the hunger games movie reviews

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The Hunger Games Movies Ranked by Tomatometer

Following Twilight ‘s path, the The Hunger Games ignited the box office in the early 2010s, and then it was full-on ignition to the young adult adaptation craze as filmmakers chased that high of dystopian lows extracted from Suzanne Collins’ book series. Divergent , The Giver , The Maze Runner , The 5th Wave , The Host , Ender’s Game came barging in, though few could match the Hunger Games ‘ potent action, romance, and world-building, alongside the star-making combination of Jennifer Lawrence as upriser icon Katniss Everdeen. It’s a world where a ruined America, a sinister and deadly national game, and a decent love triangle collide — a maturation for the generation that grew up on millennial fantasy and Harry Potter .

Critics responded to the series overall, and especially to the urgent, thought-provoking Catching Fire . With prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes here — a prequel set 64 years before Katniss’ journey — we’re ranking The Hunger Games movies by Tomatometer!

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) 90%

The Hunger Games (2012) 84%

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 (2014) 69%

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 (2015) 69%

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) 64%

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Review: 'Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' is the best 'Hunger Games' movie of them all

Imagine if “The Phantom Menace” was better than every episode of George Lucas’ original “Star Wars” trilogy.

Kind of bonkers to think about, right? But that’s pretty much the situation with “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” (★★★ out of four; rated PG-13; in theaters Friday), an enticing blend of dystopian action epic and musical drama that surpasses the previous films starring Jennifer Lawrence . Set 64 years before the movies based on Suzanne Collins’ popular book series, this prequel chapter features Rachel Zegler ("West Side Story") as a feisty reluctant warrior, whose sass and twang are as sharp as Katniss Everdeen’s bow. The overall tale, however, centers squarely on Tom Blyth’s young Coriolanus Snow, decades before he’s the despicable president of Panem.

"Ballad" begins that ascension from the bottom. The Snow family are no longer the power players they used to be in the Capitol a decade since the war ended between the authoritarian government and Panem’s once-rebellious districts. In fact, 18-year-old Coriolanus puts on airs alongside his wealthy classmates at The Academy to hide how broke he is. He hopes his good grades grant him a needed cash prize, but there’s a change in plan.

The 10th Hunger Games – where kids from each district fight to the death – is being televised for the first time, Corio and his peers are chosen to mentor these “tributes,” and whoever wins nabs the coveted scholarship. Because the Capitol wants a bigger audience, the Academy's dean (and Hunger Games creator) Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage) orders that they be trained as “spectacles, not survivors.”

Corio is tasked with overseeing Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler) from the poverty-stricken, Southern-fried coal-mining locale District 12 – the same place that will spawn Katniss much later. Although labeled a “runt girl,” skinny Lucy showcases a big singing voice and a charming edge that appeals to the cameras as well as Corio. The two form a fast friendship: Unlike other mentors, Corio treats her like a human being and they figure out a give-and-take dynamic that Lucy Gray brings into the deadly Hunger Games arena while Corio pursues various avenues (some of them illegal) to keep her alive.

'Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes': 'Hunger Games' prequel gets first trailer starring Rachel Zegler

But the Games themselves are only one part of the narrative, which clocks in at a patience-testing 158 minutes. While the bloodsport is a more sprawling affair in the earlier films, the stripped-down “Ballad” battlefield leans dangerously intimate and brutally visceral while politicking goes on behind the scenes, with Corio working with and against frenemies for Lucy Gray’s benefit. (Jason Schwartzman also gets to shine as chatty weatherman/magician/emcee Lucky Flickerman, whose descendant is Stanley Tucci’s Caesar Flickerman in the previous films.)

The plot shifts to what happens outside the arena, as Corio and Lucy figure out if they can have a relationship as well as whether they can trust each other. It’s not as intriguing as the Hunger Games-centric stuff, but Zegler plays a different sort of heroine than Lawrence’s Katniss, plus gets to show off her pipes with Lucy Gray’s folky/country Appalachian band. In fact, she sings way more than you might expect in a dystopian action thriller, and Lucy Gray’s anti-Capitol anthem "The Hanging Tree” is one of several subtle connections to the earlier movies.

Director Francis Lawrence, back for his fourth franchise outing, has rounded up impressive leads amid a standout cast. Viola Davis is a sinister delight as Volumnia Gaul, the head gamemaker/mad scientist who does some wicked things with rainbow snakes and surprisingly takes Corio under her wing. How he journeys from decent guy to showing seeds of Donald Sutherland’s ruthless tyrant in the earlier “Games” films doesn’t completely gel, though Blyth and Davis’ chemistry does the most good in selling the inevitable heel turn.

