The Lord of the Rings is the greatest fantasy release in the history of the genre, laying the foundations for just about every major work that has come out since and bringing millions of new fans on board for the ride. It's little wonder, then, that we have seen so many excellent adaptations since, from the beloved movie trilogy to a myriad of brilliant video games.
If you are interested in the wider world of Middle-earth, one of the best ways to experience it in 2026 is via the tabletop, where you actually have several options on the table, depending on how you want to play. Now, not one, but two of those are set to get major releases, pushing them forward into the future in the process.
In case you aren't familiar with The One Ring, it's essentially a TTRPG that uses a custom-built ruleset designed from the ground up to specifically suit Tolkien’s themes and approach to writing. The other major option is The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying 5E, which adapts the creation into the mechanical framework of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition.
In my humble opinion, The One Ring is the best option...
