The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Movie, 2012, The Hobbit, Set in T.A. 2941
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is #4 of 9 in release order and #4 of 9 in chronological order in the Middle-earth.
The story
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.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey recap
Old Bilbo starts writing his story for Frodo. Sixty years earlier, Gandalf and thirteen dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield invade young Bilbo's home in the Shire and recruit him as a burglar on a quest to retake Erebor, the dwarf kingdom stolen by the dragon Smaug. Thorin hates the orc Azog, who killed his grandfather, and believes him dead. Bilbo saves the company from three trolls. The wizard Radagast finds a dark sorcerer, the Necromancer, at Dol Guldur, and at Rivendell Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel and Saruman discuss the threat. Captured by goblins under the Misty Mountains, Bilbo gets separated, finds a ring in Gollum's cave and wins a game of riddles; invisible, he chooses to spare Gollum's life and escapes.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ending explained
Azog, very much alive, ambushes the company and Thorin is nearly killed; Bilbo saves him, and Thorin accepts him at last. Eagles carry them to safety. From a high rock they see the Lonely Mountain in the distance. Inside, Smaug wakes under the gold, which leads straight into The Desolation of Smaug.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is streaming on HBO Max in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.8/10, Rotten Tomatoes 64%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, before The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
- Chronological order: after The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, before The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
What to watch before The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
In release order, the essentials before The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) are The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003).
Cast
- Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins
- Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey
- Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield
- James Nesbitt as Bofur
- Ken Stott as Balin
- Sylvester McCoy as Radagast the Brown
- Barry Humphries as The Great Goblin
- Dean O'Gorman as Fili
- Aidan Turner as Kili
- Graham McTavish as Dwalin
- Adam Brown as Ori
- Peter Hambleton as Gloin / William Troll
Directed by Peter Jackson.