A compelling watch that improves on what came before it, “Ballad” rocks a moodier “Harry Potter” vibe and isn't shy regarding its message about authoritarianism and the inherently corruptive aspects of the human spirit. It posits that the line between good and evil is a fine one, and similar to a man named Darth, Snow takes a deep and entertaining stroll toward the dark side.

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The hunger games: film review.

Directed by Gary Ross and based on the first in a trilogy of best-selling novels, the film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth as teens living in a dystopian future in which young people are forced to fight to the death on live television.

By Todd McCarthy

Todd McCarthy

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Hemwsworth plays Gale Hawthorne, who met Katniss due to a mine explosion which killed both of their parents.

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes of THR's 'Hunger Games' Cover Shoot

The arrow hits an outer circle of the target in The Hunger Games , an amply faithful adaptation of Suzanne Collins ‘ monster young-adult best-seller that could have used a higher blood count in more ways than one. As she did in her breakthrough film Winter’s Bone, Jennifer Lawrence anchors this futuristic and politicized elaboration of The Most Dangerous Game with impressive gravity and presence, while director Gary Ross gets enough of what matters in the book up on the screen to satisfy its legions of fans worldwide. This Lionsgate release is being positioned as the hottest property for the teen audience since Twilight , and there’s no reason to believe that box office results won’t land roughly in that vaunted vicinity.

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The Bottom Line Jennifer Lawrence is stellar in this faithful, good-enough film version of the massive best-seller.

Published in 2008, The Hunger Games marked the beginning of a trilogy, rounded out by Catching Fire and Mockingjay, which has in toto sold more than 26 million copies, with many more to come now that the film has arrived. A giant opening weekend beginning March 23, which is all but guaranteed, will no doubt trigger a green light for the second big-screen installment in the series, for which the three lead actors are already set.

A speculative fiction piece about a 16-year-old expert hunter who becomes one of 24 teenagers to compete in an annual televised combat spectacle from which only one will emerge alive, Collins’ tale rips along on the page with unflagging momentum while generating legitimate suspense and a strong rooting interest in its resourceful heroine. So visually vivid are the book’s episodes that you can practically picture a film version while reading it, meaning that it would have been foolish for any filmmaking team to veer far from the source.

PHOTOS: 10 Biggest Book-to-Big Screen Adaptations of the Past 25 Years

With Collins on board as both a co-screenwriter and executive producer, there was little chance of that, so it’s more a matter of emphasis and cinematic elan. Ross, Collins and third writer Billy Ray have stressed the fascistic political side of the story, pointing up the micromanaged manipulations of the public and the games themselves while also suggesting that contemporary reality shows and televised competitions differ from this extravaganza only in their lower mortality rate.

As for visual spectacle, there’s enough, but along with it, a feeling of being slightly shortchanged; the long shots of gigantic cityscapes, of a fast train gliding silkily through the country, of massive crowds gathered to see this year’s gladiators before they set off to kill one another, of the decorative flames emanating from the leads’ costumes as the pair is presented to the public for the first time — all are cut a bit short, as if further exposure would reveal them as one notch below first-rate. On the other hand, the costumes and makeup are a riot of imagination designed to evoke a level of topped-out decadence comparable to that of Nero’s Rome or Louis XVI’s Paris.

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Most noticeable of all, however, is the film’s lack of hunting instinct. The novel conveyed a heady sense of blood-scent, of Katniss Everdeen’s lifetime of illegal hunting paying off in survival skills that, from the outset, make her the betting favorite to win the 74th edition of the Hunger Games. While present, this critical element is skimmed over onscreen, reducing a sense of the heroine’s mental calculations as well as the intensity of her physical challenges and confrontations. One senses that the filmmakers wanted to avoid showing much hunting onscreen, for fear of offending certain sensibilities; stylistically, one longs for the visceral expressiveness of, say, Walter Hill in his prime. It’s also clear that the need for a PG-13 rating dictated moderation; a film accurately depicting the events of the book would certainly carry an R.

That said, Hunger Games has such a strong narrative structure, built-in forward movement and compelling central character that it can’t go far wrong. From the outset, it’s easy to accept a future North America, once decimated by war and now called Panem, divided into 12 districts kept under tight control by an all-powerful central government in the stunningly modernistic Capitol.

