A legend awakens once more.

This winter, Middle-earth returns to the big screen with The Hobbit: A King’s Reckoning — a bold new chapter that expands the epic Tolkien saga for a new generation. Nearly a decade after the acclaimed Hobbit trilogy concluded, visionary director Neil Marshall breathes fresh fire into the beloved world of dwarves, dragons, and destiny.

Set years after the Battle of the Five Armies, this standalone tale follows Thorin III Stonehelm, son of Dáin Ironfoot, as he struggles to protect the restored kingdom of Erebor from a rising darkness in the East. As whispers of a forgotten enemy stir once more beneath the mountains, alliances will be tested, ancient relics unearthed, and the fate of dwarf-kind hangs in the balance.

Starring Taron Egerton as the young and determined King Thorin III, the film also features powerhouse performances from Rosamund Pike, Ciarán Hinds, and a surprise return from Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins in a pivotal flashback role. With sweeping landscapes, practical effects, and the immersive depth fans have come to expect from Middle-earth, A King’s Reckoning is both a return and a revelation.

The film is produced by Warner Bros. Pictures in collaboration with Middle-earth Enterprises, with a screenplay by Philippa Boyens and original music by Howard Shore.

The Hobbit: A King’s Reckoning opens in theaters worldwide this December.