Rings of Power Season 4 pre-production begins this fall ahead of Season 3 launch

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon will begin pre-production on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 4 this fall — before Season 3 even arrives on Prime Video in November. The accelerated timeline aims to shorten the brutal waiting periods between seasons, with filming set for early 2027.

Why Amazon's rushing Season 4 production

With Season 3 not dropping until November 2026 — more than two years after Season 2 — Amazon clearly wants to avoid another multi-year gap. The company is betting that starting Season 4 pre-production now will streamline the process and keep audiences engaged with one of Prime Video's most expensive shows.

It's worth noting that Prime Video hasn't formally greenlit Season 4 yet, though the show was originally pitched as a five-season story. As we've covered before, the series sits "under Jeff Bezos' magical halo" with its future reportedly secure despite questions about viewing figures and its enormous $1 billion budget.

Moving ahead with Season 4 early shows confidence and could help shorten future gaps between seasons, while announcing plans so far ahead also feels partly like a strategy to reassure fans after criticism about the long waits rather than proof that delays are fully solved yet.

What's coming in Season 3

Season 3 takes place "at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, as the Dark Lord seeks to craft the One Ring that will give him the edge he needs to win the war and conquer all Middle-earth at last." The official synopsis jumps forward several years from Season 2's events, promising a more focused narrative around Sauron's ultimate power play.

Early footage shows Elendil (Peter McKenzie) wielding the legendary blade Narsil and preparing for battle. If you're wondering whether the wait will be worth it, we'll find out when all episodes drop simultaneously in November — no weekly release drama this time.

The wider Middle-earth expansion

It's a busy time for Tolkien's world, with two Lord of the Rings films also in development. The Hunt for Gollum brings back Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen for a prequel story due next year. Shadow of the Past follows as a sequel with flashbacks to moments cut from Peter Jackson's original trilogy.

Plus, there's a $100 million Lord of the Rings game reportedly in development with Abu Dhabi funding. Amazon's clearly committed to making Middle-earth a multimedia franchise, not just a streaming series.

When and where to watch in UAE

UAE viewers can stream The Rings of Power Season 3 on Prime Video starting November 2026, with all episodes available at once — no regional delays or weekly releases. The exact November date hasn't been announced, but it'll be available the same day as the global release.

As for Season 4, if the 2027 filming schedule holds and production runs smoothly, expect it to arrive sometime in 2028. That's still a significant gap, but shorter than the current three-year wait between seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does The Rings of Power Season 3 release?

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3 begins streaming in November 2026 on Prime Video, with all episodes available at once for UAE viewers.

Has The Rings of Power Season 4 been greenlit?

Prime Video hasn't formally announced Season 4, but the show was originally pitched as a five-season story and Amazon is reportedly committed to completing it.

When will Rings of Power Season 4 start filming?

Filming for Season 4 is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with pre-production starting in fall 2026 before Season 3 even airs.

How much does The Rings of Power cost?

The series reportedly has a budget of approximately $1 billion across its planned five seasons, making it one of the most expensive TV productions ever.

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