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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

A reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home and the gold within it from the dragon Smaug. A reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home and the gold within it from the dragon Smaug. A reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home and the gold within it from the dragon Smaug.

• Peter Jackson
• Philippa Boyens
• Martin Freeman
• Ian McKellen
• Richard Armitage
• 1.5K User reviews
• 675 Critic reviews
• 58 Metascore
• 11 wins & 76 nominations total

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia The production team returned to the same shooting location for Hobbiton as they used in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The land is part of a farm, which the owners allowed to be transformed into the Hobbiton set by The Lord of the Rings production crew in the late 1990s. After filming wrapped on the first trilogy, the farm's owners turned the land into a Tolkien tourism spot, offering guided tours of the Hobbiton set. With the crew from The Hobbit trilogy making improvements and additions to the aging Hobbiton set, the farm owners were happy to temporarily close down their tourism business, so filming could take place there again.
• Goofs When the party is captured by the Goblins and Bilbo crawls away, a Goblin's CGI foot passes through the bridge he's walking on.

Galadriel : Mithrandir? Why the Halfling?

Gandalf : I don't know. Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.

• Crazy credits Lists the publishers for all of The Hobbit in all the different languages.
• Alternate versions Also shown in a 3D and 48 fps version, but the content is the same.
• Connections Edited into The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Extended Edition Scenes (2013)
• Soundtracks Blunt the Knives Lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkien from "The Hobbit" Music composed by Stephen Gallagher (as Stephen Gallagher) Produced by Stephen Gallagher (as Stephen Gallagher) Performed by Jed Brophy , Adam Brown , John Callen , Mark Hadlow , Peter Hambleton , Stephen Hunter , William Kircher , Graham McTavish , James Nesbitt , Dean O'Gorman , Ken Stott , Aidan Turner

User reviews 1.5K

• Aug 24, 2020
• Why are the names of the blue wizards are not mentioned in this film?
• When Gandalf talks to Bilbo about Sting, he mentions that "Elvish blade glows blue when orcs or goblins are nearby", should this rule apply to the Foe-hammer and the Goblin-cleaver as well?
• Are the Goblins different from the Orcs?
• December 14, 2012 (United States)
• New Zealand
• United States
• arabuloku.com
• Official Facebook
• The Hobbit: Part 1
• Mangaotaki, Waikato, New Zealand
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
• New Line Cinema
• WingNut Films
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $180,000,000 (estimated)
• $303,030,651
• $84,617,303
• Dec 16, 2012
• $1,017,106,749

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 49 minutes
• Dolby Atmos

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Cast & crew.

Martin Freeman

Bilbo Baggins

Ian McKellen

Richard Armitage

Thorin Oakenshield

Graham McTavish

Tolkien tale isn't as great as LOTR, but better for tweens.

• Average 6.5
• Reviews 305

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© 2012 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

• Denver Post Lisa Kennedy To its own narrative detriment, "The Hobbit" works hard to lay the framework for what will follow. Certainly that's one way to set out on a trilogy, but it's surely not the best.
• San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle If you loved the earlier films, these are moments you will hold on to, but they're very few, and they're not enough.
• Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer My first thought in watching The Hobbit was: Do we really need this movie? It was my last thought, too.
• Richard Roeper.com Richard Roeper There's no denying the majesty in Peter Jackson's visuals but he's taken a relatively slim children's book and stretched it beyond the limits.
• Washington Post Ann Hornaday "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" has finally arrived, not on wings of gossamer fancy but with a hairy-footed thud.
• Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com Cary Darling His first installment of The Hobbit, Tolkien's relatively slim precursor to the sprawling "Rings" saga, is a technically impressive but bloated adventure that makes you feel every one of its 169 minutes.
• Dallas Morning News Chris Vognar I was impressed with how much of the story's good humor Jackson and Co. manage to weave into the spectacle. It's there in the close shave with a gang of hungry trolls, and it really lifts off once Andy Serkis' uncanny Gollum enters the picture.
• Rolling Stone Peter Travers Part One of director Peter Jackson's planned film trilogy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit forces audiences to run an obstacle course before the fun kicks in.
• Shockya.com Perri Nemiroff Two thirds is so packed with charming characters, stellar visuals and sense of adventure, it makes that other third come across as much more of a failure than it really is.
• Movie Mom Nell Minow Jackson himself seems to miss the forest of the story for the literal trees.
• The New York Review of Books J. Hoberman There is a good deal to be said about Peter Jackson's long-awaited and exceedingly long adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, most of it bad.
• The Atlantic Christopher Orr It frequently seems as though Jackson was less interested in making The Hobbit than in remaking his own fabulously successful Lord of the Rings series.
• leonardmaltin.com Leonard Maltin Are the creatures amazingly rendered? Yes. Have we seen their lifelike equal onscreen before? No.
• Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern An overlong adventure enlivened by wonders.
• CNN.com Tom Charity An Unexpected Journey is a major comedown, a muddle-headed and cumbersome piece of filmmaking that betrays Jackson's mercenary motives -- Tolkien's book, too.
• NPR Bob Mondello Between its lighter tone and a decade's worth of improvements in digital film techniques, there should be enough of a novelty factor to delight most fans.
• Slant Magazine R. Kurt Osenlund The tone of Jackson's latest is, appropriately, much more jovial than that of Rings, which unfolds in an era far more stricken with despair.
• New York Times A.O. Scott Tolkien's inventive, episodic tale of a modest homebody on a dangerous journey has been turned into an overscale and plodding spectacle.
• Chicago Reader Ben Sachs Little about the storytelling suggests a beating heart beneath the visuals; once the journey has begun, the characters find themselves in life-threatening danger with stupefying regularity.
• Detroit News Tom Long The last hour of this movie is pretty much nonstop, and it's a gas.

