The Hunger Games is an American media franchise centering on a series of science fiction dystopian adventure films, based on the novel series by Suzanne Collins. The series features an ensemble cast including Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, and Donald Sutherland.
The first three films set various box office records. The Hunger Games (2012) set records for biggest opening day and biggest opening weekend for a non-sequel. Catching Fire (2013) set the record for biggest opening weekend of November. Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) had the largest opening day and weekend of 2014. The films, including Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015), were praised for their themes and Lawrence's performance. The first prequel film The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), received mixed reviews and had the lowest opening weekend of the series. The series is the 21st-highest-grossing film franchise of all time, having grossed $3.3billion worldwide.
Background Following the release of Suzanne Collins's novel The Hunger Games on September 14, 2008, Hollywood film studios began looking to adapt the book into film. In March 2009, Color Force, an independent studio founded by producer Nina Jacobson, bought the film rights to the book. She then sought out production company Lionsgate to help her produce the film. Collins was also attached to adapt the novel; she began the first draft after completing the third novel in the series, Mockingjay (2010). The search for a director began in 2010 with three directors in the running; David Slade, Sam Mendes, and Gary Ross. Ross was ultimately chosen to direct. By the time Collins had finished the script, Ross decided to go through the script with Collins and screenwriter Billy Ray.
In October 2010, scripts were sent to the actors, and casting occurred between March and May 2011. The first role cast was of the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen. As many as thirty actresses were in talks to play the part, with Jennifer Lawrence, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, and Chloë Grace Moretz being mentioned most. The role was given to Lawrence.
Casting for the roles of Peeta Mellark, Katniss' fellow tribute, and Gale Hawthorne, her best friend, began later that month. Top contenders for Peeta included Josh Hutcherson, Alexander Ludwig (later cast as Cato), Hunter Parrish, Evan Peters, and Lucas Till. Contenders for Gale included Robbie Amell, Liam Hemsworth, David Henrie, and Drew Roy. On April 4, it was reported that Hemsworth had been cast as Gale, and Hutcherson had been cast as Peeta.
In May 2022, Tom Blyth was cast as the young President Snow, with Rachel Zegler as his protégée, tribute Lucy Gray Baird. Zegler was originally offered the role in January, but initially turned it down before later changing her mind. In June 2022, Josh Andrés Rivera (who previously starred in 2021's West Side Story alongside Zegler), Hunter Schafer and Jason Schwartzman were cast. Peter Dinklage was cast in the following month. Throughout June and July 2022, the cast was rounded out with actors portraying the film's multiple tributes and mentors. On August 15, 2022, it was reported that Viola Davis was cast as Volumnia Gaul, the head gamemaker of the 10th annual Hunger Games. On September 16, 2022, more cast members were revealed, including Burn Gorman and Fionnula Flanagan as Commander Hoff and Grandma'am.
Films
FilmU.S. release dateDirectorScreenplay byAdaptation byProducersStatus Original seriesThe Hunger GamesGary RossGary Ross, Billy Ray & Suzanne CollinsJon Kilik & Nina JacobsonReleasedThe Hunger Games: Catching FireFrancis LawrenceSimon Beaufoy & Michael ArndtThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1Peter Craig & Danny StrongSuzanne CollinsThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 Prequel seriesThe Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & SnakesFrancis LawrenceMichael Lesslie & Michael ArndtBrad Simpson, Nina Jacobson & Francis LawrenceReleasedThe Hunger Games: Sunrise on the ReapingBilly Ray & Michael LessliePost-Production Original series The Hunger Games (2012)
Every year, in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of the 12 districts to send one boy and one girl tribute between the ages of 12 to 18 to compete in the Hunger Games: a nationally televised event in which the 'tributes' fight each other to the death until one survivor remains. When Primrose Everdeen is "reaped", her older sister Katniss volunteers in her place as tribute to enter the games and is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts and knowledge when she's pitted against highly trained and fierce "tributes" from all of the other districts.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Along with fellow District 12 victor Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen returns home safely after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games. Winning means that they must leave their loved ones behind and embark on a Victory Tour throughout the districts for a couple of days. Along the way Katniss senses a rebellion simmering upon the Capitol - one that she and Peeta may have sparked - but the Capitol is still under control as President Snow prepares for the 75th Hunger Games - the Third Quarter Quell in which past victors will be reaped - that could change Panem forever.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014)
Following her rescue from the devastating Quarter Quell, Katniss Everdeen awakes in the complex beneath the supposedly destroyed District 13. Her home, District 12, has been reduced to rubble by the Capitol. Peeta Mellark was kidnapped by the Capitol and is now brainwashed and being held captive by President Snow. Snow wants Peeta to forget everything he had loved about Katniss. At the same time, Katniss also learns about a secret rebellion spreading throughout Panem - a rebellion that places her at the center of attention, and compels her to turn the tables on President Snow.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015)
Realizing the stakes are no longer just for survival, Katniss Everdeen teams up with her closest friends, Peeta Mellark, Gale Hawthorne, and Finnick Odair, on the ultimate mission for peace. Together, they leave District 13, to liberate citizens from a war that tears Panem apart more than ever. President Snow becomes obsessed with destroying Katniss and everyone and everything she loves. Ahead lie mortal traps, dangerous enemies, and moral choices that will determine the future of millions.
