The Hunger Games movies in order The Hunger Games Marathon
Page Last Modified:
28 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 that feeling when you want to dive back into the world of the Hunger Games films, or maybe experience them for the first time? But then you wonder, in what order should you watch them? Do you start with Katniss Everdeen's fiery entrance in District 12, or do you first explore the dark origins of President Snow? If you're planning a dystopian movie marathon with friends or a solo escape into Panem with snacks and a cozy blanket, we've got you covered. This guide puts all the Hunger Games movies in the right order, with just enough info to enjoy them without any spoilers and understand why this order works best.
So grab your popcorn, turn off the lights, and get ready to see the arena come to life. 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 0 min. 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 - -
3
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 -
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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're starting this marathon with Snow, not Katniss. Coriolanus Snow, to be exact. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is set 64 years before the original trilogy, showing how the cruel President Snow was once an ambitious young mentor during the 10th Hunger Games. Tom Blyth stars as the young Snow, and Rachel Zegler plays Lucy Gray Baird, a District 12 tribute with more to her than meets the eye. Francis Lawrence, who also directed the later films, directed this dark prequel, which sets up 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 thought about how the Hunger Games system came to be and why Snow is so obsessed with control, propaganda, and power, you've got to watch this. Plus, Viola Davis as Dr. Volumnia Gaul? You'll never forget it.
The Hunger Games (2012)
Skip ahead to the 74th Hunger Games. In this movie, we meet Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), the unlikely heroine from District 12 who volunteers to replace her sister Prim. With Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), she enters the arena, guided by mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) and stylist Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), getting ready for a game where no one can win fairly. Director Gary Ross sets the tone in this first film, blending raw survival, political oppression, and a glimmer of hope. The arena, the strategy, the Capitol's elite, and the power of the television format all come together to make this an iconic start to the franchise. And let's be real, who doesn't get chills when Katniss shoots her first arrow?
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 for the Quarter Quell, an anniversary edition with deadly twists. Director Francis Lawrence steps in, adding 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 thrilling for its arena combat and for showing the cracks in the Capitol. The Mockingjay goes from being a symbol to a threat to President Snow (Donald Sutherland).
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)
The arena may be 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, dealing with trauma, loss, and manipulation. Julianne Moore is playing President Alma Coin of District 13, and Mahershala Ali and Natalie Dormer are on the rebel side. This movie is about how the Games affect people's minds, the power of the media, and how the line between liberation and exploitation is very thin. Expect less action but more intrigue, strategy, and political tension. And yeah, Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci) is still a super creepy reminder of how far the Capitol will go to manipulate the audience.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)
This is the final chapter. The revolution starts, and Katniss has to decide who she really 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 a lot to think about. For those of you who've been following Katniss' journey from survivor to revolutionary, you know this climax is anything but simple.
Why This Order Works
Watching the Hunger Games films in chronological order lets you 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 has to endure.
By watching the films in this order, you'll see how cleverly the Suzanne Collins novel adaptations are constructed. Each film builds on the last one, adding context and showing how Panem's dystopia came to be. Katniss's rebellion is similar to Lucy Gray Baird's. And Snow's paranoia? It really adds to the experience when you know his background.
Here are some 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 follow Katniss' story over the next few days. Prepare themed snacks (like bread from District 12 or Capitol cupcakes) and invite friends to debate Snow vs. Coin. Bonus: Pay attention to recurring symbolism while watching, like the Mockingjay, the rose, and the arenas as reflections of society. If you want to know more, read the book The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes afterwards. The film is great, but the original Suzanne Collins novel has even more layers.
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. It's got suspense, strategy, iconic characters, and social commentary that still feels relevant. Hey, you might even design your own rebel badge afterwards. Are you ready to watch? Take a look at the visual list below and start your Hunger Games movie marathon in the perfect order. I hope you're on a winning streak.