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Want to watch ' The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ' in the comfort of your own home? Discovering a streaming service to buy, rent, download, or view the Peter Jackson-directed movie via subscription can be tricky, so we here at Moviefone want to do right by you. Below, you'll find a number of top-tier streaming and cable services - including rental, purchase, and subscription alternatives - along with the availability of 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' on each platform when they are available. Now, before we get into all the details of how you can watch 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' right now, here are some details about the New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, WingNut Films, Warner Bros. Pictures fantasy flick. Released December 6th, 2012, 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' stars Ian McKellen , Martin Freeman , Richard Armitage , James Nesbitt The PG-13 movie has a runtime of about 2 hr 49 min, and received a user score of 74 (out of 100) on TMDb, which assembled reviews from 17,921 top users. What, so now you want to know what the movie's about? Here's the plot: "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' is currently available to rent, purchase, or stream via subscription on Spectrum On Demand, Vudu, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Max , AMC on Demand, Microsoft Store, Apple iTunes, HBO Max Amazon Channel, and YouTube .

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The hobbit collection.

The Hobbit collection is a three-part epic fantasy-adventure film directed and produced by Peter Jackson and based on J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel of the same name. The trilogy of films are set in Middle-earth 60 years before "The Lord of the Rings", and will act as a prequel to Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

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2 hr 49 min

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The adventure follows Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim Erebor with the help of Gandalf the Grey and 13 Dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield.

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Starring: Ian Mckellen , Martin Freeman , Richard Armitage

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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Watch The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with a subscription on Max, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

What to Know

Peter Jackson's return to Middle-earth is an earnest, visually resplendent trip, but the film's deliberate pace robs the material of some of its majesty.

Critics Reviews

Audience reviews, cast & crew.

Peter Jackson

Ian McKellen

Martin Freeman

Bilbo Baggins

Richard Armitage

Thorin Oakenshield

Graham McTavish

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Movie news & guides, this movie is featured in the following articles..

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

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.

Genre: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

Actor: Barry Humphries Cate Blanchett Christopher Lee Ian Holm Ian McKellen James Nesbitt Ken Stott Martin Freeman Richard Armitage Sylvester McCoy

Director: Andy Serkis , Carolynne Cunningham , Guy Campbell , Peter Jackson , Victoria Sullivan

Country: USA

Duration: 169 min

Quality: HD

Release: 2012

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Where does The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey rank today? The JustWatch Daily Streaming Charts are calculated by user activity within the last 24 hours. This includes clicking on a streaming offer, adding a title to a watchlist, and marking a title as 'seen'. This includes data from ~1.3 million movie & TV show fans per day.

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is 227 on the JustWatch Daily Streaming Charts today. The movie has moved up the charts by 385 places since yesterday. In Canada, it is currently more popular than Ocean's Eleven but less popular than Pompeii.

A reluctant hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home - and the gold within it - from the dragon Smaug.

Videos: Trailers, Teasers, Featurettes

Streaming Charts The JustWatch Daily Streaming Charts are calculated by user activity within the last 24 hours. This includes clicking on a streaming offer, adding a title to a watchlist, and marking a title as 'seen'. This includes data from ~1.3 million movie & TV show fans per day.

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Special Features

The appendices part 7, the appendices part 8, new zealand: home of middle-earth, rotten tomatoes® score.

This is a cinematic world so fully realized that leaving it is a sad prospect.

A wonderfully satisfying fantasy adventure that not only connects to the previous films, but charts its own ground with great effectiveness.

When it comes to the fantasy genre, it really doesn't get more epic than this.

This is a film for true Tolkien connoisseurs.

In the end you're left wondering how it went that way, and how in the hell are they going to squeeze two more movies out of this?

'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' is an expected journey that radiates entertainment, majesty and wonder. [Full review in Spanish]

While it doesn't have the same sense of urgency and darkness as the LOTR trilogy, An Unexpected Journey is a fun and welcomed adventure, filled with humor, spectacular visuals and great action sequences. [Full review in Spanish]

Despite a few minor flaws, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a superb (and suitably epic) addition to Peter Jackson's past adaptations of Tolkien's work. See it in 3D and 48fps for the ultimate experience.

It feels more scattershot than Jackson's prior films, a pastiche of set pieces that don't add up to a unified story.

It feels much like a gentler, more humorous and watered-down version of The Fellowship of the Ring.

Additional Info

• Genre : Action, Fantasy, Drama
• Release Date : December 14, 2012
• Languages : English
• Captions : English, Spanish
• Audio Format : 5.1

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The Hobbit: 20 Differences Between The Book & The Movies

• From Gandalf seeking out Bilbo for the quest to the dwarven contract and Bilbo leaving Bag-End, key changes enhance the cinematic experience.
• Film additions like the White Council and new characters like Tauriel and Azog add depth and dramatic tension, although some changes may divide fans.
• Sting's history, Bilbo's age difference, and Frodo's cameo all depict divergences from the original book, shaping the cinematic adaptation.

When it comes to The Hobbit book vs movie there are many notable differences, and some are quite surprising. When Peter Jackson announced that he’d be directing a trilogy based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hobbit , the response was one of excitement. However, the trilogy left some fans of the book were confused, given how little the amount of source material was available to flesh out such an ambitious project. In his transformation of the book into a trilogy of big-budget Hollywood action blockbusters, Jackson took many creative liberties.

This inevitably meant that the differences between The Hobbit book and movies were stark. Jackson implemented changes galore, adding in plenty of new content which was loosely adapted from Tolkien's other works. Some of it hit the mark, while the rest felt like superfluous filler. There's no question that in the case of The Hobbit book vs movie, Jackson did his best to please audiences. However, there were a few alterations that many fans didn't feel fit the story at all, making it seem like Jackson was trying to add extraneous connections to LOTR to capitalize on its success.

11 Lord Of The Rings Movie Changes Peter Jackson Was Right To Make

Gandalf's reason for seeking out bilbo, the gandalf of the novel never met child bilbo.

Gandalf's reasons for finding Bilbo are different when looking at The Hobbit book vs movie. In the novelization of The Hobbit , it is established that Gandalf seeks out Bilbo for the quest, particularly because of a memory he had of his mother. According to Gandalf, he was impressed by Belladonna Took, because of her adventurous spirit and personality, and he hoped that side would come out if Bilbo joined them on an adventure.

