Introduction
If you’re a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth and can’t wait to immerse yourself in The Hobbit trilogy, you’re not alone. However, deciding which Hobbit movie to watch first can be a daunting task, especially with extended editions and multiple viewing orders to choose from. Fortunately, we’re here to help.
This article will provide a comprehensive guide to determine which Hobbit movie to watch first. We’ll explore each Hobbit movie’s strengths and weaknesses, understand the chronology of the trilogy, discuss different viewing options, and provide our suggestions along the way.
Ranking the Hobbit Movies
To start, let’s take a look at each Hobbit movie and assess its strengths and weaknesses.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
The first Hobbit movie sets the mood for the trilogy, introducing the lovable hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who sets out on a quest to reclaim the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the dragon Smaug. The movie wonderfully captures the heart of the book, featuring incredible visuals, detailed world-building, and captivating action scenes. However, it does take some time to set the stage and may feel slow-paced to some viewers.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
In the second Hobbit movie, the journey continues, and we see Bilbo and the dwarves face new challenges and enemies. The movie features stunning visuals, intense action sequences, and the introduction of iconic characters like Legolas and Tauriel. However, some fans criticized the addition of these characters, arguing that they detract from the original story.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The final Hobbit movie is an epic conclusion to the trilogy, featuring large-scale battles and emotional character arcs. It ties up loose ends from the previous movies and provides closure to some of the characters’ storylines. However, some fans felt that the movie focused too heavily on action and spectacle, sacrificing character development and storytelling in the process.
Suggestions
Based on personal preferences, we suggest starting with the first Hobbit movie, An Unexpected Journey. It sets the stage for the story, and viewers will appreciate the world-building and character development. However, if you’re primarily interested in action and high-stakes adventure, you may prefer to start with The Desolation of Smaug. The Battle of the Five Armies is best watched after the first two movies to fully appreciate its emotional payoff.
Deciding Where to Start with the Hobbit
Before we dive into the chronological timeline of the Hobbit movies, let’s first take a look at the trilogy’s relation to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The Hobbit is a prequel to the Lord of the Rings, taking place 60 years before the events of the original trilogy. While the two trilogies are connected and share many themes, they tell separate stories and feature different characters.
Different Viewing Options
Now that we have an understanding of the Hobbit’s relation to Lord of the Rings, we can discuss different viewing options for the Hobbit trilogy.
– Release Order: Watch the Hobbit movies in the order they were released (An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, The Battle of the Five Armies).
– Chronological Order: Watch the Hobbit movies in chronological order (The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies).
– Mixed Order: Watch the movies in a mixed order (for example, starting with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, then watching The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey).
Suggestions
We suggest watching the Hobbit movies in release order. This is how the movies were intended to be viewed, and it allows viewers to experience the story as it was originally presented. However, if you want the story to follow a chronological timeline, watching them in chronological order is also a viable option.
Understanding the Chronological Timeline of the Hobbit
Now that we understand the relationship between the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, let’s take a detailed look at the chronological timeline of the Hobbit movies.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey takes place in the year 2941 of the Third Age, as Bilbo sets out on his journey with the dwarves.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug takes place in the year 2942 of the Third Age, as Bilbo and the dwarves continue their journey and encounter new friends and foes.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies takes place in the year 2941-2942 of the Third Age, concluding the journey as Bilbo and the dwarves prepare for the titular battle.
Which Hobbit Movie Comes First?
Based on the chronological timeline, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug comes first. However, as we previously discussed, we suggest sticking to release order for the best viewing experience.
Suggestions
We suggest watching the Hobbit movies in release order unless you’re primarily interested in experiencing the chronological timeline. In that case, start with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
Cut or Uncut? Which Hobbit Movie Should You Watch First?
Before deciding which Hobbit movie to watch first, viewers must also consider which version to watch. The Hobbit movies were released in both theatrical and extended editions, with the latter featuring more scenes and expanded storylines.
Theatrical vs. Extended Editions
The extended editions of The Hobbit trilogy provide more depth to the characters and storylines. However, they also add additional hours of content, which may not be ideal for all viewers. The theatrical editions, while shorter, still provide a comprehensive viewing experience and are a great starting point for newcomers.
Suggestions
We suggest starting with the theatrical editions of The Hobbit movies. These were the versions that were released in theaters and provide a complete story without overwhelming viewers with too much content. If you’re a die-hard fan and want to experience everything the movies have to offer, then the extended editions are a great option as well.
One Ring to Rule Them All: Which Hobbit Movie Begins the Journey?
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first Hobbit movie and officially begins the journey. It introduces us to Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, and the company of dwarves, setting up the story that will unfold over the course of the trilogy.
Suggestions
We suggest starting with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey for the best possible experience as it sets the scene and introduces the main characters.
Setting the Scene: Which Hobbit Movie Sets the Stage for the Trilogy?
While the first Hobbit movie sets up the story, the second Hobbit movie, The Desolation of Smaug, sets up the rest of the trilogy. The movie introduces new characters, including Tauriel and Legolas, and sets up the epic conclusion that fans have been waiting for.
Suggestions
We suggest starting with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and following it up with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug for the best experience.
First Things First: Which Hobbit Movie Should You Watch to Get Started?
To recap our suggestions, we suggest starting with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, followed by The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and concluding with The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. We also recommend watching the theatrical editions for a complete, yet manageable viewing experience.
Conclusion
In summary, deciding which Hobbit movie to watch first can be overwhelming, with multiple viewing options and extended editions to consider. We suggest starting with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and following the trilogy in release order to fully appreciate the story’s evolution. However, if you’re primarily interested in action and adventure, starting with The Desolation of Smaug is also a viable option. No matter which option you choose, immersing yourself in Middle-Earth will be a journey you won’t soon forget.