How to watch
The Hobbit Movie Watch Order in the correct order
How to watch the Hobbit movies in order
Last updated: September 27 2026
Written by: ChronoAlice
Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy returns to Middle-earth for Bilbo Baggins' unexpected journey, and it pairs naturally with the Lord of the Rings saga.
Adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved novel, The Hobbit trilogy follows Bilbo Baggins as he joins Thorin's company of dwarves and the wizard Gandalf to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug. Set sixty years before The Lord of the Rings, these films are a prequel adventure through the same richly imagined world.
π Release Order
Release order follows Bilbo's quest exactly as it unfolds across the three films.
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
The trilogy is one continuous story, so chronological order matches release order β but it all takes place before The Lord of the Rings.
π Story Chronology
Story chronology tracks Bilbo's journey to the Lonely Mountain and back in a single unbroken line.
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
Which Order Should You Choose?
Watch The Hobbit trilogy in release order β it's a straightforward, sequential adventure. If you're planning a full Middle-earth marathon, watch The Hobbit trilogy first, since it's a prequel, then continue into The Lord of the Rings to follow the timeline chronologically. For pure release-order nostalgia, however, many fans still start with Lord of the Rings, which came out first.
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