face" moment in The Fellowship of the Ring, this entire movie might be a bit much for them.
If you want to prepare your family for this release without jumping straight into the deep end of psychological trauma, here’s how we suggest layering the content:
For the Younger Crew (Ages 7-10)
Stick to the lighter side of the lore. You want the adventure without the existential dread.
- LEGO Lord of the Rings (game): This is the gold standard for introducing the story. It hits all the major plot points but with the humor and safety of the LEGO brand.
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (book): Still the best way to start. It’s a whimsical fairy tale compared to what comes later.
- The Hobbit (animated movie): The 1977 version is a bit trippy, but it’s far less intense than the live-action versions.
For the Tweens (Ages 11-13)
This is the "sweet spot" for the new movie, provided they’ve had some exposure to the original films.
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (movie): If they can handle the Nazgûl at Weathertop, they can likely handle The Hunt for Gollum.
- Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (game): This game is rated M, so check our guide to M-rated games first, but it covers a similar "darker" side of the lore and features Gollum heavily.
For the Hardcore Fans
- The Silmarillion (book): If your teen has actually read this, they’re basically a scholar. They’re ready for anything Serkis throws at them.
Ask our chatbot about the best order to watch the Lord of the Rings movies
The biggest shift here is the POV. Most Tolkien media follows the "heroes"—the Hobbits, the Rangers, the Wizards. This movie focuses on the "hunted." It’s inherently more claustrophobic.
We also expect a significant amount of "creature violence." Gollum isn't a clean fighter; he’s a scavenger. The film will likely show the more predatory side of his nature—eating raw fish (and worse) and using stealth to kill. It’s a different vibe than the epic battlefield charges of The Return of the King.
Instead of just worrying about the "scary parts," use this movie to talk about some pretty interesting themes that are super relevant to kids today:
- The "Precious" Obsession: Ask your kids why they think the Ring changed Gollum so much. You can bridge this into a conversation about how certain apps or games (looking at you, Roblox) are designed to make us feel like we need to keep checking them.
- Pity and Mercy: Gandalf famously says that Bilbo’s pity stayed his hand. Why is it important to show mercy to someone like Gollum, even if he’s "bad"?
- The Power of Storytelling: Talk about how Andy Serkis uses technology to "become" Gollum. It’s a great way to discuss how AI and MoCap are changing how we see actors.
Q: Is The Hunt for Gollum appropriate for a 10-year-old?
It depends on the 10-year-old, but generally, Screenwise suggests waiting until 12. The movie focuses heavily on psychological torment and horror-style creature design that might be too intense for younger kids who haven't seen the original trilogy.
Q: Do we need to watch the other 6 movies before seeing this?
You definitely need to have seen The Hobbit (movie) and The Fellowship of the Ring to understand why Gollum matters. Without that context, he just looks like a weird, scary guy in a cave.
Q: Is this movie going to be on Max or in theaters?
As of April 2026, the plan is a major theatrical release in 2027, followed by a streaming debut on Max. Warner Bros. is betting big on this being a "cinema experience."
Q: Will there be a lot of jump scares?
Based on Andy Serkis’s directing style in films like Venom: Let There Be Carnage, expect "tension" rather than just jump scares. However, Gollum’s movements are naturally twitchy and unpredictable, which can feel jumpy for sensitive viewers.
The Hunt for Gollum is a bold move back into Middle-earth that swaps epic scale for psychological depth. It’s not a "family movie" in the way Super Mario Bros. (movie) is, but for families with older kids who love deep lore and don't mind a bit of grit, it’s going to be the cinematic event of 2027.
Just maybe skip the raw fish for the movie snacks.