Did you recently learn about the amazing The Hunger Games movies? Are you now wondering in which order you should be watching them? Well, dear budding Hunger Games fan, you can take some comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Many others like you who have found out how epic these films end up wondering where each installment fits with the others.
Your confusion might be warranted because the main characters in each film change a little, and watching the movies in the incorrect order might cause frustration. Luckily, today’s The Hunger Games guide will tell you the chronological order of the films plus the sequence in which you should watch them.
The Hunger Games started as a young-adult book series written by Suzanne Collins. It is a monumental dystopian fiction story that has inspired millions of young people. If you love science-fiction movies, then The Hunger Games series is a must-watch, especially in the proper order. Since there is more than one movie, it can be challenging to know which to watch first.
Do not fret – for we are here to help you! Read on to learn how to watch Hunger Games movies in the correct order to enjoy them and learn about the entire story without missing anything important.
How Many Hunger Games Movies Are There?
The complete Hunger Games story covers five movie installments. In 2012, the first movie, The Hunger Games, was released in theaters. Then in 2013, Catching Fire – the second film, was released.
In 2014, the third installment, Mockingjay – Part One. Finally, in 2015, the fourth and last movie of the series, Mockingjay – Part Two, was released worldwide. The presequel “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is set to release on 17 November 2023.
Why Is It Important To Watch The Hunger Games Movies in Order?
The Hunger Games 3-book novel series was masterfully divided into five blockbuster movies that are best enjoyed when watched in the correct order. Otherwise, you will miss out on key plot points and important character development, which make this series unique.
The Hunger Games, the first Hunger Games movie of the series, is the most important as it sets the stage for the story that the other three movies follow. It also introduces us to the main characters. Catching Fire film is the sequel to the Hunger Games movie. It picks up the story where the Hunger Games movie left off and adds some significant developments.
Mockingjay – Part 1, the third movie, is a huge turning point for the series, but you must watch the first two films to get a better sense of the twists that emerge in Mockingjay part 1. The fourth movie of the Hunger Games franchise is Mockingjay – Part 2, which concludes the story by wrapping up the loose ends.
The movie The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, based on the prequel novel by Suzanne Collins and delves further into the mythology of the Hunger Games franchise, will allow viewers to visit new locations in Panem. The movie is an adaptation of the novel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
The narrative focuses on a younger version of the main antagonist, Coriolanus Snow, as he coaches the female tribute Lucy Gray Baird during the 10th Hunger Games, which is going to have an effect that reverberates throughout Panem for years to come.
Snow finds himself going through a trying period and requires his tribute to triumph in the games so that he can financially recover. This is what drives him toward becoming the first mentor of The Academy to win the Hunger Games. His characterization in the original trilogy was very different. Leading roles in the film are played by Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth, both of whom are accomplished actors.
The Hunger Games movie series must be watched in chronological order to have the best understanding of the remarkable story and its complex characters.
We recommend that you watch the entire series in the correct sequence.
The Hunger Games Movies – in Order of Release Date
The Hunger Games movies have a massive fan following across the globe. Following are the Hunger Games (film series) movies arranged according to their release date (available on Amazon Prime):
| The Hunger Games | March 23, 2012 |
| The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | November 22, 2013 |
| The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 | November 21, 2014 |
| The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 | November 20, 2015 |
| The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes | Releases November 17, 2023 |
The Hunger Games Movies – in Chronological Order of Events
Following is the list of all Hunger Games movies in Chronological Order (available on VUDU):
| The Hunger Games | 2012 |
| The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | 2013 |
| The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 | 2014 |
| The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 | 2015 |
| The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes | 2023 |
Overview of The Hunger Games Movies in Order
1. The Hunger Games
| Year | 2012 |
| Director | Gary Ross |
| Starring | Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller |
| Runtime | 142 minutes |
The first installment in The Hunger Games series – The Hunger Games was released a decade ago in March of 2012. As the franchise’s first movie, it is arguably the most important installment, as is our introduction to the nation of Panem in the dystopian post-apocalyptic future and the story of the protagonist – Katniss Everdeen.
