Overview
A perilous journey unfolds as a hobbit and his companions confront ancient evils and a fearsome dragon.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- adventurous
- ominous
- witty
- fantasy marathon
- blockbuster night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film visually spectacular and stronger than its predecessor, while viewing its prolonged action and episodic storytelling as uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film develops the journey of Bilbo and Thorin's company while also following Gandalf's separate investigation in the south.
Smaug dominates the Lonely Mountain sequence through Benedict Cumberbatch's vocal performance and extensive visual-effects work.
Mirkwood, Lake-town, and the treasure-filled Lonely Mountain are presented as large-scale, highly detailed environments.
The journey toward the dragon's lair and the unresolved dangers surrounding the company lead directly into the next installment.
Films like The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and why
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
shared epic fantasy world-building, quest structure, ensemble fellowship, and large-scale creature spectacle
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
shared Tolkien mythology, high-fantasy adventure, dwarves, elves, and digitally enhanced action set pieces
Dragonheart
shared dragon-centered fantasy adventure, treasure-driven conflict, and spectacular creature effects
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
shared heroic fantasy quest, mythic kingdoms, monsters, and propulsive blockbuster spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Peter Jackson
- Release Date
- 2013-12-11
- Runtime
- 161 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (14617)
Cast
- Ian McKellen
- Martin Freeman
- Richard Armitage
- Benedict Cumberbatch
- Orlando Bloom
- Evangeline Lilly
- Lee Pace
- Luke Evans
- Stephen Fry
- Ken Stott
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, 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: The Desolation of Smaug about?
- A perilous Middle-earth expedition brings Bilbo and Thorin’s company face to face with the cunning dragon Smaug.
- What is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug as breakneck, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?
- Critics broadly found the film visually spectacular and stronger than its predecessor, while viewing its prolonged action and episodic storytelling as uneven.
- Which films are like The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?
- Films with a similar feel include The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Dragonheart, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
- How long is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug runs 161 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?
- In United States, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
Browse Ember's collections
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