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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Play trailer Poster for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug PG-13 2013 2h 40m Fantasy Adventure Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 251 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Having survived the first part of their unsettling journey, Bilbo Baggins and his companions continue east. More dangers await them, including the skin-changer Beorn and the giant spiders of Mirkwood. 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.
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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

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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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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online 09/05/2017
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. Go to Full Review Max Nelson Film Comment Magazine 01/14/2014
Nearly everyone in the film is creaking under the weight of the past. Go to Full Review Bruce Diones The New Yorker 12/30/2013
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. Go to Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson 10/17/2024
4/5
The continued character development is another perk of the patience of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Go to Full Review JD Duran InSession Film 08/19/2024
B-
The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug was anything but impressive. Just because you have the resources and abilities to do anything with CGI, doesn’t mean you should go crazy with it. Go to Full Review Iván Kazi EscribiendoCine 12/07/2022
9/10
This sequel compensates and amply exceeds its predecessor. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kurt D Jan 12 Great story and acting, wish it was the extended version. See more Ivan Jan 11 Without spoilers. There is a lot that is not in the book of course. The Smaug scenes are amazing but it can be much shorter See more Movie Guy Jan 11 Great on the big screen. See more Lucy Jan 11 Love love love this movie See more atusa D @Atusa 5d If I had to sum up my feelings on the second Hobbit film, it’s this: complicated. As a longtime fan of The Lord of the Rings and its world, I was eager to see how Peter Jackson would handle The Hobbit. I’m not a strict book purist—I haven’t even read the novel—but even on first viewing of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, it was clear the story had been stretched. What might have worked as two films became a trilogy, shaped in part by studio pressure from Warner Bros.. That meant added characters like Legolas and invented ones like Tauriel. Some changes make sense—film and books are different mediums. Others, like the forced love triangle, feel unnecessary and distracting. Still, despite its flaws, DOS is visually striking and confidently directed. Jackson’s transitions flow effortlessly, and even quieter moments hold your attention. For all my reservations, it remains a very enjoyable experience. See more juan T @johnmay Feb 24 worst thing done by jackson See more Read all reviews
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Jackson

Director

Ian McKellen

Gandalf

Martin Freeman

Bilbo Baggins

Richard Armitage

Thorin Oakenshield

Benedict Cumberbatch

Smaug

Evangeline Lilly

Tauriel

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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

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Movie Info

Synopsis Having survived the first part of their unsettling journey, Bilbo Baggins and his companions continue east. More dangers await them, including the skin-changer Beorn and the giant spiders of Mirkwood. 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.
Director
Peter Jackson
Producer
Fran Walsh, Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner
Screenwriter
Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), WingNut Films
Rating
PG-13 (Frightening Images|Fantasy Action Violence)
Genre
Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 13, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 25, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$258.4M
Runtime
2h 40m
Sound Mix
Datasat, Dolby Digital
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