By Marquee Editorial3 entries
The Hobbit movie franchise consists of three connected fantasy films that follow the hobbit Bilbo Baggins as he joins Gandalf the Grey and thirteen dwarves on a grand quest. Their journey begins when they are swept into an adventure to reclaim a mountain home and gold from the dragon Smaug, eventually leading to a massive battle involving men, elves, and orcs. Because these films form a single continuous narrative arc following the same characters and quest, release order is the only logical way to watch them. Viewing them in this sequence ensures the story unfolds naturally from the initial unexpected journey through the desolation of Smaug to the final battle for the mountain's treasure.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Movie, 2012
This first entry introduces Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, and the thirteen dwarves as they begin their epic quest to reclaim their mountain home from Smaug.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Movie, 2013
Sitting second, this entry follows the successful escape from the Misty Mountains, the acquisition of the One Ring, and the ongoing journey to confront Smaug.

Read what its ending meant, or search for another franchise.
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The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Movie, 2014
This final entry concludes the trilogy, focusing on the defense of Erebor's treasure against rival claimants and an advancing army of Orcs led by Azog the Defiler.
| # | Title | Type | Year | Rating | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey | Movie | 2012 | ★ 7.4 | Not yet |
| 2 | The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug | Movie | 2013 | ★ 7.6 | Not yet |
| 3 | The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies | Movie | 2014 | ★ 7.3 | Not yet |
Average audience ratings, in watch order.
You should start with the first film in the series, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which introduces the main characters and the beginning of the quest.
Yes, release order is required because the three films tell one continuous serialized story about Bilbo Baggins and the dwarves that must be watched sequentially.
None of the entries can be skipped, as each film directly continues the plot of the previous one and contributes essential story details to the overall quest.
Watch in this order: 1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, 2. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, 3. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.
This guide lists 3 entries, released between 2012 and 2014.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug has the highest average rating in this guide, at 7.6 out of 10.