In the film, Gandalf reminisces about knowing Bilbo as a young boy, who adored the thought of danger, excitement, and adventure. The change isn't a huge one, but it does say a lot about Bilbo's character as he appeared in the book, versus the film adaptation. Either way, it's an opportunity for Gandalf to deliver one of his best lines of the trilogy .

The Dwarven Contract

Peter jackson made the paperwork longer for comic effect.

Another one of the biggest differences between The Hobbit book and movie is the dwarven contract. The dwarves play a central role in both The Hobbit movies and the original book, with the presence of the race as a whole far greater than it was in Lord of the Rings. In fact, it's partially due to a contract with the dwarves that Bilbo leaves the shire in the first place. The details of the dwarven contract with Bilbo Baggins are never explicitly specified, which is why it's so comical to see the film version go on forever when unrolled.

It was Jackson's way of injecting some comedy into the film, especially at such an early start to the story.

It was Jackson's way of injecting some comedy into the film, especially at such an early start to the story. In the book, the contract is a simple note left on his mantle, with two short paragraphs acting as content. That's a stark contrast to the film version, and one of the few changes Jackson made that actually helped make the story better.

Bilbo Leaving Bag-End

In peter jackson's version of the tale hobbits never travel light.

Even the way that Bilbo leaves Bag-End contrasts in the case of The Hobbit book vs movie. This change was small, but noticeable, and it occurs when Bilbo finally decides to make a go of it and join the dwarves on their adventure. In the film, he races after them with a backpack full of stuff and catches up with them before they get too far down the road. In the book, however, it is said that Bilbo left Bag-End without even a handkerchief in his pocket.

In truth, Jackson's change was probably for the best, as any Hobbit would never run off without a few of the comforts of home. It's established in the Lord of the Rings movies that Hobbits enjoy their creature comforts, with the likes of Samwise Gamgee bemoaning his of any food other than Lambas bread even while in grave danger, and Pippin insisting on second breakfast. With this context in the cinematic franchise, it makes much more sense that Bilbo left The Shire well-prepared.

Knowledge Of The Necromancer

Gandalf already knew about the antagonist in the book.

Sauron is a mystery to those who only watched the movies , but changing Gandalf's knowledge of the Necromancer arguably broke canon when it comes to The Hobbit book vs movie. In The Hobbit films, Gandalf learns of the Necromancer when he speaks to Radagast, which is what Peter Jackson used as the reason for Gandalf leaving Thorin and company.

This change was likely made to ensure audiences weren't lost along the way as the story unfolded

However, in the book, Gandalf is already well aware of the Necromancer. In J.R.R Tolkien's version of The Hobbit , Gandalf has already visited Dol Guldur, and heard of the Necromancer, as it was there that he encountered Thráin, the father of Thorin Oakenshield, and received the map and key that he later gives to Thorin . This change was likely made to ensure audiences weren't lost along the way as the story unfolded, as having to flashback to Gandalf's goings-on prior to the events of The Hobbit would have required even more screentime in an already lengthy trilogy.

Dwalin's Beard

A subtle yet noticable aesthetic difference.

Though it was not a massive change that impacted the plot, there was one element of Dwalin's appearance that classifies as one of the differences between The Hobbit book and movie. Interestingly enough, the book says, " It was a dwarf with a blue beard tucked into a golden belt, and very bright eyes under his dark-green hood. " This is a stark change from how Dwalin is shown in the movie, with a brunette beard and dark eyes.

While some readers have argued over the ages that it wasn't meant to literally be blue, others believe Dwalin's beard really was meant to be that way, in order to seem "otherworldly." When the script was written for the Hobbit film, Jackson opted to take out a lot of the whimsy to make it more in line with The Lord of the Rings , meaning Dwalin's blue beard was one of the first things to go.

Contacting The Eagles For Help

Once again the eagles created conversations in the lord of the rings prequel.

Another one of the biggest changes in the case of The Hobbit book vs movie sees Gandalf acting when he canonically did not. When Azog and his orcs descend upon the party at the end of the first Hobbit film, Gandalf contacts Gwaihir, the Lord of the Eagles , via a carrier moth. This was done primarily to act as a nod to the first Lord of the Rings film, where Gandalf escapes imprisonment from the rooftop of Orthanc, in much the same way.

Given Gandalf's relationship with the Eagles, the film version is probably the better one, despite the small change made to Tolkien and Lord of the Rings canon.

In the book, however, Gandalf never makes the attempt. Rather, Gwaihir himself notices the ruckus from afar, and soars through the skies to come to their rescue. It's hard to tell which version is better, but given Gandalf's relationship with the Eagles, the film version is probably the better one, despite the small change made to Tolkien and Lord of the Rings canon.

Lord Of The Rings: 25 Most Powerful Beings In The Tolkien Universe, Ranked

Thranduil's face, almost everything about the elven lord has been expanded.

More key differences between The Hobbit book and movie include Thranduil having a much more fleshed-out backstory that isn't in the novels. Interestingly, Thranduil is never referred to by name in The Hobbit book, but is simply called "the Elvenking." However, there's an even bigger difference between the text and the movie, which is Thranduil's burned face that he hides with magic.

Thranduil attributes this to the "fire serpents in the North," but this is not mentioned at all in the book, nor is there any record of elves being able to hide old wounds. It was primarily added to give Thranduil a more menacing and obsessive character, even though he proves himself to be one of the most powerful heroes in The Hobbit . Thranduil is one of several character in The Hobbit Peter Jackson added more dimensions to in order to turn a single book into a trilogy of movies, and it's one change that definitely makes the story better.

Tricking The Trolls

The hobbit movies granted bilbo a great hero moment.

The great The Hobbit book vs movie debate also sees a cunning act perpetrated by Bilbo originally belonging to Gandalf. In The Hobbit movies, it is Bilbo Baggins who cleverly tricks the trolls as they discuss the best ways to cook the dwarves . Eventually, the sun rises, and they are caught unawares, leading to their permanent demise.

Giving him this achievement certainly makes him seem more cunning and valuable to the overall quest.

