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Watch The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, and The Battle of the Five Armies in that order. It is both the trilogy’s release order and its story order.
The Hobbit movies in order
Watch Peter Jackson’s three The Hobbit films in this order:
![The Hobbit Trilogy [Theatrical and Extended Edition] [4K] [2012] [Blu-ray] [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rdCfX8XfL._SL160_.jpg)
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
This is both the trilogy’s release order and its story order. The films follow Bilbo Baggins and the company of dwarves from the start of their journey to Erebor through the conflict that leads to the Battle of the Five Armies.
| Order | Film | Release year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey | 2012 |
| 2 | The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug | 2013 |
| 3 | The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies | 2014 |
What is the correct order for the Hobbit trilogy?
There is no complicated viewing-order decision for the three Hobbit movies. Start with An Unexpected Journey, continue with The Desolation of Smaug, and finish with The Battle of the Five Armies.
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![The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy - SteelBook (Extended & Theatrical) [4K UHD Blu-Ray, Limited Edition]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51jnovc7FHL._SL160_.jpg)
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1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Bilbo is drawn into a quest with Thorin Oakenshield and a company of dwarves seeking to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and its treasure. This film establishes the company, their destination, and Bilbo’s connection to the larger history of Middle-earth.
2. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The journey continues toward Erebor, bringing Bilbo and the dwarves into direct danger from the dragon Smaug. It follows the events of the first film and should not be watched first.
3. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The trilogy concludes with the confrontation surrounding Erebor and the Battle of the Five Armies. Watch it last: it completes the dwarves’ quest and provides the bridge to the later history explored in The Lord of the Rings.
How to watch all six Peter Jackson Middle-earth movies
If you want to watch both trilogies, you have two sensible options. The choice depends on whether you want the story’s internal chronology or the order in which audiences originally saw the films.
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- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
This order begins with Bilbo’s story and then moves forward to Frodo’s. It is the most straightforward choice for viewers who want the events of Jackson’s Middle-earth films in timeline order.
Theatrical release order
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The Lord of the Rings trilogy was released first, followed by the Hobbit trilogy. Release order preserves the original audience experience, including the way the earlier trilogy introduced Middle-earth and its major mysteries before the later-set Hobbit films revisited that world.
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For a first-time viewer, either order works. Choose chronological order if you want a simple timeline; choose release order if you want to experience Jackson’s films in their original cinematic sequence. If you are watching only The Hobbit, release order and story order are identical.
Theatrical or extended editions?
Each Hobbit film has a theatrical cut and an extended cut. The extended editions are longer alternate versions of the same three films; they are not additional story installments and do not change the viewing sequence.
| Choose this | If you want |
|---|---|
| Theatrical editions | A more streamlined introduction and shorter individual movies |
| Extended editions | Additional material, longer runtimes, and a more complete collector-oriented presentation |
A practical first watch is the theatrical trilogy, followed by the extended editions on a rewatch. That approach lets you learn the main story without committing to the longer cuts immediately. Fans who already know Tolkien’s world or prefer completeness can start with the extended editions instead. The extended versions are not automatically the best choice for every viewer: they add material and runtime, while the theatrical versions prioritize pace.
Best way to own all three films
If you want both versions in one permanent collection, look for The Hobbit trilogy 4K Blu-ray set, specifically a listing that clearly says it includes the theatrical and extended editions. A complete trilogy collection is more convenient than assembling the films individually and is a good fit for viewers who want a durable copy for repeat viewings.
Check the exact listing before buying. Prices, sellers, included extras, digital codes, packaging, and regional availability can vary. A 4K UHD set also requires compatible UHD playback hardware. If your player or television does not support 4K discs, a standard Blu-ray, DVD, or digital purchase may be the more practical option.
Where to watch The Hobbit movies in the United States
Streaming and digital availability changes by film, edition, platform, territory, and date. The latest U.S. listings located for this guide included The Desolation of Smaug on HBO Max, HBO Max Amazon Channel, and YouTube TV, with rental or purchase options through Amazon Video, the Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Listings for The Battle of the Five Armies included Amazon Video rental, the Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, HBO Max-related subscription options, and other services.
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Those listings are not permanent guarantees. A platform may carry one film but not the others, or may offer a theatrical cut while listing the extended edition separately. Subscription access can also differ from a one-time rental or purchase. Check the current listing for each film immediately before you start watching, and confirm whether the displayed option requires a separate subscription, rental fee, or purchase.
For viewers who prefer not to use discs, you can also rent The Hobbit digitally or buy individual films or a digital trilogy bundle where available. Digital viewing is convenient, but the exact title, cut, resolution, audio options, and purchase rights depend on the service and territory.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Quick answers
- Which Hobbit movie comes first? The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012).
- Which Hobbit movie comes last? The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014).
- Are the Hobbit movies already in story order? Yes. Their release order is also their story order.
- Are the extended editions separate movies? No. They are longer alternate cuts of the same three films.
- Should I watch The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings first? Watch The Hobbit first for chronological story order, or The Lord of the Rings first to preserve theatrical release order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Hobbit movie should I watch first?
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) comes first. It is the opening film in both the trilogy’s story order and release order.
Should I watch The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings first?
Watch The Hobbit trilogy first, followed by The Lord of the Rings trilogy. That is chronological story order. For the original audience experience, reverse the trilogies and watch The Lord of the Rings first.
Are the extended Hobbit editions separate movies?
No. The extended editions are longer alternate cuts of the same three films, not additional installments. They should be watched in the same order as the theatrical versions.
Where can I watch The Hobbit movies?
Availability varies by title, cut, platform, territory, and date. Check each film’s current U.S. listing immediately before watching, and confirm whether the option is a subscription stream, rental, or purchase.
The Bottom Line
For the simplest three-film marathon, watch An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, and The Battle of the Five Armies. Choose theatrical editions for a more streamlined first viewing, extended editions for additional material, and verify current U.S. availability because streaming and digital listings change.
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