The Hobbit film series is a series of epic fantasy-drama films directed by Peter Jackson. The three films, entitled ', ', and ', are released worldwide in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. They are based on J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy novel, The Hobbit, adapted for the screen by Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro. A large ensemble cast was featured in the series, which included Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Aidan Turner, Dean O'Gorman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Orlando Bloom, Lee Pace, Christopher Lee, Stephen Fry and Ryan Gage.
' was released in New Zealand on 12 December 2012. It was released in the United Kingdom on December 13 and in North America and Europe on December 14.
An Unexpected Journey has won the "Technical Achievement" award by the Houston Film Critics Society, who also nominated it for "Best Original Song", the award for "Outstanding Virtual Cinematography" by the Visual Effects Society, the Best Hero award for Martin Freeman at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards and the Empire Awards for "Best Actor" and "Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy". Among others, the film has also received three Academy Award nominations, a nomination from the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association, four nominations from the Broadcast Film Critics Association, six nominations from the Visual Effects Society, and three nominations from the Phoenix Film Critics Society.
' was released in December 12. In North America, it was released on December 13, 2013.
' was released on December 11, while in North America was released on December 17, 2014.