# The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey-2012/
Last reviewed: 2026-07-24

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 69% |
| Critic Score | 64% |
| Audience Score | 83% |
| Metascore | 58/100 |
| Letterboxd | 3.2/5 |
| IMDb | 7.8/10 |
| Director | Peter Jackson |
| Genres | Adventure, Fantasy, Action |
| Runtime | 169 min |

## Quick answer

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) earns a 69% Celluloid Score — Recommended. Jackson’s return to Middle-earth opens soft — longer and lighter than Fellowship, but still a grand gateway into Bilbo’s Critics and audiences diverge (64% critic vs 83% audience). Metascore 58/100. Directed by Peter Jackson.

## Critics consensus

Jackson’s return to Middle-earth opens soft — longer and lighter than Fellowship, but still a grand gateway into Bilbo’s adventure.

## Synopsis

Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit enjoying his quiet life, is swept into an epic quest by Gandalf the Grey and thirteen dwarves who seek to reclaim their mountain home from Smaug, the dragon.

## Cast

Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Serkis, Cate Blanchett, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott

## Where to watch

Global: HBO Max
the United States: HBO Max
the United Kingdom: HBO Max

## Critic reviews on Celluloid: 1

## Common questions

**Is The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey worth watching?**
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey holds a 69% Celluloid Score. Jackson’s return to Middle-earth opens soft — longer and lighter than Fellowship, but still a grand gateway into Bilbo’s adventure.

**What is The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey about?**
Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit enjoying his quiet life, is swept into an epic quest by Gandalf the Grey and thirteen dwarves who seek to reclaim their mountain home from Smaug, the dragon.

**Who directed The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey?**
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) was directed by Peter Jackson.

**What is the Celluloid Score of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey?**
69% — the average of five public sources: critics 64%, audience 83%, Metascore 58/100, Letterboxd 3.2/5, and IMDb 7.8/10.

**Where can I watch The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey?**
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is streaming on HBO Max; on HBO Max in the United States; on HBO Max in the United Kingdom. Availability varies by region.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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