In the book, it is Gandalf who actually deceives the trolls by throwing his voice, pretending to be one of them, and making them argue among themselves until dawn arrives , and turns them to stone. In the films, Gandalf was not present during the scene. The reason for this change is most likely to make Bilbo seem like a more competent hero, and giving him this achievement certainly makes him seem more cunning and valuable to the overall quest.

The White Council

Saruman and galadriel make an appearance the book doesn't include.

Differences between The Hobbit book and movie also see the inclusion of the White Council. The Hobbit movies feature the White Council, with both Saruman and Galadriel present in Elrond's home of Rivendell. However, neither Saruman nor Galadriel are mentioned in The Hobbit book, and the White Council does not meet during the narrative.

Though this is different from the book, it does act as fan service, as it means that viewers got to see some more of their favorite characters from The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, as well as adding some more depth and drama to. The lack of the White Council in The Hobbit may also be because Tolkien wrote The Hobbit several decades before Lord of the Rings. Including Galadriel and Saruman in the cinematic prequel deepens ties between the two, and it's entirely possible Tolkien would have included them had the order he wrote the stories been reversed.

Jackson Added A Lot Of Material To Turn The Hobbit Into A Trilogy

Arguably the most glaring change brought up in The Hobbit book vs movie debate is the length. The Hobbit is a rather short book, especially in comparison to the intimidating size of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy . The question remains as to why Jackson or the studio would ever think it was a good idea to flesh the story out across three films.

Opinions on whether the additional length of The Hobbit trilogy definitely vary.

By placing various amounts of filler in between established moments from the book, Jackson tried to fill in the blanks and create a stronger story. In truth, the entire tale could have been told in two parts, avoiding unnecessary filler and focusing on a tight narrative. Opinions on whether the additional length of The Hobbit trilogy definitely vary. However, it does make sense from a business perspective for obvious reasons (as it meant 3 movies worth of profits), and it does seem thematically fitting that the prequel to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy is also one.

The Prologue

A welcome and scene-setting addition to the story.

One of the most welcomed differences between The Hobbit book and movie was the addition of a prologue. The world of Lord of the Rings is particularly complex, which is why the prologue in Fellowship of the Ring was so effective. Audiences were given something very similar at the start of The Hobbit , and even though it didn’t occur in the book, it did actually help establish the narrative moving forward.

Middle-earth lore was built across many books, with plenty of interesting details only appearing in footnotes. With such a wellspring of detailed information, these prologues helped create exposition and further pull audiences into the magnificent fantasy world. The introduction of a prologue to The Hobbit movies was also helpful for established Tolkien fans who'd read the novel. Since there were many changes to come, the prologue in The Hobbit established Peter Jackson's vision of Middle-earth before Lord of the Rings and that it would be different from the novel.

The Presence Of Radagast The Brown

Elevating the wizard was a wise move.

In The Hobbit , Tolkien mentions the wizard Radagast The Brown only a handful of times as one of the five wizards of Middle-earth. In the movies, Peter Jackson greatly expands his role, allowing the character to interact with the likes of Gandalf and Bilbo, while starring in his own scene in which he helps avert a group of goblins from catching up with the main characters. Having an additional wizard definitely enhanced the cinematic version of Middle-earth, and showed that Gandalf and Saruman weren't the only ones out there.

Radagast also provides comic relief as an innocent, eccentric, and bumbling character who hides a deep, vast power.

Radagast also provides comic relief as an innocent, eccentric, and bumbling character who hides a deep, vast power. The expanded story of Radagast's character is another welcome change in The Hobbit book vs. movie debate. Obviously, these parts of his personality never came across through Tolkien’s brief mention of his existence, but it was nice to see another wizard besides Gandalf and Saruman on Middle Earth.

All Wizards/Istari In Lord Of The Rings

The presence of tauriel, some felt evangeline lilly's character was unnecessary.

Sometimes new characters work, but Tauriel's addition is another one of the differences between The Hobbit book and movie that had audiences scratching their heads because of the way Jackson handled her arc. Played by Lost’s Evangeline Lilly, Tauriel is a character exclusive to the film adaptation of The Hobbit, and she isn’t in any of The Lord of the Rings films, the first The Hobbit movie, or the book, at any point.

This was one of the more controversial additions to the film trilogy, and one many fans felt was unnecessary. She was seemingly created to provide a strong, relatable female character that doesn’t really exist in The Hobbit , and also to act as one part of a tragically romantic love saga between herself, and the dwarven character Kíli. It also led to what seemed like a Hobbit plot hole, due to her character's unfinished story arc.

The Presence Of Azog

An additional villain in peter jackson's trilogy caused some chagrin.

The topic of Azog in The Hobbit book vs movie debate causes an issue, as his presence in the film speaks to a timeline problem. The character of Azog is one of the most powerful villains in the Hobbit/LOTR universe , and he does exist in Tolkien's established lore, but he was beheaded by the character Dain long before the events of The Hobbit took place . As such, the character was essentially lifted from the pages of Middle-earth history, and deposited into the trilogy to act as a principal antagonist.

Some readers took umbrage that Azog was included as another antagonist when he didn't originally have a part in the central story of The Hobbit .

With one arm missing, Azog proved to be an effective and intimidating villain that could act as a counterweight to Thorin Oakenshield's character. His story arc ended in suitably dramatic fashion during a final showdown between the two, in the third and final film. However, some readers took umbrage that Azog was included as another antagonist when he didn't originally have a part in the central story of The Hobbit .

The Presence Of Legolas

Orlando bloom's return had no literary basis.

One of the more debated negative differences between The Hobbit book and movie was the inclusion of Legolas. Peter Jackson wanted to establish some consistency between The Hobbit and Lord Of The Rings , even if the former was a prequel. As such, audiences see Legolas appear in both The Desolation of Smaug, and The Battle of the Five Armies .

