“The Hobbit” is a fantasy adventure film series directed by Peter Jackson and based on the novel “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien. The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who is reluctantly recruited by a wizard named Gandalf to join a group of dwarves on a quest to reclaim their homeland from a dragon named Smaug.
The film series consists of three movies: “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” (2012), “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” (2013), and “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” (2014). Each movie has its own unique plot and character development, but they are all part of the same overarching story.
Now, let’s get into the recommended viewing order for “The Hobbit” movies.
Recommended Viewing Order for “The Hobbit” Movies
1. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”
The first movie in the series, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” is set in the peaceful land of the Shire, where Bilbo Baggins lives a comfortable life. One day, he is visited by the wizard Gandalf, who invites him on an adventure with a group of thirteen dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield. The dwarves are on a mission to reclaim their homeland of Erebor from the dragon Smaug, who destroyed their kingdom and stole their treasure.
The movie follows Bilbo and the dwarves as they journey through dangerous lands, facing obstacles such as trolls, goblins, and a mysterious creature named Gollum. Along the way, Bilbo discovers a magical ring that gives him the power of invisibility, which proves to be a valuable asset in their quest.
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” introduces the main characters and sets up the storyline for the rest of the series. It also establishes the tone and style of the movies, which are known for their stunning visual effects and epic battle scenes.
2. “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”
The second movie in the series, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” picks up where the first movie left off. Bilbo and the dwarves continue their journey to Erebor, encountering new challenges and enemies along the way.
One of the main plot points of this movie is the introduction of the character Tauriel, a female elf warrior who is not present in the original novel. Her storyline involves a love triangle between herself, Legolas, and a dwarf named Kili.
The movie also features the epic confrontation between Bilbo and Smaug, the dragon who has taken over the dwarves’ homeland. This scene is widely regarded as one of the highlights of the entire series, thanks to the incredible visual effects and the menacing performance by Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of Smaug.
3. “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”
The third and final movie in the series, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” is the culmination of the entire storyline. It takes place immediately after the events of the previous movie, with Smaug wreaking havoc on the nearby town of Lake-town.
The movie focuses on the epic battle between the various factions vying for control of Erebor. These include the dwarves, the elves, the humans, and the orcs, who are all fighting for different reasons.
“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” brings the story to a satisfying conclusion, tying up loose ends and resolving the character arcs of the main players. It also features some of the most intense and emotional scenes of the entire series, particularly the final confrontation between Bilbo and Thorin.
Why This Viewing Order Makes Sense
Now that we’ve gone over the plot of each movie, let’s talk about why this viewing order makes the most sense.
First of all, watching the movies in chronological order ensures that you will understand the storyline and character development. Each movie builds upon the events of the previous one, so watching them out of order could lead to confusion or a lack of investment in the characters.
Secondly, the recommended viewing order allows for a natural progression of the story. The first movie sets up the quest and introduces the characters, the second movie raises the stakes and introduces new elements, and the third movie brings everything to a satisfying conclusion. Watching them in any other order would disrupt this natural flow.
Finally, watching the movies in the recommended order allows you to fully appreciate the visual and technical achievements of the series. The special effects and battle scenes become more impressive as the series progresses, so watching them in order allows you to fully appreciate the evolution of the filmmaking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the recommended viewing order for “The Hobbit” movies is as follows: “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” and “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.” This order ensures that you will understand the storyline and character development, allows for a natural progression of the story, and allows you to fully appreciate the visual and technical achievements of the series. So grab some popcorn and settle in for an epic adventure!
Related content: