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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Play trailer Poster for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey PG-13 Released Dec 14, 2012 2h 49m Fantasy Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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64% Tomatometer 302 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) lives a simple life with his fellow hobbits in the shire, until the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) arrives and convinces him to join a group of dwarves on a quest to reclaim the kingdom of Erebor. The journey takes Bilbo on a path through treacherous lands swarming with orcs, goblins and other dangers, not the least of which is an encounter with Gollum (Andy Serkis) and a simple gold ring that is tied to the fate of Middle Earth in ways Bilbo cannot even fathom.
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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Critics Consensus

Peter Jackson's return to Middle-earth is an earnest, visually resplendent trip, but the film's deliberate pace robs the material of some of its majesty.

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Critics Reviews

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J. Hoberman The New York Review of Books There is a good deal to be said about Peter Jackson's long-awaited and exceedingly long adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, most of it bad. Mar 28, 2017 Full Review Christopher Orr The Atlantic It frequently seems as though Jackson was less interested in making The Hobbit than in remaking his own fabulously successful Lord of the Rings series. Dec 14, 2012 Full Review Perri Nemiroff Shockya.com Two thirds is so packed with charming characters, stellar visuals and sense of adventure, it makes that other third come across as much more of a failure than it really is. Rated: 3/5 Dec 14, 2012 Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Patience is exactly the virtue required. Rated: 4/5 Oct 17, 2024 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review This is a cinematic world so fully realized that leaving it is a sad prospect. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 20, 2022 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies A wonderfully satisfying fantasy adventure that not only connects to the previous films, but charts its own ground with great effectiveness. Rated: 4/5 Aug 21, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Terry M Good family movie. Loved it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Bobby B Bloated, forced and unnecessary, it loses all that was good in the lord of the rings Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/25 Full Review Jason B While not quite up to the high standards set by Jackson in The Lord of the Rings, it still achieves an epic scale and has a sense of humor and likeable characters that help carry it. I originally saw this in the theater at 48 fps (a treat but also not my personal preference) and own the series on blueray. I watch it annually, and while it feels a little stretched at 3 films, I enjoy it. I will forever wonder how the film would have been different if Guillermo del Toro directed it as originally planned before last minute delays forced Jackson to step in. The sets, props, aesthetic definitely has the feel of del Toro but the trilogy itself I'm not so sure. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/27/25 Full Review Jez M "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" offers a mesmerizing return to the enchanting world of Middle-earth, drawing viewers back into the rich tapestry woven by J.R.R. Tolkien. From the moment I stepped into the Shire alongside Bilbo Baggins, I was captivated by the breathtaking visuals that Peter Jackson masterfully crafts, which make the lush landscapes feel alive and vibrant. The film beautifully sets the stage for the adventure to come, with a perfect blend of humor, action, and emotion, effectively introducing a new generation of characters, including the brave dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield and the enigmatic Gandalf. It is a testament to Jackson’s directorial prowess that he manages to evoke the same sense of wonder and epic scale that made "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy so beloved. Martin Freeman delivers a charmingly relatable performance as Bilbo, capturing the character's growth from a timid hobbit into an unexpected hero, while the haunting score by Howard Shore enhances the film's atmosphere, making every moment feel significant. For a fan of Tolkien's universe, this film not only delights with its engrossing storytelling and stunning artistry but also warmly rekindles nostalgia for the lore I’ve cherished in all the "Lord of the Rings" films. It's a captivating journey that perfectly bridges the gap between two iconic sagas, igniting the same sense of adventure and wonder that lies at the heart of Tolkien's timeless storytelling. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/26/25 Full Review Andrew R Opinions on this movie trilogy vary considerably. Diehard LOR devotees seem inexplicably aggrieved that the much shorter Hobbit book has created a LOR-length film and, as a result, produced a "bad" film. Personally, I can find no justification for this. Using the same logic, LOR should have faken weeks to watch, not hours. All kinds of literature have served as the inspiration for a cinematographic work, from " the film of thd book " right through to "based on a short story by" and even " on an idea by". Once The Hobbit film trilogy is viewed without forever comparing it with the book(s) preceding both it snd LOR, it stands up well and is vastly entertaining, while the viewer who initially fell in love with the books realises that in fact much has been reduced from the written tales, rather than artificially expanded! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/25 Full Review eraklis e Lovely warm cosy and adventurous not a slog at all Martin is amazing as well as bag end the troll scene when all the dwarfs come for dinner are notable scenes that stay with me Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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Movie Info

Synopsis Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) lives a simple life with his fellow hobbits in the shire, until the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) arrives and convinces him to join a group of dwarves on a quest to reclaim the kingdom of Erebor. The journey takes Bilbo on a path through treacherous lands swarming with orcs, goblins and other dangers, not the least of which is an encounter with Gollum (Andy Serkis) and a simple gold ring that is tied to the fate of Middle Earth in ways Bilbo cannot even fathom.
Director
Peter Jackson
Producer
Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner, Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson
Screenwriter
Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
WingNut Films
Rating
PG-13 (Intense Action Violence|Frightening Images|Intense Fantasy Violence)
Genre
Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 14, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 11, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$303.0M
Runtime
2h 49m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, SDDS, Datasat
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