However, Legolas doesn’t appear in the book at all, and it feels as if he was deposited into the film trilogy as a way to bring back an audience favorite. In truth, he added little to the overall story, and in some cases, actually deprived other characters of the limelight. Much like some other changes, it is entirely possible that Tolkien would have included Legolas had he wrote The Lord of the Rings first. Since he didn't, though, it's impossible to know for certain, which is why Orlando Bloom's return for the prequel movies will forever be a controversial change for hardcore Tolkien scholars.

The Barrels

A simple alteration that enhanced the cinematic experience.

It might not be as important as many other differences between The Hobbit book and movie, but the barrel scene is nevertheless worth mentioning. When the dwarves escape the hall of the elven king, they float down a river using barrels as boats. The movies shows the dwarves in open barrels, allowing them both to communicate with one-another and be seen by the audience. In the books, these are sealed, rather than open with the characters sticking out.

Unlike some differences between The Hobbit books and movies, the alteration here didn't disrupt the established plot in any way

Unlike some differences between The Hobbit books and movies, the alteration here didn't disrupt the established plot in any way, and was purely aesthetic. This allowed for a more visual connection to the scene, as it established the dwarves' presence, and also the battle that followed shortly thereafter. It also added more tension and excitement to the story, by introducing such a chaotic battle.

The Dwarf Deaths

Peter jackson's movies did three characters a serious injustice.

One of the most heated points of debate in the case of The Hobbit book vs movie has to do with Kíli, Fíli, and Thorin. One piece of storyline mentioned consistently between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings is the death of Kíli, Fíli, and Thorin. However, the manner in which they died in the movies quickly became a point of contention among readers of Tolkien's works.

The movies show the three being slaughtered rather brutally during a fight with Azog and his orcs. The book finds them charging into a battle that they know they won’t survive, dying as brave heroes as a result. This might seem like a small change, but it's one that many have felt disrespected their characters. The book versions of the characters died fearlessly, whereas their cinematic equivalents were simply overpowered in a fight they likely believed they could win.

The Frodo Cameo

Some felt elijah woods returning to link both trilogies was unwise.

More scrupulous readers of Tolkien's works were a little put off by Frodo's inclusion in The Hobbit movie, as he didn't appear in the book at all. It can be argued that one of the more pointless moments in The Hobbit was Elijah Wood’s cameo appearance as Frodo Baggins. It occurred when Bilbo told him a very rough version of his original adventures. Since Tolkien would not write The Lord of the Rings until many years after The Hobbit, Frodo was not even a concept.

The cameo scene felt similar to what Jackson was trying to accomplish by including Legolas.

In fact, Tolkien’s version of this was the reverse, something that only further upset readers. At the start of The Fellowship of the Ring , it is likely that the opening scene of The Shire was built around the aging Bilbo, in order to glean some connection to the previously released Hobbit book. Therefore, it wasn't worth bringing Frodo into the Hobbit films at all, and the cameo scene felt similar to what Jackson was trying to accomplish by including Legolas.

Why The Ring Didn't Affect Bilbo The Way It Did Frodo

The history of sting.

The act of Bilbo finding, choosing, and naming his sword Sting was an important piece of development for the character, given its status as one of the most iconic weapons of Tolkien's works . Of course, this also turns out to be one of the biggest differences between The Hobbit book and movie. In the movie, he is simply given it by Gandalf, after the wizard finds it on the floor of the troll hoard.

The entire scene of the company finding the dwarven weapons seems a bit lazy in comparison to the books. It was more of a convenient way to establish the presence of the blades, with very little exposition or attention given to each of them. Tolkien goes into much more detail about Sting and the swords history in his writing, and it seems surprising that of all the elements of the story, Sting is one that Jackson dumbed-down, since the sword was already an established presence in his cinematic Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Bilbo's Age Difference

One of the biggest issues audiences had about the Hobbit trilogy was the changing of lead actor Ian Holm to Martin Freeman. This was understandable from a production perspective, as the late Ian Holm was already in his 70s by the late 2010s when The Hobbit was being produced. However, the chagrin from some fans wasn't due to disliking Martin Freeman, as his performance in the role was widely praised.

It was rather that Bilbo's age in the movies was a complete contradiction of Bilbo's character from the books , and by far the biggest sin cited in The Hobbit book vs movie debate. It is clearly established that Bilbo's possession of the One Ring meant that he maintained his youthful appearance for decades after finding it. Yet, the stark contrast in physicality between the two actors pretty much robs the story of that fact and creates a gaping plot hole.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

As Bilbo Baggins celebrates his 111th birthday, he recounts the extraordinary journey that changed his life. Guided by the enigmatic wizard Gandalf, Bilbo joins a band of Dwarves on a perilous quest to reclaim their homeland from the fearsome dragon, Smaug. Along the way, they face treacherous foes, unearth long-buried secrets, and discover unexpected courage within themselves. With danger lurking at every turn, Bilbo's adventure unfolds in a tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope.

Director Peter Jackson

Release Date December 14, 2012

Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures

Writers Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro

Cast Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Ken Stott, James Nesbitt, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee

Rating PG-13

Sequel(s) The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Battle For Middle-Earth: Ranking Lord Of The Rings Movies By Box Office Gross

On average, each film in the Lord Of The Rings franchise has grossed approximately $835 million, with cumulative box office earnings of $5.8 billion.

Quick Links

• The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)
• The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
• The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug (2013)
• The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies (2014)
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
• The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003)
• The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films set new industry standards, and grossed over $5.85 billion globally.
• Both trilogies garnered critical acclaim and numerous Oscars, setting unprecedented box office records.
• The franchise expands with new movies like The War Of The Rohirrim and The Hunt For Gollum, to potentially reach $6 billion.

The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit film series have profoundly influenced global pop culture and the film industry.

As adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien 's epic fantasy novels, these films effortlessly captured the imaginations of millions worldwide, setting new standards in filmmaking, particularly in the use of special effects and grand storytelling.

On average, each film in the Lord Of The Rings franchise has grossed approximately $835 million.

Across both trilogies, their cumulative box office earnings exceed $5.85 billion , making them one of the highest-grossing film series in history.

