Gravity beats Smaug to Oscars haul

Peter Jackson's second instalment of the Hobbit trilogy has been beaten to three Oscars by the pull of space blockbuster Gravity.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug had been nominated for best sound editing, best sound mixing and best visual effects.

Wellington-based Weta Digital staff were also nominated in the visual effects category for Iron Man 3.

But all those awards went to Gravity at the 86th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Monday (NZT).

Jackson's first film, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was also nominated for three Academy Awards but missed out in all categories - best visual effects, best makeup and hairstyling, and best production design.

Jackson's other trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, picked up 30 Oscar nominations, winning 17.

Gravity and drama American Hustle have 10 Oscar nominations each this year, including best picture.

- AAP