The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
Kernel Score: 82% · 15,144 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Released: 2014-12-10
Runtime: 144 minutes
Is The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies worth watching?
Depends on your taste. The long-winded closer to Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy is mostly one huge battle. There's spectacle and some good moments for Bilbo and Thorin, but it feels stretched compared with the Lord of the Rings films.
Watch it if you
- watched the first two Hobbit films
- love big fantasy battles
- enjoy Middle-earth lore
Skip it if you
- haven't seen the earlier films
- want a tight, character-driven story
Best for: Fantasy marathon
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
- Stream: HBO Max
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Following Smaug's attack on Laketown, Bilbo and the dwarves try to defend Erebor's mountain of treasure from others who claim it: the men of the ruined Laketown and the elves of Mirkwood. Meanwhile an army of Orcs led by Azog the Defiler is marching on Erebor, fueled by the rise of the dark lord Sauron. Dwarves, elves and men must unite, and the hope for Middle-Earth falls into Bilbo's hands.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies parents' guide: ages 10+
Parents need to know that this PG-13 fantasy epic is dominated by large-scale battle sequences as armies clash over treasure, alongside themes of greed and heroic unity.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Reviewers describe more than two hours of near-continuous epic battle, with orcs, armies, and sustained fantasy combat, though gore is limited.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
If you liked The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) — 86%: The previous Hobbit film, which sets this up
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) — 82%: Where this trilogy starts
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) — 97%: The much stronger Lord of the Rings finale
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) — 97%: The first Lord of the Rings film
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) — 92%: Epic Lord of the Rings battle at Helm's Deep
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) — 88%: Big fantasy finale with a huge battle
Director
Cast
- Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey
- Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins
- Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield
- Orlando Bloom as Legolas
- Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel
- Luke Evans as Bard
- Lee Pace as King Thranduil
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug / Sauron (voice)
- Ken Stott as Balin
- Aidan Turner as Kili
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies FAQ
Is The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies worth watching?
Depends on your taste. The long-winded closer to Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy is mostly one huge battle. There's spectacle and some good moments for Bilbo and Thorin, but it feels stretched compared with the Lord of the Rings films.
Where can I watch The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies?
In the US you can stream The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies on HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies OK for kids?
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 10+. Parents need to know that this PG-13 fantasy epic is dominated by large-scale battle sequences as armies clash over treasure, alongside themes of greed and heroic unity.
What movies are like The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies?
If you liked The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, try The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.