Overview
An unsuspecting hobbit embarks on an epic quest that will change his life forever.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- whimsical
- exhilarating
- menacing
- family movie night
- fantasy marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly admired the performances, world-building, and visual scale while finding the adaptation overextended and less focused than the source material or earlier Tolkien films.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bilbo begins as an unassuming burglar drawn from his comfortable home and proves unexpectedly capable during the quest and the encounter with Gollum.
The journey moves through dwarf kingdoms, goblin tunnels, the Wild, the Lonely Mountain, and a wider mythic geography populated by elves, orcs, wargs, and sorcerers.
Bilbo acquires Gollum's simple gold ring, whose unexpected powers and connection to Middle-earth's fate drive the film's larger stakes.
Thorin leads thirteen dwarves whose contrasting personalities generate ensemble comedy and collective momentum throughout the expedition.
Films like The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and why
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Shared high fantasy world-building, quest narrative, fellowship dynamics, magical creatures, and large-scale adventure spectacle.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Shared family-accessible fantasy adventure, reluctant hero, mythic quest, practical creatures, and expansive visual world-building.
Warcraft
Shared epic fantasy journey, dwarves and magical lore, dangerous wilderness, and spectacle-driven action.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Movie Details
- Director
- Peter Jackson
- Release Date
- 2012-12-12
- Runtime
- 169 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (20119)
Cast
- Martin Freeman
- Ian McKellen
- Richard Armitage
- James Nesbitt
- Ken Stott
- Sylvester McCoy
- Barry Humphries
- Dean O'Gorman
- Aidan Turner
- Graham McTavish
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey about?
- A comfort-loving hobbit joins a dwarf-led expedition and discovers unexpected courage on a perilous quest through Middle-earth.
- What is The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey?
- Critics broadly admired the performances, world-building, and visual scale while finding the adaptation overextended and less focused than the source material or earlier Tolkien films.
- Which films are like The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey?
- Films with a similar feel include The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Warcraft, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
- How long is The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey?
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey runs 169 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey?
- In United States, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
Browse Ember's collections
Movies like The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
- The Hobbit1977
- How to Train Your Dragon 22014
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone2001
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug2013
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers2002
- How to Train Your Dragon2010
- Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves2023
- How to Train Your Dragon2025
- Jack the Giant Slayer2013
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring2001
