Research evidenceResearch evidence — scores and sourced research

Scored entertainment-first on WhatSphere's content-balance model 2

Its director stated on the record that "we wanted someone who would do something original, unexpected — something that was a surprise to us, Benedict brought something completely unique to Smaug" 1. Taken together, the content-balance model places it entertainment-first at 3 of 100 2. Relative to the expected cast make-up for its production origin, on-screen representation registers above the baseline for White and below it for Asian 3.

The receipts — every claim above is sourced
  1. 1
    Creator statementdirector: "We wanted someone who would do something original, unexpected — something that was a surprise to us. Benedict brought something completely unique to Smaug."CBR / Peter Jackson interview on The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug source ↗
  2. 2
    Content balanceAdvocacy 3 of 100, tier entertainment-first.WhatSphere content-balance model, score_version 1
  3. 3
    RepresentationRepresentation vs production-origin baseline: White 73, Asian 31.WhatSphere representation model, score_version 1

WhatSphere presents the sourced record; it does not cast the judgement. Every statement above is drawn from a stored, sourced row — shown beside it — and nothing is asserted beyond what those receipts support.

Data updated March 22, 2026Scored, pending verification.Think a score is wrong? Submit a correction.

Synopsis

The Dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf have successfully escaped the Misty Mountains, and Bilbo has gained the One Ring. They all continue their journey to get their gold back from the Dragon, Smaug.

Young MaleYoung FemaleMature MaleMature Female
Primary audienceYoung Men
Targeted

Quadrant Scores

Young Men
100
Young Women
24
Older Men
76
Older Women
0
Advocacy3
Entertainment

Audience Representation

White
73
Black
46
Hispanic
51
Asian
31
South Asian
42
Middle Eastern
46
Indigenous
40
Mixed
40
Other
48
LGBTQ+
0

Where to Watch (US)

Stream
HBO MaxHBO MaxHBO Max Amazon ChannelHBO Max Amazon Channel
Rent
Amazon VideoAmazon VideoApple TV StoreApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeYouTubeFandango At HomeFandango At HomePlexPlex
Buy
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Score version: v1Data confidence: 100%How are scores calculated?

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Advocacy Over Time in Fantasy

The average advocacy score of Fantasy titles by release year, with this title marked. Higher is more advocacy-driven.

25507519402026
Average advocacy score of Fantasy titles by release year
YearAverage advocacyTitles
194002
197002
197702
197802
198202
198416
198502
198603
198705
198815
198932
199005
199114
199234
199303
199425
199504
199602
199723
199826
199916
200004
200149
200222
200317
200456
200507
200618
200708
200847
200924
201053
201134
201375
201422
2016196
201786
201863
20191411
2020214
202168
20221515
20232611
202457
2025615
2026157
This title (2013)31

This title (2013): advocacy 3 · explore Fantasy

Cast & Crew

Oliver Ferguson (director) · Simon Bright (director)