The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

PG-13

2012

2h 49m

Fantasy

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

64%

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302 Reviews

83%

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250,000+ Ratings

Bilbo Baggins lives a simple life with his fellow hobbits in the Shire, until the wizard Gandalf 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 and a simple gold ring that is tied to the fate of Middle Earth in ways Bilbo cannot even fathom.

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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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J. Hoberman

The New York Review of Books

03/28/2017

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.

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Christopher Orr

The Atlantic

12/14/2012

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.

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Perri Nemiroff

Shockya.com

12/14/2012

3/5

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.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

04/26/2025

It’s big, bloated even, impressively produced but overburdened with import and foreshadowing.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

10/17/2024

4/5

Patience is exactly the virtue required.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

09/20/2022

3.5/4

This is a cinematic world so fully realized that leaving it is a sad prospect.

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William

Jan 10

Great intro to The Hobbit world!

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Terry M

02/06/2023

Good family movie. Loved it.

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didier L

@RT18203544 4d

Rewatching The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey reminded me why I enjoy returning to Middle-earth. It may not have the same emotional weight or tight storytelling as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but it’s still a fun and visually stunning adventure. Martin Freeman is perfectly cast as Bilbo, bringing warmth, humor, and heart to the role. The slower pace in the first half won’t work for everyone, but I appreciated the time spent building the world and introducing the characters. The riddle scene with Gollum remains one of the film’s highlights. Not flawless, but an entertaining and charming start to Bilbo’s journey.

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Gillian S.

@RT22859558 6d

From the moment I found out they were going to try to turn a 300 page book into an 8 hour trilogy, I had a feeling this was going to be an inflated money grab. And it was. They either had to make stuff up or take one page moments from the book and stretch them into 30 minute scenes. If you want a deep and honorable representation of The Hobbit, watch the animated movie.

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Eleanor B.

@RT72170909 6d

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING ACTING

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Aprilx21st T

@Aprilx21st May 29

I have to watch this series together with Lord of the Rings every time. Love them.

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Peter Jackson

Director

Ian McKellen

Gandalf

Martin Freeman

Bilbo Baggins

Richard Armitage

Thorin Oakenshield

Ken Stott

Balin

Graham McTavish

Dwalin

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Synopsis

Bilbo Baggins lives a simple life with his fellow hobbits in the Shire, until the wizard Gandalf 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 and a simple gold ring that is tied to the fate of Middle Earth in ways Bilbo cannot even fathom.

Director: Peter Jackson
Producer: Fran Walsh, Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner
Screenwriter: Philippa Boyens, 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