Katniss steps in for her sister to participate in the annual Hunger Games. Every year, a girl and a boy are selected from Panem’s 12 districts to compete against each other to death. The story of the movie remains close to the novel. The Hunger Games was well received, and it essentially paved the way for the next three installments that together make The Hunger Games one of the most successful film franchises of all time.
2. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
| Year | 2013 |
| Director | Francis Lawrence |
| Starring | Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller |
| Runtime | 146 minutes |
The second installment in the much-loved Hunger Games film series that did exceptionally well in theaters is The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which is based on the novel by Suzanne Collins by the same name – Catching Fire (2009).
The story picks up a year or 12 months after the story told in the previous movie. Katniss and Peeta have won the 4th Annual Hunger Games, and they are back in District 12 and living under the Capitol’s care. There is a rebellion brewing against the Capitol inspired by Katniss’s defiance.
To maintain his control, President Snow sends Katniss and Peeta back to The Hunger Games for the Third Quarter Quell, where victors from the previous Hunger Games fight each other. This installment gave us a peek into Katniss’s personal life and her feelings for Peeta.
3. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
| Year | 20134 |
| Director | Francis Lawrence |
| Starring | Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller |
| Runtime | 123 minutes |
The third installment from the Hunger Games series, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, is based on Suzanne Collins’ 2010 novel Mockingjay, the final book in The Hunger Games trilogy.
The story of the third Hunger Games movie revolves around Katniss Everdeen and how she twice survived the Hunger Games; Katniss finds herself in District 13. Following President Coin’s leadership and her trusted friends’ advice, Katniss courageously fights to save Peeta. She rises as the symbol of a mass rebellion against the Capitol.
On the other hand, she also learns about a secret rebellion spreading around Panem. This rebellion puts Katniss at the center of attention, and the only option left is to turn the tables on President Snow and the tyrannical Capitol by defeating them in the war.
4. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2
| Year | 2015 |
| Director | Francis Lawrence |
| Starring | Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller |
| Runtime | 137 minutes |
The fourth movie in The Hunger Games film series, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, is the second film based on Suzanne Collins’ 2010 novel Mockingjay. This book is the final book in The Hunger Games trilogy.
The movie story is a continuation of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 with Katniss Everdeen, where she was preparing to win the war against President Snow and the tyrannical Capitol. Peeta Mellark, Gale Hawthorne, and Finnick Odair unite with Katniss to achieve the ultimate mission: gain peace and harmony. They leave District 13 unitedly to liberate the citizens of war. The brutal war has brought more destruction to Penam than ever before.
President Snow becomes obsessed with destroying Everdeen and all that she loves. Everdeen now has to face more dangerous enemies, mortal traps, and moral choices that will define the future of millions of people.
5. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023)
| Year | 2023 |
| Director | Francis Lawrence |
| Starring | Rachel Zegler, Jason Schwartzman, Hunter Schafer, Tom Blyth, Peter Dinklage, Viola Davis |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller |
| Runtime | 165 minutes |
Because a new Hunger Games film is now on the way after an absence of eight years, it is time for all of us to brush up on our knowledge of the recognizable whistle from the series. Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games, gave her readers a special treat during the pandemic by publishing a prequel novel titled The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Although the main trilogy of books was completed more than a decade ago, fans were delighted to receive this gift from Collins.
The story of the book, written in 2021 and released the following year, takes place more than 60 years before the events in the main series. The protagonist of the book is Coriolanus Snow, who will later become Katniss Everdeen’s primary foe. Two years following that, a version of the story is finally going to be released in theaters.
The production of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is now complete, and a trailer as well as the full cast list have been released, so there is a great deal of information on the movie to go over. The following is a rundown of everything about the upcoming film:
When will The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes be up in theaters or streaming services?
On November 17, 2023, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will be released in theaters.
