The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
After successfully crossing over (and under) the Misty Mountains, Thorin and Company must seek aid from a powerful stranger before taking on the dangers of Mirkwood Forest--without their Wizard. If they reach the human settlement of Lake-town it will be time for the hobbit Bilbo Baggins to fulfill his contract with the dwarves. The party must complete the journey to Lonely Mountain and burglar Baggins must seek out the Secret Door that will give them access to the hoard of the dragon Smaug. And, where has Gandalf got off to? And what is his secret business to the south?
Despite a major studio investment of $250.0M, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug became a financial success, earning $958.4M worldwide—a 283% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, showing that audiences embrace fresh perspective even at blockbuster scale.
Nominated for 3 Oscars. 19 wins & 90 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) exhibits precise narrative design, characteristic of Peter Jackson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Flashback to Gandalf meeting Thorin at the Prancing Pony in Bree, establishing the quest's origins and the dark threat of Azog hunting the dwarves. The company is already on their journey but hunted.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 20 minutes when Gandalf announces he must leave the company at the edge of Mirkwood to investigate the tombs of the Nazgûl, leaving Bilbo and the dwarves to face the dark forest alone without his protection.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 41 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Bilbo and the dwarves are captured by the Wood-elves and brought to Thranduil's halls. Thorin refuses to bargain with the Elvenking, and Bilbo must now become the active rescuer rather than a passive member of the company., moving from reaction to action.
At 81 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The company secures weapons and the Master of Lake-town publicly endorses their quest, promising the return of the King under the Mountain. A false victory as the people celebrate, unaware of the dragon's wrath to come., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 120 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Smaug deduces that Bilbo came from Lake-town and declares his intent to destroy the city and its people. The quest has awakened a catastrophe. Gandalf lies imprisoned, and all seems lost., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 130 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Thorin rallies the dwarves with a desperate plan: lure Smaug to the forges and use the furnaces against him. Rather than flee, they choose to fight the dragon with the only weapon they have - the mountain itself., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Jackson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug within the adventure genre.
Peter Jackson's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Peter Jackson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.3, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Jackson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots. For more Peter Jackson analyses, see The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Flashback to Gandalf meeting Thorin at the Prancing Pony in Bree, establishing the quest's origins and the dark threat of Azog hunting the dwarves. The company is already on their journey but hunted.
Theme
Gandalf warns Thorin about the dragon sickness that afflicted his grandfather: "You have to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn." The theme of greed's corruption and the race against time is stated.
Worldbuilding
The company flees from Azog's orcs, taking refuge at Beorn's house. We learn of the skin-changer, the growing darkness in Mirkwood, and Gandalf's concerns about the Necromancer. The world expands beyond the Shire.
Disruption
Gandalf announces he must leave the company at the edge of Mirkwood to investigate the tombs of the Nazgûl, leaving Bilbo and the dwarves to face the dark forest alone without his protection.
Resistance
The company enters Mirkwood and faces its horrors: the enchanted stream, losing the path, and the giant spiders. Bilbo uses the Ring repeatedly, showing his growing dependence on it and glimpsing its corrupting nature.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Bilbo and the dwarves are captured by the Wood-elves and brought to Thranduil's halls. Thorin refuses to bargain with the Elvenking, and Bilbo must now become the active rescuer rather than a passive member of the company.
Mirror World
Introduction of Tauriel and Legolas, and Tauriel's conversation with Kili. The elf-dwarf dynamic introduces a B-story of compassion crossing racial boundaries, mirroring the theme of greed vs. connection.
Premise
Bilbo's daring barrel escape from the Elven halls, the thrilling river chase with orcs and elves, arrival at Lake-town, and Bard smuggling the company into Esgaroth. Adventure and spectacle dominate.
Midpoint
The company secures weapons and the Master of Lake-town publicly endorses their quest, promising the return of the King under the Mountain. A false victory as the people celebrate, unaware of the dragon's wrath to come.
Opposition
Gandalf confronts the Necromancer at Dol Guldur and is captured. The company reaches the Lonely Mountain and Bilbo enters to face Smaug alone. The dragon awakens, and a deadly game of cat-and-mouse begins.
Collapse
Smaug deduces that Bilbo came from Lake-town and declares his intent to destroy the city and its people. The quest has awakened a catastrophe. Gandalf lies imprisoned, and all seems lost.
Crisis
Bilbo and the dwarves flee through Erebor as Smaug hunts them. In Lake-town, Kili lies dying from a morgul wound. The company is scattered and seemingly powerless against the dragon's might.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Thorin rallies the dwarves with a desperate plan: lure Smaug to the forges and use the furnaces against him. Rather than flee, they choose to fight the dragon with the only weapon they have - the mountain itself.
Synthesis
The dwarves execute their plan, reigniting the forges of Erebor and creating a massive golden statue to distract Smaug. The dragon is covered in molten gold, but ultimately survives and bursts free.
Transformation
Smaug flies toward Lake-town declaring "I am fire. I am death." Bilbo watches in horror, realizing their actions have unleashed destruction on innocent people. The quest's cost becomes devastatingly clear.