In 2008 Suzanne Collins' unleashed The Hunger Games on the world, launching a bestselling book series that would become a globally beloved franchise. Continuing the legacy of satirical stories like Battle Royale and The Running Man, the series centers on PANEM, a North America country that pits its children against each other in grim battles for survival. Out of that brutality comes a figure of hope, Katniss Everdeen, the Mockingjay. Three years after the book was released the first film hit screens becoming a worldwide blockbuster and setting the stage for four more Hunger Games movies. With the newest Hunger Games film now in theaters, the prequel A Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, we're here to break down how to watch all the films in order, now!
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How Many Hunger Games Movies Are There?
There are now five full-length Hunger Games movies thanks to the arrival of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which is now in theaters. Unlike many other franchises there haven't been any short films, TV shows, or extra content created to build out the world of the games, with just the five movies and four books that they're based on. While The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is currently in cinemas you can stream the other four Hunger Games films on Peacock as you get ready to check out the newest entry into the franchise.
How to Watch The Hunger Games in Chronological Order
1. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
Despite the fact that it's the newest addition to the franchise, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes actually takes place 64 years before the other Hunger Games films. Based on the recent prequel of the same name the film follows a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) — the villainous President of PANEM from the main franchise — and his romance with a talented tribute named Lucy Gray (Rachel Ziegler). Expanding the world of The Hunger Games and exploring the early days of the brutal contest and the origins of its most evil villain, this entry may have come over a decade after the first movie but is just as important as the original films.
Read our review of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
2. The Hunger Games (2012)
Adapting Suzanne Collins' best-selling YA novel this blockbuster smash stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, a young woman who volunteers to take her sister's place in the titular battle to the death. Introducing viewers to the exploitative world of PANEM where people watch children kill each other for entertainment, and ostensibly to punish the citizens for a decades previous failed attempt at revolution. This brutal adventure sows the seeds for the rebellion Katniss will eventually lead after teaming up with her fellow District 12 tribute Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) to try and survive the fatal events of the Hunger Games tournament.
Of course, this wouldn't be a YA adaptation without the obligatory love triangle which in this case comes from Katniss' closeness to Peeta and her love for her District 12 best friend Gale. Those relationships are key to the future politics and complexities of the Hunger Games, especially when in a shocking twist both Peeta and Katniss survive, leaving the nation of PANEM in uproar as the districts realize they may be able to fight back against their tyrannical government, inspired by Katniss and her rebellious turn in the games. This also sets the sights of President Snow (Donald Sutherland) directly on Katniss, setting up a massive conflict.
Read our review of The Hunger games.
3. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Following their rebellion-inspiring survival at the Hunger Games, Peeta and Katniss are paraded around PANEM as star crossed lovers with the intention of quelling the potential uprisings. But when the Capitol declares a special anniversary Hunger Games that will see previous victors brought back to fight again, Peeta and Katniss are soon swept up in another fight for survival.
Centering on the human cost of the games, Catching Fire introduces fan favorite champions Finnick (Sam Claflin) and Johanna (Jena Malone) who must craft an uneasy alliance with Peeta and Katniss to survive the even more high-tech and deadly games. They are far from alone though as we learn more about the burgeoning rebellion in this entry, especially as the film ends with the massive reveal that the once thought to be destroyed District 13, is actually the base of the Rebellion and with Katniss as its figurehead they're ready to fight back against Snow.
Read our review of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
4. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One (2014)
Splitting the final book in the original Hunger Games trilogy into two, Mockingjay: Part One continues directly on from Catching Fire as Katniss is reunited with her family in District 13. The rebellion is growing exponentially, led by the cold but effective Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) She soon realizes that while Finnick and another champion Beetee (Jeffery Wright) were saved from the arena, Peeta was left behind to be taken by the Capitol. Unlike the first two films, Mockingjay: Part One doesn't feature a Hunger Games and instead focuses on the inner workings of the rebellion as they build up the image of Katniss as the titular Mockingjay.
While she takes part in rebellion actions, Katniss also encourages the rescue of Peeta, Johanna, and Finnick's betrothed Annie (Stef Dawson) from the Capitol. Their rescue is a success thanks to the help of the rebellion and Katniss' childhood best friend Gale — who survived the destruction of their home District 12 — but it's revealed that Peeta has been brainwashed to hate Katniss and the film ends as he tries to assassinate her.
Read our review of Mockingjay Part 1.
5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part Two (2015)
After her heartbreaking attack at the hands of Peeta, Katniss is traumatized but has to go on the campaign trail as the rebellion try to get the final Capitol controlled District on their side. The final movie in the series reimagines the Hunger Games as President Snow turns an entire city into a gauntlet that our surviving champions have to battle through in order to take down the Capitol. There are brutal losses, heartbreaking betrayals, and a surprisingly realistic and often depressing take on the realities of war and the ongoing battle for peace that is highlighted when the Rebellion leader Alma Coin decides to continue the Hunger Games to punish the Capitol. Of course Katniss doesn't take well to that choice, killing the would-be new President, ending up on trial but ultimately acquitted — due to her mental health — for her role in the assassination.
One of the most interesting things about this entry into the series is how it proudly eschews the happy ending that many would expect instead leaning into the bleakness of war and how even those who survive it struggle to maintain a normal life when they return home. In that way it stands out from other YA adaptations that often end on a more positive and hopeful note.
Read our review of Mockingjay Part 2.
The Hunger Games Movies by Release Date
If you want to watch the films based on the order of their release, you'll want to start with the second movie on our chronological list.
- The Hunger Games (2012)
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One (2014)
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part Two (2015)
- The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
Rosie Knight is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything from anime to comic books to kaiju to kids movies to horror flicks. She has over half a decade of experience in entertainment journalism with bylines at Nerdist, Den of Geek, Polygon, and more. Rosie is a published comics author who has written titles including Godzilla Rivals vs. Battra and The Haunted High-Tops. She co-hosts the weekly Crooked Media pop-culture podcast X-Ray Vision. When she's not writing, you can find her playing Dragon Ball FighterZ or rewatching weird old horror and martial movies in her free time. She loves making comics and zines as well as collecting VHS and reading much manga as humanly possible. You can find her on social at @rosiemarx.