The original Lord Of The Rings trilogy was particularly noted for its fidelity to Tolkien's vision, which, while a subject of much debate, did not detract from its box office success, including an unprecedented sweep of 17 Academy Awards out of 30 nominations.

The final installment, The Return Of The King , alone took home eleven Oscars, including "Best Picture."

Looking ahead, the franchise is set to expand with The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim , an anime adaptation slated for release on December 13, 2024.

The movie will be set 250 years before the original trilogy, adding a fresh chapter to the saga and potentially pushing the franchise past the $6 billion mark in box office receipts.

Additionally, another new film, Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum , set to be directed by and star Andy Serkis , was announced to be in development with a planned release in 2026.

In the meantime, let's take a look at Lord Of The Rings movies from both trilogies, ranked in order of their box office performance.

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6 the lord of the rings: the fellowship of the ring (2001), global box office, the fellowship of the ring - $884,041,698.

The first step into Middle-earth was nothing short of legendary.

The Fellowship Of The Ring ignited a firestorm, setting an unprecedented standard in the fantasy genre. Its breathtaking visuals transported us to ancient forests and treacherous mountains.

As the first entry in the epic trilogy, the film follows the young hobbit Frodo Baggins as he embarks on a perilous journey to destroy the One Ring, which holds the power to enslave the world.

It received praise for its visual effects, performances, Peter Jackson 's direction, screenplay, musical score, and faithfulness to the source material.

At the 74th Academy Awards, it was nominated for thirteen awards, including "Best Picture," winning for "Best Cinematography," "Best Makeup," "Best Original Score," and "Best Visual Effects."

It grossed $47.2 million on its opening weekend.

The Fellowship Of The Ring went on to gross $316.1 million in the United States and Canada and $567.3 million in the rest of the world, for a worldwide total of $884 million against a production budget of $93 million.

5 The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Global box office, the two towers - $948,945,489.

The Middle-earth saga continued with The Two Towers, the second installment of Peter Jackson's The Lord Of The Rings trilogy.

Drawing from J.R.R. Tolkien's 1954 novel, the film escalates the stakes of its predecessor, The Fellowship Of The Ring, and also introduces audiences to new depths of character development and technological brilliance, notably through the digital creation of Gollum.

The central plot follows Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee, guided by the tormented Gollum, as they edge closer to Mordor with the burden of the One Ring.

The vast production, replete with intricate costuming, breathtaking New Zealand landscapes, and groundbreaking special effects, devoured a budget of $94 million.

Financially, The Two Towers mirrored its artistic achievements, grossing $342 million in North America and $606 million in other territories, bringing its worldwide total to $948 million .

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4 the hobbit: the desolation of smaug (2013), global box office, the desolation of smaug - $959,079,095.

The Desolation Of Smaug continued the audacious journey of Bilbo Baggins with Thorin Oakenshield and his band of dwarves.

Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's 1937 novel, the film deepens the peril and enlarges the scope of their quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the clutches of Smaug, the formidable dragon.

Praised for its fast-paced action and visual grandeur, the film managed to maintain the box office lead with an opening weekend haul of $73.6 million in North America.

It went on to gross $258.4 million domestically and $700.6 million in other territories, summing up to a global total of $959 million .

Calculating all expenses, Deadline Hollywood estimated that The Desolation Of Smaug made a profit of $134.1 million.

3 The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies (2014)

Global box office, the battle of the five armies - $962,253,946.

The thunder of war echoed across Middle-earth in Peter Jackson's The Battle Of The Five Armies, a maelstrom of steel and sorcery that signaled the culmination of the Hobbit saga.

The fate of the Lonely Mountain hung by a thread as dwarves, elves, men, and orcs waged a desperate war for control of its long-lost riches.

Originally titled There And Back Again, the film's name was aptly changed to The Battle Of The Five Armies, reflecting the climactic, all-encompassing conflict that defines its narrative.

Despite experiencing the smallest opening weekend of the trilogy with $54 million domestically , a noticeable drop from its predecessor, this installment rebounded to amass a significant total.

It grossed $255.1 million in North America and $707.1 million in other territories, for a total of $962.2 million worldwide.

According to Deadline Hollywood, The Battle Of The Five Armies scored a net profit of $103.4 million , when considering production budgets and box office grosses.

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2 the hobbit: an unexpected journey (2012), global box office, an unexpected journey - $1,017,106,749.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey rekindled the magic of Middle-earth, marking the first voyage back to this beloved realm since The Return Of The King in 2003.

The prospect of returning to Middle-earth, guided once again by Jackson's masterful vision and featuring beloved stars like Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen , Cate Blanchett , and Hugo Weaving reprising their roles, ignited an extraordinary level of anticipation for An Unexpected Journey.

The story is set in Middle-earth, sixty years before the main events of The Lord Of The Rings .

It follows the unassuming hobbit Bilbo Baggins swept into a quest of epic proportions.

Gandalf the Grey lures him from his comfortable hobbit-hole to join a company of dwarves bent on reclaiming their lost mountain kingdom from Smaug.

From its debut, An Unexpected Journey made a splash, setting a record with an $84 million opening weekend in North America, the highest of any film in the Lord Of The Rings franchise.

Each Hobbit film conquered the box office, but only An Unexpected Journey entered billion-dollar territory.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey grossed $303 million in the United States and Canada and $714 million elsewhere, for a worldwide total of $1.017 billion.

1 The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003)

Global box office, the return of the king - $1,156,600,472.

As the crescendo of an epic trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King achieved the zenith of box office success for the series and marked a pinnacle in creativity.

The Return Of The King built upon the success of The Fellowship Of The Ring and The Two Towers, promising a finale that would eclipse its predecessors in both spectacle and acclaim.

The film was universally hailed as a masterpiece of filmmaking, earning accolades for its sweeping narrative, profound emotional depth, and technical brilliance.

Its achievements in visual effects, ensemble performances, masterful direction, and absorbing music score were particularly of note to critics and audiences alike.

At the 76th Academy Awards, the film achieved a historic sweep, winning all eleven Oscars for which it was nominated, including "Best Picture" — a first for a fantasy film.