Katniss, embodied by Lawrence just as one might imagine her from the novel, lives in far-flung District 12, a poor mining region that can only have been Appalachia in earlier times (indeed, the film was shot in North Carolina). Like all other teenagers, she’s annually entered in the Reaping, in which a boy and girl from each district are chosen by lottery to compete in a murderous contest designed both for its political symbolism and public intoxication value. When her beloved little sister’s name is shockingly called, Katniss, a dead shot with bow and arrow, volunteers to take her place as a district Tribute, alongside Peeta Mellark ( Josh Hutcherson ), a shy, seemingly sweet kid with goo-goo eyes for Katniss. Her male model-like soulmate Gale ( Liam Hemsworth ) gets left behind.

The remainder of the first hour details the contestants’ preparation for the games. This involves cleaning, buffing and accoutering (rather like what happens to the visitors upon arrival in The Wizard of Oz), fight training alongside fellow combatants, abundant eating, tactical advice from oft-inebriated long-ago District 12 winner Haymitch ( Woody Harrelson ) and a public interview conducted by flamboyant TV host Caesar Flickerman ( Stanley Tucci ), a one-man panic so skilled at playing his guests that he gets Peeta to confess his adoration for the unsuspecting Katniss. Decked out with a balloon of backswept blue hair finished off by a giant bun, Tucci has a ball with this fun character, who serves to frame the brutality to come as entertainment by accentuating its personal melodramas.

Once thrown into “the arena,” a topographically varied stretch of wilderness, the Tributes do whatever it takes to survive. Quite a few are butchered at the outset in the mad dash for weapons and supplies. For her part, Katniss hightails it for the interior, where she sleeps out of sight in trees before the “gamemaker,” Seneca ( Wes Bentley ), has her flushed out by wildfire. The film goes further than the book in illustrating how omnipotent studio controllers can manipulate the action as they wish, in ways they think will create better television and, in the bargain, please their all-powerful president ( Donald Sutherland ), who will countenance no sign of resistance or rebellion.

PHOTOS: ‘The Hunger Games’ Premiere Red Carpet Interviews 

And, yet, that is what happens when the games’ youngest and sweetest contestant, Rue ( Amandla Stenberg ), after bonding with Katniss, is abruptly killed. Everything that happens out in the field is captured by countless hidden cameras (Ross and cinematographer Tom Stern shift between lush, steady camerawork for “objective” coverage and a jittery, hand-held style for on-the-spot verite footage), and Rue’s death ignites unrest in her working-class district. But this represents a mere prelude to what Katniss pulls off in the ingenious climax, which troubles the already suspicious president and neatly sets the stage for the political turmoil of the sequels.

A crucial area in which the film falls far short of the book is the charade aspect, as Katniss experiences it, of her “romance” with Peeta. Without her interior narration and deliberate play-acting once she allies herself with her fellow District 12 cohort, the gradations of her ambivalence and acceptance are smoothed over to the point of blandness. The survival story retains its vitality, but what lies underneath is stunted.

At the center of things most of the time, Lawrence remains compelling all the way. As in Winter’s Bone, she’s onscreen alone, or nearly so, a great deal, and she holds one’s attention unselfconsciously, without asking for attention or even doing much other than the task at hand. Lawrence is one of those performers the camera loves; her appearance alters in different scenes and shots — lingering baby fat shows here, she resembles a Cleopatra there — and she can convey a lot by doing little. An ideal screen actress.

The young men on hand can’t measure up to her standards and, while Harrelson has his moments, the combustible Haymitch has been rather cleaned up from the book. Making a decided impression here is Lenny Kravitz , who will probably field more acting offers after his turn as Katniss’ charismatic stylist Cinna (quite a few characters are named after Romans).

Production values are ample if not lavish. The soundtrack, a joint venture between composer James Newton Howard and executive music producer T Bone Burnett , features an intriguing blend of regional and atmospheric flavors (the end-title tune from Taylor Swift engages on a first listen), though more musical propulsion would have helped juice things up in the late going.

