The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Review (2013) — 72% Celluloid Score
Directed by Peter Jackson · 2013 ·
Is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug worth watching?
Yes. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) earns a 72% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audiences (85%) responded more warmly than critics (74%). See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as दि हॉबिट: एक अनोखी जंग El Hobbit 2: La Desolación de Smaug El hobbit: La desolación de Smaug Le Hobbit : La Désolation de Smaug Der Hobbit - Smaugs Einöde O Hobbit: A Desolação de Smaug ホビット 竜に奪われた王国 호빗: 스마우그의 폐허
Warner Bros. / New Line Cinema Where to watch
- HBO Max
Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home
Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home
Where to watch The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| India | Prime Video |
| Indonesia | Prime Video, Catchplay |
| Japan | Prime Video, U-NEXT |
| Malaysia | Prime Video |
| Nigeria | Prime Video |
| Philippines | Prime Video |
| South Africa | Prime Video |
| Thailand | Prime Video |
| Turkey | Prime Video, TV+, HBO Max |
| United Arab Emirates | Prime Video |
| United Kingdom | Prime Video |
| United States | HBO Max |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (74/100).
- General viewers mostly liked it (85%).
- Metascore is generally favorable (66/100).
- Celluloid Score 72% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.
Best for
- Epic-length viewers who want a big-screen experience
- Crowd-pleaser seekers — audiences liked it more than critics
Not ideal for
- Viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug worth watching?
Yes — The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug earns a 72% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits epic-length viewers who want a big-screen experience, but viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films may want to skip it. Read our full review (3/5).
Celluloid verdict
The strongest Hobbit chapter — barrel chases, Laketown intrigue, and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Smaug turn the middle act into real pulp fantasy.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Audiences (85%) responded more warmly than critics (74%).
What is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug about?
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.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Review: The Dragon Wakes
★★★☆☆
The Desolation of Smaug is the liveliest Hobbit film, with a thrilling barrel chase and Benedict Cumberbatch's superb dragon, though padding still slows the journey.
It depends. It is the best of the Hobbit trilogy and a treat for fantasy fans who enjoyed the first film, but it is long, padded and ends mid-story.
Guides for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.
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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: frequently asked questions
Is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug worth watching?
Yes. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) has a Celluloid Score of 72%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
Where can I watch The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?
In the United States, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug streams on HBO Max with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Prime Video in India; Prime Video, Catchplay in Indonesia; Prime Video, U-NEXT in Japan; Prime Video in Malaysia. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug runs 2 hours 41 minutes (161 minutes).
What is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug rated?
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is rated PG-13 in the United States, 12A in the UK, M in Australia, PG in Canada and 12 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is directed by Peter Jackson and stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly.
What is the Metascore for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?
Metacritic's Metascore for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is 66 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
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