The Hunger Games movies in order The Hunger Games Marathon
Page Last Modified:
9 December 2025
Most Recent Release:
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping - 2026
Total Runtime:
705 Minutes
Total Items:
6
Average User Score:
(7)The Hunger Games movies in order
You know the feeling: you want to dive back into the world of the Hunger Games films, or perhaps experience them for the first time, but the question is... in what order? Do you start with Katniss Everdeen's fiery entrance in District 12, or do you first explore the dark origins of President Snow? Whether you're hosting a dystopian movie marathon with friends or planning a solo escape into Panem with snacks and a cozy blanket, we've got you covered. This guide lays out all the Hunger Games films in chronological order, providing just enough context to enjoy them spoiler-free and understand why this order works best.
So grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and let the arena unfold before you. This is your ultimate Hunger Games movie marathon.
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1
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Movie 157 min. 202364 years before he becomes the tyrannical president of Panem, Coriolanus Snow sees a chance for a change in fortunes when he mentors Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12.USER SCORE 7 -
2
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Movie 2026Return to the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games for the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.USER SCORE - -
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The Hunger Games Movie 142 min. 2012In a dystopian society where the Capitol forces each district to send two young tributes to fight to the death in a televised spectacle, a girl volunteers to take her sister’s place, setting the stage for a struggle of survival and defiance.USER SCORE 7 -
4
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Movie 146 min. 2013After surviving the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta struggle with the consequences of their victory as unrest spreads across Panem. Forced back into the spotlight, they become symbols of hope and resistance while the Capitol prepares a new and deadly challenge that will change the future of the nation forever.USER SCORE 7 -
5
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 Movie 123 min. 2014After surviving the Quarter Quell, Katniss finds herself in the hidden stronghold of District 13, where the rebellion against the Capitol is gaining momentum. Struggling with the weight of becoming the symbol of resistance, she must navigate fragile alliances while trying to protect those she loves. As propaganda battles rage and Panem moves closer to full-scale war, Katniss is forced to confront the true cost of revolution.USER SCORE 7 -
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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 Movie 137 min. 2015As the war between the Capitol and the districts reaches its peak, Katniss Everdeen embarks on a perilous mission to liberate Panem and confront President Snow. Joined by a team of trusted allies, she navigates deadly traps, shifting loyalties, and the heavy cost of rebellion, determined to bring freedom to her people and end the Hunger Games once and for all.USER SCORE 7
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
We kick off this marathon not with Katniss, but with Snow. Coriolanus Snow, to be precise. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes takes place 64 years before the original trilogy, showing us how the sadistic President Snow was once an ambitious young mentor during the 10th Hunger Games. Tom Blyth stars as the young Snow, alongside Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird, a District 12 tribute with more to her than meets the eye. Directed by Francis Lawrence, who also helmed the later films, this atmospheric, dark prequel lays the groundwork for the dystopian world we later know as Panem.
This film introduces you to the early version of the arena, the origin of the "televised death games," and the moral corruption of the Capitol. If you've ever wondered how the Hunger Games system came to be and why Snow becomes obsessed with control, propaganda, and power, this is a must-watch. Plus, Viola Davis as Dr. Volumnia Gaul? Unforgettable.
The Hunger Games (2012)
Fast-forward to the 74th Hunger Games. Here, we meet Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), the unlikely heroine from District 12 who volunteers to replace her sister Prim. Alongside Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), she enters the arena, guided by mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) and stylist Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), preparing for a game no one can win fairly.
Director Gary Ross sets the tone in this first film: a blend of raw survival, political oppression, and a glimmer of hope. The arena traps, the strategy, the Capitol's elite, and the power of the television format make this an iconic start to the franchise. And let's be honest, who doesn't get chills at Katniss' first arrow shot?
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
If you thought one Hunger Games was enough... think again. In Catching Fire, Katniss and Peeta are thrown back into the arena, this time as part of the Quarter Quell, an anniversary edition with deadly twists. Director Francis Lawrence takes the reins, elevating the franchise with more political tension, deeper characters, and an arena that is both literally and figuratively breathtaking.
Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), Johanna Mason (Jena Malone), and Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) are introduced, along with subtle hints of a growing rebellion. This film is not only thrilling for its arena combat but also because the cracks in the Capitol become visible. The Mockingjay becomes more than a symbol; it becomes a threat to President Snow (Donald Sutherland).
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)
The arena is gone, but the game is far from over. In Mockingjay - Part 1, the battle shifts to a propaganda war. Katniss becomes the face of the rebellion, struggling with trauma, loss, and manipulation. Julianne Moore joins the cast as President Alma Coin of District 13, while Mahershala Ali and Natalie Dormer bolster the rebels.
This film emphasizes the psychological impact of the Games, the power of media, and the fine line between liberation and exploitation. Expect less action but more intrigue, strategy, and political tension. And yes, Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci) remains a brilliant, eerie reminder of how far the Capitol will go to manipulate the audience.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)
The final chapter. The revolution erupts, and Katniss must decide who she truly is: pawn, symbol, or leader. Mockingjay - Part 2 brings everything together in an explosive finale filled with confrontations, sacrifices, and moral choices. The city itself becomes a deadly arena, filled with traps straight out of the Games.
The film concludes the Hunger Games franchise with a mix of action, emotion, and political sharpness. The battle between Snow and the Mockingjay reaches its peak, leaving you with plenty to ponder. And for those who have followed Katniss' journey from survivor to revolutionary, this climax is anything but simple.
Why This Order Works
Watching the Hunger Games films in chronological order allows you to see the rise and fall of the Capitol through the eyes of both the oppressor and the rebel. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes adds an extra layer to the franchise: Snow's origin, his relationship with power, and how he shapes the Games into the terrifying spectacle that Katniss later must endure.
By viewing the films in this order, you notice how cleverly the Suzanne Collins novel adaptations are constructed. Each film builds on the previous one, adding context and showing how Panem's dystopia came to be. The echoes of Lucy Gray Baird are felt in Katniss' rebellion. And Snow's paranoia? It gains much more meaning once you know his past.
Tips for Your Hunger Games Movie Marathon
Plan a weekend (or two evenings) to fully immerse yourself in Panem. Start with Ballad on a Friday night and journey through Katniss' story in the following days. Prepare themed snacks (bread from District 12, Capitol cupcakes, anyone?), and invite friends with whom you can endlessly debate Snow vs. Coin.
Bonus: Pay attention to recurring symbolism while watching - the Mockingjay, the rose, the arenas as reflections of society. And if you want to dive deeper, read the book The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes afterward. Because yes, the film is great, but there are even more layers in the original Suzanne Collins novel.
Whether you're a seasoned fan or discovering the franchise for the first time, this marathon is one of the strongest young adult dystopian binges you can undertake. With suspense, strategy, iconic characters, and social commentary that remains surprisingly relevant. And hey, who knows, you might even design your own rebel badge afterward.
Ready to watch? Check out our visual list below and start your Hunger Games movie marathon in the perfect order. May the odds be ever in your favor.