The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

PG-13

Released Dec 13, 2013

2 hr. 40 min.

Fantasy

Adventure

List

75%

252 Reviews

Tomatometer

85%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Having survived the first part of their unsettling journey, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and his companions (Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage) continue east. More dangers await them, including the skin-changer Beorn and the giant spiders of Milkwood. After escaping capture by the dangerous Wood Elves, Bilbo and the dwarves journey to Lake-town and, finally, to the Lonely Mountain, where they face the greatest danger of all: the fearsome dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch).

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Critics Consensus

While still slightly hamstrung by "middle chapter" narrative problems and its formidable length, The Desolation of Smaug represents a more confident, exciting second chapter for the Hobbit series.

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Ryland C

Just like Lord of the Rings ROTK, Peter Jackson went wild making this!!! Smaug looks so cool in this movie! The action was top notch! And there is a lot of cool shots. Plus you gotta love Ed Sheerans song in the credits of "I see fire".

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/17/24

Full Review

Dineth Hansana K

disappointed. I simply don't like this one.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

Full Review

Celine S

Smaug was def the highlight of this movie. Everytime hes on screen it never gets boring, awsome cgi. Really my favorite of the 3 movies, and I loved this one. It was really refreshing to see a well designed and made dragon. Sadly thats really rare in todays movies

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/18/24

Full Review

Rovo S

The biggest insult to lord of the rings

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/24

Full Review

Forged S

I don't know why The Hobbit was split into three movies. Originally, this was to be a duology with the first movie to be called, "An Unexpected Journey" and the second to be called, "There and Back Again." This had precedent in the books and made sense. So what changed? Was it at the request of the studio? Did Peter Jackson want to make another three-film epic? Not sure we'll ever find out. Personally, whatever the reason, it feels like they didn't trust the title stand up on it's own. And it's those moments in which movie breaks from the story for trip down memory lane, that feel disingenuous. This isn't a bad movie. However, this is a bad commercial for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and in no way needed to be three movies. That being said, I really enjoyed Smaug. The character was a standout for me. Unfortunately, despite the films subtitle, we don't spend near long enough character.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

Michelle S

If I could give this movie a 0 I would! The "trilogy" is utter garbage and doesn't hold a candle to the The Lord of the Rings trilogy! Anyone who says otherwise needs to learn what great movie is and what isn't. It's' not all Peter Jackson's fault as he was probably exhausted and burnt out before attempting to direct this monstrosity of a movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/24

Full Review

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Peter Jackson

Director

Ian McKellen

Gandalf

Martin Freeman

Bilbo Baggins

Richard Armitage

Thorin Oakenshield

Benedict Cumberbatch

Smaug

Evangeline Lilly

Tauriel

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

64%

83%

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

91%

95%

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

TRAILER

for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

95%

95%

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

94%

86%

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

52%

55%

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Jackson managed to do something that I never thought was possible--make me care about a Hobbit tale. He also delivered one of the best cliffhangers of the year. Kudos to that.

Sep 5, 2017

Full Review

Max Nelson

Film Comment Magazine

Nearly everyone in the film is creaking under the weight of the past.

Jan 14, 2014

Full Review

Bruce Diones

New Yorker

The tale has no emotional resonance, and the thinness of the plot (only five of the book's chapters are adapted here) and the colorless depictions of the leading characters do it no favors.

Dec 30, 2013

Full Review

Iván Kazi

EscribiendoCine

This sequel compensates and amply exceeds its predecessor. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 9/10

Dec 7, 2022

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

The special effects are superb, the action sequences had my heart racing, the stakes are high, and we spend more time with these wonderful characters.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 21, 2022

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Until hindsight allows us to reflect on the complete Hobbit trilogy, Jackson’s second entry is a satisfying tale that breezes by at 2 hours and 41 minutes.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 19, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Having survived the first part of their unsettling journey, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and his companions (Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage) continue east. More dangers await them, including the skin-changer Beorn and the giant spiders of Milkwood. After escaping capture by the dangerous Wood Elves, Bilbo and the dwarves journey to Lake-town and, finally, to the Lonely Mountain, where they face the greatest danger of all: the fearsome dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch).

Director: Peter Jackson
Executive Producer: Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins, Carolyn Blackwood
Screenwriter: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), WingNut Films, New Line Cinema
Rating: PG-13 (Frightening Images|Fantasy Action Violence)
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 13, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 25, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $258.4M
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital

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