The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Review
★★★☆☆ 3/5
The strongest Hobbit chapter.
Where to watch The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Streaming: HBO Max
By region: HBO Max in the United States; HBO Max in the United Kingdom
Full scores & availability on the movie page.
Guides for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug worth watching?
Yes — 74% Celluloid Score. The Dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf have successfully escaped the Misty Mountains, and Bilbo has gained the One Ring. They all continue their journey to get their gold back from the Dragon, Smaug.
Directed by Peter Jackson, the film sits on Celluloid’s Lord of the Rings / Middle-earth watch order alongside the Jackson trilogies and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
Verdict
The strongest Hobbit chapter — barrel chases, Laketown intrigue, and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Smaug turn the middle act into real pulp fantasy. Pair it with our full franchise watch order and where-to-watch notes on the movie page.
If you liked The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Ranked by genre overlap and Celluloid Score — full “movies like The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” page.
Featured The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Adventure, Fantasy · 3h 21m
Featured The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Adventure, Fantasy · 2h 59m
Featured The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Adventure, Fantasy · 2h 59m
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Adventure, Fantasy · 2h 49m
Streaming: HBO Max. Regional notes: HBO Max in the United States; HBO Max in the United Kingdom.