As the world premieres for the final film in The Hobbit trilogy gets under way fans across the globe are feeling mixed emotions.
The premieres are taking place at Leicester Square in London, and in Wellington, this morning.
Read more: Critics divided over new Hobbit film
Director Sir Peter Jackson is there, just a week before he's due to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in prime position outside the Dolby Theatre where the Academy Awards are held.
Martin Freeman. Photo / AP
The release of the final film marks the end of a 15-year journey to Middle-earth, which began with the blockbuster Lord of the Rings trilogy released in the early 2000s.
Some fans were disappointed Wellington missed out on hosting the final premiere.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
will be released in New Zealand on December 11.
Read more:
• On set as The Battle of Five Armies unfolds
• Meet the masters behind The Hobbit
The red carpet is out and stars are arriving at a small Wellington movie theatre where the last in the Hobbit trilogy films is showing today.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies will be shown at the Roxy Cinema in Miramar at the same time as the worldwide premiere in London.
Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Orlando Bloom. Photo / AFP
Sir Richard Taylor, the New Zealand-based dwarves, Weta crew and dedicated fans have turned up for the 8.30am showing.
Guests are being treated to breakfast on a Dwarf-styled table before the screening.
Counting down to the New Zealand release of the film, there is a special 10-day projection presentation at The Roxy, Roxy co-owner Jamie Selkirk said.
Benedict Cumberbatch. Photo / AP
The 10-15 minute projection show plays multiple times each night just after sunset.
The presentation followed the film's characters and creatures on their adventures through the first two films leading up to the release of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.
Evangeline Lilly. Photo / AP
Scottish actor and singer Billy Boyd, who played Pippin in the Lord of the Rings, wrote a song to be played over the final credits.
Boyd said he struggled to find the right words, WENN reported.
"A lot of ideas took us to dead ends or we found the tone wasn't just right.
"I think we discovered very quickly this wasn't just a song to end The Battle of the Five Armies - it was a song to say goodbye to Middle-earth."
A select group of fans got a special preview screening of the movie at Jackson's private theatre in Wellington in November.
New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Photo / AP
"I cried a thousand tears because it's the end and I don't want it to be," one woman said.
Stars expected to attend the premiere include Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Stephen Fry.
Kiwi fans will be able to watch the premiere online through a live stream.
Photos from the red carpet of The Hobbit premiere in London:
Image 1 of 17: Actor Billy Boyd at the World premiere of the film The Hobbit, The Battle of the Five Armies in London. Photo / AP
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Photos from The Hobbit premiere in Wellington:
Image 1 of 8: Members of Welly-Moot, the NZ chapter of the UK Tolkien Society. Photo / Mark Mitchell
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- AAP, additional reporting Rebecca Quilliam for NZME. News Service
The Australian site cited a 'heightened threat level' as the issue.
