If you loved
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Peter Jackson · Film · 2013
What hooked you in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was the immersive experience of navigating dangerous, high-stakes quests across vast, legendary landscapes.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Hobbit
Arthur Rankin, Jr. · Film · 1977
Adaptation
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Peter Jackson · Film · 2012
Books on the same thread
The Lord of the Rings
J. R. R. Tolkien · Book · 1954
Shares 2 threads with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Good vs Evil, High Fantasy.
If you enjoyed the epic scope of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, you will appreciate how this foundational series establishes the definitive heroic quest and the corrupting influence of power.
The Fellowship of the Ring
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien · Book · 2002
Shares 2 threads with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Good vs Evil, High Fantasy.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug excels at building a dangerous journey, and this book serves as the perfect entry point into the wider conflict and the courage required for success.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J. K. Rowling · Book · 1997
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Orphanhood, Friendship.
Much like the perilous journey in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, this story features a young protagonist forced to face extraordinary threats while discovering his own hidden strength and destiny.
The two towers
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien · Book · 1981
Shares 3 threads with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Good vs Evil, The Corruption of Power, High Fantasy.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug thrives on its distinct world-building, and this sequel continues that tradition by deepening the complex history and geography of the legendary Middle-earth adventure.
Series on the same thread
Game of Thrones
David Benioff · Series · 2011
Shares a thread with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: High Fantasy.
If the stakes in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug captivated you, this series offers a darker look at power struggles and the looming threat of an ancient, awakening evil.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Patrick McKay · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: high fantasy.
This series captures the same spirit of exploration found in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, focusing on the re-emergence of evil across diverse and beautiful regions of Middle-earth.
House of the Dragon
George R. R. Martin · Series · 2022
Shares 2 threads with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: High Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery.
The dragon-filled tension of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug finds a new home here, as you witness the dangerous intersection of dynastic pride and the immense power of dragons.
The Witcher
Lauren Schmidt Hissrich · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Sword and Sorcery.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug features a world where monsters are a constant threat, and this show mirrors that danger through the eyes of a hunter navigating moral ambiguity.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
While The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug takes its quest seriously, this show applies that same high fantasy structure to a comedic, collaborative adventure centered on group dynamics and exploration.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
The Ringer · Podcast · 2026
Explores: banter, insider access, celebrity culture.
If the camaraderie between the dwarves in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was your favorite element, you will enjoy the banter and close-knit friendship found in these casual conversations.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the movies in if I just finished The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?
You should begin with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which introduces the quest to reclaim the gold from Smaug. After you finish The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, you will have completed the first two parts of the film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson.
Is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug based on the original 1937 book?
Yes, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is a cinematic adaptation derived from the 1937 novel The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. The film expands upon the middle portion of the book, following the journey of Bilbo, Gandalf, and the Dwarves as they reach the dragon.
How does the 1977 version of The Hobbit compare to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?
The 1977 version of The Hobbit is an earlier adaptation of the same source material as The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. While both titles cover the narrative of the dwarves and Bilbo, the 2013 film provides a more modern, extended interpretation of the journey to Smaug.
Should I read The Hobbit book after watching The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug?
Reading the 1937 book The Hobbit provides the complete source material for the events depicted in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. It allows you to experience the original text that inspired Peter Jackson to create the film journey to reclaim the gold from the dragon.