What is the best way to experience The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
In November, the prequel to The Hunger Games will have its world premiere in theaters only, so if you want to watch it, you’ll need to find a way to get a ticket soon. However, since Lionsgate, the film’s distributor has a partnership with Peacock, the movie will likely be available to stream on that platform.
Is The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snake trailer available?
There is no doubt that there is. A teaser trailer was made available on June 5, 2022, although it did not include any clips from the actual movie.
After this, on April 27, 2023, a real trailer was released, which provided us with a lot of visually appealing information to dissect.
What is the plot of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
The following is an excerpt from the movie’s official synopsis: “Years before he would become the tyrannical President of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, the girl tribute from impoverished District 12. But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor,” it adds. Snow and Lucy’s struggle against the clock to survive will, in the end, expose “who is a songbird, and who is a snake,” as it will bring together their natural impulses for showmanship and their newly discovered political knowledge.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes cast
As was the case with the first installments of The Hunger Games film franchise, the film will feature a cast primarily made up of well-known actors playing supporting roles in adult roles, while largely unknown child actors will play the parts of the tributes.
Rachel Ziegler As Lucy Gray Baird
Rachel Zegler, best known for her role in West Side Story, will play the part of Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute representing District 12, in the tenth installment of The Hunger Games.
Tom Blyth As Coriolanus Snow
Tom Blyth, who played Billy the Kid, has been cast in the role of a younger version of Coriolanus Snow before Snow became President of Panem. Donald Sutherland was the initial actor cast in the role of Snow.
Peter Dinklage As Casca Highbottom
Peter Dinklage, who is best known for his role as Tyrion Lannister in the HBO series Game of Thrones, has been cast in the dual role of President Snow as well as the Dean of the Academy, which is where Coriolanus attends classes.
Viola Davis As Dr. Volumnia Gaul
EGOT-winner Viola Davis will play Dr. Volumnia Gaul, the top game maker in the 10th Hunger Games. If you’re familiar with Shakespeare, you’ll know the name of Coriolanus’s evil mother in Coriolanus.
Jason Schwartzman As Lucky Flickerman
The Wes Anderson regular will take on the role of the ancestor of Caesar Flickerman, played by Stanley Tucci, who serves as the TV host of the earlier Hunger Games.
Hunter Schafer As Tigris Snow
Hunter Schafer, currently starring in Euphoria, has been cast as Coriolanus’ older cousin, who works as a stylist in the Hunger Games. It’s possible that the name sounds familiar to you since she makes an appearance in Mockingjay.
Josh Andrés Rivera As Sejanus Plinth
Sejanus Plinth is another of Snow’s close friends and serves as a District 2 mentor. In West Side Story, he was portrayed by Josh Andrés Rivera, the same actor who played Chino.
Finnula Flanagan As Grandma’am
The renowned Irish actress will portray the role of the aristocratic grandmother of Coriolanus and Tigris.
Laurel Marsden As Mayfair Lipp
Mayfair Lipp is a young woman who lives in District 12 and is the one who comes up with the idea of Lucy Gray Baird competing in the Hunger Games. Laurel Marsden, an actor, has a role as Zoe Zimmer in the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel and participated in the TV series Survive, which aired in 2020.
Nick Benson As Jessup
Along with Baird, as well as the other tributes from the other districts, Jessup, a representative of District 12, is required to compete in this round. Nick Benson, who portrays Jessup, has only been seen in short films up to this point; however, he makes a cameo appearance in at least one episode of the miniseries Boo, Bitch, starring Lana Condor on Netflix.
Hiroki Berrecloth As Treech
Hiroki Berrecloth performs as Treech, a tribute character from District 7. Red Rose was a BBC drama in which the young actor starred.
Luna Steeples As Dill
Luna Steeples, who previously appeared in the TV series Overdue, is playing the role of Dill, a tribute competing in the 10th Hunger Games who is from District 11.