Prequel series The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
A young Coriolanus is the last hope for his failing lineage, since the once-proud Snow family has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from the impoverished District 12. After Lucy Gray's charm captivates the audience of Panem, however, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive and reveal if he will ultimately sing a songbird or a monster.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026)
In June 2024, after another prequel novel was announced, Lionsgate officially confirmed plans for a film adaptation. Francis Lawrence entered early negotiations to direct the movie. The plot will take place forty years after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, and will depict Panem and its 2nd Quarter Quell. The film is scheduled for release on November 20, 2026.
Cast and crew
Character Original series Prequel series The Hunger Games Catching Fire Mockingjay – Part 1 Mockingjay – Part 2 The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Sunrise on the Reaping Coriolanus Snow Donald Sutherland Tom Blyth Ralph Fiennes Katniss Everdeen Jennifer Lawrence Jennifer Lawrence Peeta Mellark Josh Hutcherson Josh Hutcherson Haymitch Abernathy Woody Harrelson Joseph ZadaWoody Harrelson Effie Trinket Elizabeth Banks Elle Fanning Caesar Flickerman Stanley Tucci Kieran Culkin Asterid Everdeen Paula Malcomson Grace Ackary Gale Hawthorne Liam Hemsworth colspan="2" Primrose Everdeen Willow Shields colspan="2" Cinna Lenny Kravitz colspan="4" Plutarch Heavensbee Philip Seymour Hoffman Jesse Plemons Beetee Latier Jeffrey Wright Kelvin Harrison Jr. Finnick Odair Sam Claflin colspan="2" Johanna Mason Jena Malone colspan="2" Annie Cresta Stef Dawson colspan="2" Mags Flanagan Lynn Cohen colspan="3" Lili Taylor Wiress Amanda Plummer colspan="3" Maya Hawke President Alma Coin colspan="2" Julianne Moore colspan="2" Boggs colspan="2" Mahershala Ali colspan="2" Cressida colspan="2" Natalie Dormer colspan="2" Messalla colspan="2" Evan Ross colspan="2" Castor colspan="2" Wes Chatham colspan="2" Pollux colspan="2" Elden Henson colspan="2" Commander Paylor colspan="2" Patina Miller colspan="2" Tigris Snow colspan="3" Eugenie Bondurant Hunter Schafer Lucy Gray Baird colspan="4" Rachel Zegler Sejanus Plinth colspan="4" Josh Andrés Rivera Casca Highbottom colspan="4" Peter Dinklage Lucretius "Lucky" Flickerman colspan="4" Jason Schwartzman Dr. Volumnia Gaul colspan="4" Viola Davis Commander Hoff colspan="4" Burn Gorman Clemensia Dovecote colspan="4" Ashley Liao Festus Creed colspan="4" Max Raphael Lysistrata Vickers colspan="4" Zoe Renee Lenore Dove Baird colspan="5" Whitney Peak Maysilee Donner colspan="5" Mckenna Grace Wyatt Callow colspan="5" Ben Wang Louella McCoy colspan="5" Molly McCann Lou Lou colspan="5" Iona Bell Ampert Latier colspan="5" Percy Daggs IV Sid Abernathy colspan="5" Smylie Bradwell Proserpina Trinket colspan="5" Iris Apatow Vitus colspan="5" Edvin Ryding Drusilla Sickle colspan="5" Glenn Close Magno Stift colspan="5" Billy Porter
Additional crew Film Crew/Detail Composer(s) Cinematographer Editor(s) Production companies Distributing company Running time The Hunger Games James Newton Howard Tom Stern Stephen Mirrione & Juliette Welfling Lionsgate & Color Force Lionsgate 142 minutes Catching Fire Jo Willems Alan Edward Bell 146 minutes Mockingjay – Part 1 Mark Yoshikawa & Alan Edward Bell 123 minutes Mockingjay – Part 2 137 minutes The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Mark Yoshikawa 157 minutes Sunrise on the Reaping Matthew Schimdt
Production Development Filming for the franchise began on May 23, 2011, and finished on June 20, 2014.
Suzanne Collins and Louise Rosner acted as executive producers on the first two films. Other executive producers of the first film include Robin Bissell and Shantal Feghali. Co-producers are Diana Alvarez, Martin Cohen, Louis Phillips, Bryan Unkeless, and Aldric La'auli Porter. Color Force and Lionsgate collaborated on all four films. It was announced on November 1, 2012, that the studio had decided to split the final book, Mockingjay (2010), into two films: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015), much like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and 2 (2011), and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (2011) and 2 (2012).
Directors Gary Ross directed the first film (The Hunger Games), and despite initially stating otherwise on April 10, 2012, Lionsgate announced that Ross would not return to direct the sequel. On April 19, 2012, it was confirmed that Francis Lawrence would direct the sequel instead, and on November 1, 2012, it was confirmed that Lawrence would return and direct the final two films in the series, based on the novel Mockingjay. In April 2020, Collins and Lionsgate confirmed that plans were underway for the prequel film's development. Francis Lawrence was later confirmed to direct, after doing so for the prior three films in the series since The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
Scripts