Opens: Friday, March 23 (Lionsgate) Production: Color Force, Lionsgate Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Wes Bentley, Toby Jones, Alexander Ludwig, Isabelle Fuhrman, Amandla Stenberg Director: Gary Ross S creenwriters: Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, Billy Ray’ based on the novel by Suzanne Collins Producers: Nina Jacobson, Jon Kilik Executive producers: Robin Bissell, Suzanne Collins, Louise Rosner-Meyer Director of photography: Tom Stern Production designer: Philip Messina Costume designer: Judianna Makovsky Editors: Stephen Mirrione, Juliette Welfling Music: James Newton Howard Executive music producer: T Bone Burnett Special effects supervisor: Sheena Duggal PG-13 rating, 142 minutes

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Review: ‘The Hunger Games’ Is Thoughtful, Thrilling Popular Entertainment That Genuinely Deserves To Be A Franchise

Todd gilchrist.

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Complexity and understatement are two criminally under-utilized values in most mainstream movies these days, but they’re at the core of, and the chief reason for the success of “ The Hunger Games .” Director Gary Ross , screenwriter of the proletariat presidential fantasy “ Dave ” and writer-director of the social-consciousness-as-sci-fi tome “ Pleasantville ,” has always engaged his subjects with a light and yet substantial touch, but his adaptation of Suzanne Collins ’ acclaimed young-adult novel is a truly remarkable achievement: he turns escapism into a deeply emotional experience. Instantly razing comparisons – qualitative especially — to other female-friendly series such as “ Twilight ,” “The Hunger Games” is the first film in a long time that deserves Hollywood’s instant-franchise ambitions because it appeals to genre fans regardless of gender by crafting a story that’s both epic and intimate, spectacular and subtle.

In the poverty-stricken, post-apocalyptic Appalachia of Panem’s District 12, Jennifer Lawrence  plays Katniss Everdeen, a fearlessly determined teenager who cares for her mother ( Paula Malcolmson ) and sister Primrose ( Willow Shields ) as the country’s wealthy live far away in the frivolous opulence of the Capitol. Despite ambitions to escape into the wilderness with longtime best friend Gale Hawthorne ( Liam Hemsworth ), Katniss’ family loyalty keeps her tethered close to home; but after Primrose is chosen as a contestant for The Hunger Games, an annual competition in which two teenagers from every district participate in a no-holds-barred battle to the death, she volunteers in her little sister’s place. Whisked off to the Capital for promotion, training and grooming by Effie Trinket ( Elizabeth Banks ), Haymitch Abernathy ( Woody Harrelson ) and Cinna ( Lenny Kravitz ) respectively, Katniss reluctantly begins preparation for (literally) the fight of her life.

After Peeta Mellark ( Josh Hutcherson ) is chosen as the other contestant from District 12, however, Katniss becomes further conflicted; not only do they know one another, but he is in love with her — and he publicly professes his feelings during an interview before the games. But as the world watches their “star-crossed romance” unfold against the backdrop of a deadly competition, Katniss’ resolve is challenged as she is forced to decide how far she will go in order to survive – especially after President Snow ( Donald Sutherland ) starts to exert pressure on Head Gamemaker Seneca Crane ( Wes Bentley ) to change the rules in order to make the Games more entertaining.

For a film that demands two paragraphs of detailed plot description, one of the great virtues of “The Hunger Games” is that it leaves a hell of a lot of stuff unspoken. The dimensions of the world and the rules of the Games notwithstanding, the story occupies itself almost exclusively with Katniss’ interior life – the exhausting dedication to keeping her mother clear-eyed and her sister safe, the determination to win the Hunger Games only in order to return home to them, and the reverberations of her familial relationships in the ones that develop as she prepares for and later engages in battle. She almost never simply says how she’s feeling, and it’s that restraint that draws in the audience as she embarks on this journey of self-discovery, because we get to discover her at the exact same time.

More remarkably, she turns out to be smart, resourceful and self-reliant – a heroine who’s sophisticated and interesting, and perhaps most importantly, never defined by her relationship to a male counterpart, or the absence of one. Although Gale and later Peeta are worthy companions for a young woman as fierce and independent as Katniss, the film never languishes in love-triangle melodrama. Further, the development of the burgeoning romance between Katniss and Peeta during the games feels appropriately half-hearted because her focus is on her family, not “her fella,” and the film briefly even becomes a metatextual commentary on audience-friendly storytelling conventions when the duo’s handlers acknowledge the appeal of a star-crossed coupling and encourage Katniss to exploit it to keep both her and Peeta in the Games.

