The two 3-D films are Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit."
New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. and MGM announced that "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" will be released Dec. 14, 2012. The sequel, "The Hobbit: There and Back Again," is to be released Dec. 13, 2013.
The films were repeatedly delayed due to studio funding problems, threat of an actors' boycott and ulcer surgery for Jackson.
The movies are prequels to Oscar-winning "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and star star Martin Freeman, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett and Orlando Bloom.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