It debuted with $72 million in North America , setting the stage for an unprecedented box office journey, culminating in its current reign as the top-grossing Lord Of The Rings movie.

The Return Of The King went on to earn $377 million in the United States and Canada and $763.7 million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $1.156 billion.

The 10 Strongest Characters from The Hobbit Movies, Ranked

Physical strength isn't everything in Middle-earth.

Sixty years before the events of The Lord of the Rings , Frodo Baggins' uncle, Bilbo ( Martin Freeman ), goes on his adventure, chronicled in The Hobbit . Originating as a bedtime story told by author J. R. R. Tolkien to his children, The Hobbit has become one of the most recognized fantasy stories thanks to its whimsical tone, iconic characters, and fantastic dialogue. From 2012 to 2014, Sir Peter Jackson released a trilogy based on The Hobbit , with mixed results .

One area where Jackson succeeded, however, was bringing to life the many powerful characters of Middle Earth. Thanks to phenomenal casting and advancements in CGI, the characters look and feel much like how Tolkien described them, and their impressive feats are on full display. These are the strongest characters in The Hobbit trilogy ; they come in all shapes and sizes and showcase their strength in unique yet incredible ways.

10 Bilbo Baggins

Played by sir ian holm and martin freeman.

The son of Bungo Baggins and Belladona Took, Bilbo lives the life of a hobbit bachelor, wanting nothing more than to smoke his pipe, read his books, and enjoy his meals. His carefree style changes when he is whisked away by the wizard Gandalf ( Sir Ian McKellen ) to join the company of Thorin Oakenshield ( Richard Armitage ) on their quest to the Lonely Mountain. Though nobody thinks much of Bilbo at first, he soon proves himself to be a reliable ally to the dwarves, especially when he gets his hands on a magic ring.

Compared to other individuals of Middle-earth, Bilbo might not seem like a powerful character, as he is neither a great warrior nor a wise wizard. However, what he lacks in physical and magical abilities, he makes up for in his courage and loyalty . Though he is given several times when he could have abandoned the company and gone home, Bilbo sticks with his friends and is even willing to place himself at risk if it means sparing the lives of others.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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9 Thorin Oakenshield

Played by richard armitage.

In his youth, Thorin lives in Erebor with his father, Thráin ( Michael Mizrahi, Thomas Robins, and Antony Sher ), and his grandfather, Thrór ( Jeffrey Thomas ), the King Under the Mountain, until Smaug's ( Benedict Cumberbatch ) attack. Following Thrór's death at the hands of Azog the Defiler ( Manu Bennett ) and Thráin's disappearance, Thorin becomes heir to Erebor but can't unite the dwarves because he lacks the king's jewel, the Arkenstone. He is eventually pushed to try and burgle the jewel by Gandalf, who also provides him with a map and key from his father that leads to a secret door into the mountain.

As a veteran of numerous conflicts with orcs and dragons, Thorin has some of the best combat experience out of all the dwarves in the company . He is the only member of the company who matches Azog in combat and even cuts off the pale orc's left hand in their first fight. Thorin is also a natural leader, and his appearance in the climactic Battle of the Five Armies helps give the dwarven army a second wind rather than crumbling to Azog's overwhelming forces.

Played by Orlando Bloom

The son of King Thranduil ( Lee Pace ) of Mirkwood, Legolas Greenleaf ( Orlando Bloom ) serves as his father's most trusted warrior and lieutenant, keeping their lands safe from invading evils like giant spiders and orcs. He also harbors romantic feelings for his father's captain of the guard, a Sylvan elf named Tauriel ( Evangeline Lily ). When the company of Thorin Oakenshield is captured and subsequently escapes from imprisonment, Legolas joins Tauriel in following them, bringing him into conflict with the son of Azog, Bolg ( Lawrence Makoare and John Tui ).

Legolas might have been an unnecessary change for the Hobbit movies that took away screentime from Bilbo, but there's no denying that the filmmakers captured his great combat skills. Thanks to his immortal life, Legolas had thousands of years to hone his skills in combat, especially archery . He can single-handedly take down squads of orcs all by himself and eventually slays Bolg, a powerful orc able to give an elf as skilled as Legolas trouble.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

7 thranduil, played by lee pace.

During the Last Alliance of Men and Elves, Thranduil watched his father and many of his Sindar kin die in the Battle of Dagorlad, which created the Dead Marshes. Thus, Thranduil became the new king of Mirkwood and dedicated himself to protecting his surviving kinsmen, practicing isolation and trading only with other races out of necessity. Tragedy struck again when his wife died fighting orcs at Mount Gundabad, and he became obsessed with obtaining white gemstones withheld from him by the dwarves of Erebor.

Though not as old as other elven leaders, Thranduil remains an accomplished military tactician and powerful warrior . He reveals to Thorin Oakenshield that he fought against the dragons of the north and still bears scars hidden beneath a magical glamour. During the Battle of the Five Armies, Thranduil decimates multiple orcs at once and cuts his way to freedom before being joined by his guardsmen, hinting at his thousands of years of experience.

Played by Hugo Weaving

Born to elven and human parents in the First Age, Elrond Half-elven ( Hugo Weaving ) chose the life of an elf over a human and has ruled as the lord of Rivendell since the Second Age and the fall of Eregion. Of Noldor bloodline and wielding the Elven Ring of Air, Vilya, Elrond is one of the oldest and wisest elves in Middle-earth, possessing many talents for healing and harm . Elrond keeps his home open for those in need of rest and is always willing to aid those who need it.

Elrond is one of the few Noldor elves who survived the Last Alliance of Men and Elves against Sauron, and his combat skills remain as sharp as ever. Though he usually remains in Rivendell, he keeps a constant vigil for the forces of evil and is quick to dispatch anything that threatens his borders. Should the need arise, Elrond will also venture out of Rivendell, but this is more of a last resort since the Elven Rings were designed to protect and heal.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

5 galadriel, played by cate blanchett.