Jerome Lance As Marcus
Jerome Marcus, a character from District 2, will be portrayed by Lance. This is going to be Lance’s very first role, for which he receives credit.
Mackenzie Lansing As Coral
Mackenzie Lansing is the actor who portrays the District 4 tribute known as Coral. She has a long list of acting credits under her belt, including roles in productions such as Mare of Easttown and The Deuce, amongst others.
Knox Gibson As Bobbin
Knox Gibson gives his performance as Bobbin, a tribute from District 8. Gibson’s acting career began with a role in the short film titled “Forgive Us Our Trespasses.”
Lilly Cooper As Arachne Crane
Arachne Crane acts as a guide for the District 10 organization. Lilly Cooper, who previously appeared in The Witcher, will portray Crane as Murta.
Aamer Husain As Felix Ravinstill
Aamer Husain, whose only previous performance was in the TV series Hudson & Rex, plays Felix Ravinstill, a mentor to District 11’s tribute, in the Hunger Games film and television franchise.
Ashley Liao As Clemensia Dovecoat
In addition to her role as a District 11 mentor, Clemensia Dovecoat is a dear friend to the younger version of Coriolanus Snow, the protagonist of the novel. Dovecoat is played by Ashley Liao, who has appeared on television series including The Kicks, Fuller House, and Physical.
In The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, does Katniss participate in the Hunger Games?
Since the events of the prequel take place many years before Katniss Everdeen was born, it is highly improbable that she will play a role in the movie.
Does the Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence appear in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
It is highly doubtful that Katniss, played by Jennifer Lawrence, will appear in the film because the events of the prequel take place decades before she steps in as the tribute from District 12.
Is Suzanne Collins writing a Hunger Games sequel to The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ Hunger Games is a dystopian action-adventure story and prelude to The Hunger Games series. As Collins analyzes Snow’s rise to power in the prequel, the resolution feels completely formed, implying that there will be no sequel.
Where does the latest Hunger Games film fit into this hierarchy?
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel that will take place 65 years prior to the events of the original series. You’d see it initially in a Hunger Games revisit when it’s available in theaters or online.
Where to Watch The Hunger Games Order Movies?
The Hunger Games is a must-watch for everyone because of its thrilling story and remarkable acting by the entire cast. The story captures the raw emotions, the unwavering ambitions, and the dramatic violence experienced by the characters in a dystopian adventure. If all of these attributes sound appealing to a movie lover, then The Hunger Games is a must-watch for you.
But where can I watch the Hunger Games complete movie series if you want to watch it in the correct order?
All of the movies in The Hunger Games (film series) are available on Amazon Prime for rent or purchase. Unfortunately, that is the only place you will legally find the Hunger Games stream. Alternatively, you can also rent or purchase the films through Vudu. Therefore, remember to watch each installment in the order provided above!
What is the Future of the Hunger Games Movies?
There are nearly sixty years separating the events of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the first Hunger Games film, so if the next prequel is as popular as the original films, some of those years should be filled in. Unfortunately, there are no formal intentions to develop additional films.
Conclusion
The dystopian future, sci-fi story of Hunger Games novels, and the movie series is loved by millions of young adults and adults all over the globe. The thrilling inspirational saga of Katniss Everdeen continues to be a popular watch for many. Like the books, the films in the series are all remarkable and worth a look if you haven’t yet seen them.
Hopefully, this Hunger Games article has provided you with all the information you need to watch the Hunger Games series in the correct order. We hope that the daunting task of watching the entire Hunger Games story is now more accessible and more rewarding.
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Sarah Durrani
Sarah is a writer by profession and passion. She is a real tech-savvy who loves everything tech! Talk about the latest tech releases, latest news from the tech world, on-trend tech gadgets, or simple tech hacks – Sarah knows it all! Being a movie enthusiast, she always has a close eye on the latest releases. Her insights about how well the movie will do on the box offices are surprisingly always correct! We call her the “Encyclopaedia of Movies”.