The single oldest elf in Middle Earth, Galadriel ( Cate Blanchett ), was born in Valinor during the age of the Two Trees and came to Middle Earth with her relatives to battle the first Dark Lord, Morgoth. Armed with Nenya, the Elven Ring of Water, she established Lothlórien, the greatest of the elven sanctums, and ruled with her husband, Celeborn ( Marton Csokas ). As news of evil spreads, she meets with Gandalf in Rivendell to discuss what to do about it and how the dwarves' quest might affect the world at large.

Galadriel represents the peak of what Tolkien's elves can achieve : she is graceful, ethereal, wise beyond measure, and desires nothing more than to see evil fall and the world prosper. Like Elrond, Galadriel's powers are primarily based around healing and protection; should the need arise, she can unleash great and terrible magic against the enemies of Middle-earth . Using these powers can be costly for her, especially if she travels into the heart of evil.

Played by Sir Ian McKellen

One of the five wizards sent to Middle Earth to counteract the evil of Sauron, the mighty Gandalf the Grey wanders among the free people of Middle Earth, offering wisdom, counsel, and encouragement. Concerned about Smaug's rulership of Erebor, he encourages Thorin to recover the Arkenstone and unite the scattered dwarf clans to expel the dragon and reclaim their home. Though he initially planned to help Thorin on his quest, Gandalf must leave them outside Mirkwood to investigate the fortress of Dol Guldur.

Gandalf wields tremendous power through his innate magic and as a bearer of the Elven Ring of Fire , Narya. However, he rarely uses his powers openly, preferring to offer sound wisdom and stir the people of Middle-earth to fight for their freedom. When the need arises, however, he is skilled with both swords and spells, with a special affinity for fire-based magic. Gandalf is one of cinema's most famous wizards, with his might coming as much from his magical ability as it does from his strength of will.

Played by Sir Christopher Lee

Saruman ( Sir Christopher Lee ) is the most powerful of the five wizards and sits at the head of the White Council, an alliance of the wisest beings in Middle-earth who act against the evil of Sauron when they find it. When Radagast the Brown ( Sylvester McCoy ) discovers evidence of dark activity at the fortress of Dol Guldur, Saruman initially dismisses them due to a lack of evidence. However, Gandalf's capture forces his hand, exposing the evil as none other than Sauron.

Audiences remember Saruman as a terrific secondary villain in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but the Hobbit films show him when he was still good. Though he is cautious about heeding Gandalf's warnings, it makes some sense since he is concerned about breaking four hundred years of stability and potentially unleashing a dragon upon the land. When forced, Saruman demonstrates his magical talents against Sauron's Nazgûl and even declares that he will deal with the tyrant himself. At that moment, Saruman was still fully committed to the fight against evil.

Played by Benedict Cumberbatch

The last of the great fire drakes of the north, Smaug destroyed the human kingdom of Dale and the dwarf kingdom of Erebor to claim their treasures. He then went into dormancy, hoarding his accumulated gold, content that nothing in the region could match his power. When Bilbo sneaks into his lair to recover the Arkenstone, Smaug awakens and decides to have a chat with the hobbit to ascertain his motives and allegiances.

Though not as powerful as the dragons of old, Smaug is still a formidable creature and one of the strongest monsters in all of Middle-earth . Alongside his tremendous size, strength, and ability to breathe fire, Smaug also possesses a keen intellect that allows him to strategize and work information out of others. His only real weakness is his pride, which does lead to him fatally underestimating Bard of Laketown ( Luke Evans ).

The greatest servant of Morgoth, Sauron took up the mantle after his master's defeat and sought to dominate Middle Earth using the rings of power, which were controlled by his One Ring . However, Isildur ( Harry Sinclair ) cut off his finger and separated him from the One Ring, costing Sauron his physical body and forcing him into hiding. Despite this setback, Sauron remained dedicated to his task and gathered orcs, trolls, and wargs to Dol Guldur to wage a surprise war on the North.

Even in his weakened state, Sauron is leagues stronger than any other being in Middle Earth , and should he possess the One Ring, his conquest of the land would be absolute. Along with the considerable dark magic that allows him to overcome the likes of Gandalf, his sheer willpower is enough to rally dark creatures and the spirits of the dead to him. Meanwhile, his deathless nature means that defeat is little more than a minor setback . The White Council only delayed his invasion by sixty years, during which time he nearly brought the free people to their knees even without the One Ring.

NEXT: Every Middle-Earth Movie Extended Edition, Ranked by Importance

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The Sunday Read: ‘Why Did This Guy Put a Song About Me on Spotify?’

The answer involves a remarkable — and lucrative, and ridiculous — scheme to game the way we find music today..

By Brett Martin

Read by Eric Jason Martin

Produced by Adrienne Hurst and Aaron Esposito

Narration produced by Tanya Pérez and Krish Seenivasan

Edited by John Woo

Original music by Aaron Esposito

Engineered by Sophia Lanman and Devin Murphy

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Have you heard the song “Brett Martin, You a Nice Man, Yes”?

Probably not. On Spotify, “Brett Martin, You a Nice Man, Yes” has not yet accumulated enough streams to even register a tally. Even Brett Martin, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine and the titular Nice Man, didn’t hear the 1 minute 14 second song until last summer, a full 11 years after it was uploaded by an artist credited as Papa Razzi and the Photogs.

When Martin stumbled on “Brett Martin, You a Nice Man, Yes,” he naturally assumed it was about a different, more famous Brett Martin: perhaps Brett Martin, the left-handed reliever who until recently played for the Texas Rangers; or Brett Martin, the legendary Australian squash player; or even Clara Brett Martin, the Canadian who in 1897 became the British Empire’s first female lawyer. Only when the singer began referencing details of stories that he made for public radio’s “This American Life” almost 20 years ago did he realize the song was actually about him. The song ended, “I really like you/Will you be my friend?/Will you call me on the phone?” Then it gave a phone number, with a New Hampshire area code.

So, he called.

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Additional production for The Sunday Read was contributed by Isabella Anderson, Anna Diamond, Sarah Diamond, Elena Hecht, Emma Kehlbeck, Tanya Pérez, Frannie Carr Toth and Krish Seenivasan.

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