It certainly helps that the cast is comprised of folks with real talent, who were then directed to give nuanced, complex performances. If there’s a pair of eyes more entrancing than Lawrence’s in movies today, I have yet to see them, but the reason she continues to captivate even after you’ve submitted to her more superficial charms is because the young actress has a commanding physical presence, palpable intelligence and acting ability to bring all of those qualities together. Katniss quite frankly is almost an ideal female movie character — strong and vulnerable in equal measures, complicated, and not always likeable but endlessly sympathetic – and Lawrence delivers far more than even the script demands. That we wonder how deep Katniss’ feelings run for Peeta at the end of the film is a testament not only to the script’s subtlety and deliberate ambiguity, but the sophistication of Lawrence’s performance in the role.

Meanwhile, Hutcherson and Hemsworth both create lust-worthy leading men, but in a way that builds off of the script’s determination not to overpower the audience with an instantaneous preference; rather than pitting the “obvious” choice against the appealing also-ran, Edward-versus-Jacob style, the two actors are equals in terms of both immediate appeal and deeper substance, and they introduce and establish their characters ably while willingly taking second place to Katniss’ more practical concerns. And while most of the Capitol-dwellers, including characters played by Stanley Tucci, Toby Jones and Elizabeth Banks, are as well-defined by their outrageous outfits as their effectively exaggerated performances, Kravitz and Harrelson quietly rescue the rest of the adult cast members from feeling mostly lost in the film’s fantasy world, managing to embrace the theatricality of their surroundings while offering meatier and more thoughtful turns opposite their younger costars.

Among the movie’s only real shortcomings are its frenetic, handheld visual style, and its occasional (unexplained to rubes like yours truly) digressions to satiate fans of the source material. Ross is a gifted director, but on this film it seems like he showed up late to a Paul Greengrass party – the camera too frequently, and often unjustifiably, shivers and shimmies through sequences that would be just as effective were they shot with a tripod. (There’s a knife fight towards the end of the film where I never saw the knife.) Meanwhile, Ross and co. understandably kowtow to some fan expectations, but in many cases those choices feel superfluous – escalation of action that’s already sufficiently dramatic, or the introduction of a character who’s underdeveloped or unnecessary.

That said, the great thing about shortcomings like those is that they only further serve to highlight what a great job the filmmakers did otherwise bringing this material to life, and making it such an effective ride on its own terms. Ultimately, Ross hasn’t just successfully mounted an adaptation of a hot literary property, or even launched a film series that earns the right to be a franchise. He’s produced an engaging, thoughtful, populist piece of entertainment that transcends gender, genre or source material. The rare blockbuster that’s as smart as it is spectacular, “The Hunger Games” offers a full meal and still makes you want to go back for more. [B+]  

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The hunger games.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 296 Reviews
• Kids Say 1,344 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Strong female lead in violent, thought-provoking adaptation.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Hunger Games is the first installment in the action film series based on Suzanne Collins' bestselling novels. The film stays true to the books' constant depictions of violence and cruelty, mostly among teen characters. They try to kill one another using various weapons, including…

Why Age 14+?

As in the book, The Hunger Games' central "pageant" is a televised battle to the

Haymitch is often drunk; he has a drink in his hand for the first half of the mo

No product placements in the film, but the viral marketing and merchandise tie-i

Very infrequent use of words like "damn," "hell," and "oh my God" (as an exclama

A teen confesses his longtime crush to another teen. They kiss and make out a co

Any Positive Content?

Katniss is a brave, resourceful, capable young warrior who looks after those she

On the one hand, courage, self-control, and perseverance -- plus teamwork among

The cast is mostly White, with Black characters in positive supporting roles. Ka

Violence & Scariness

As in the book, The Hunger Games' central "pageant" is a televised battle to the death: 24 children between the ages of 12 and 18 are selected to participate in a bloody reality show-style contest in which there's only one victor. Pervasive sense of peril and tension. Once the Games start, there's an immediate bloodbath, with vicious weapon use, a fair amount of blood, and several dead bodies -- though the quick editing means that the most gruesome bits aren't lingered on. Young combatants die from spears, arrows, knives, deadly insect bites, attacks by genetically modified dog-like creatures, and poisonous berries (some deaths occur off camera). A couple of them also have their necks snapped or heads bashed. The Gamemakers purposely devise situations to try to kill off characters, including a scary fire with fireball projectiles; another scene has a large explosion. Katniss is badly burned; Peeta gets a nasty knife injury. Gory snippets of footage from earlier Games and scenes of a riot (and subsequent retaliation by government forces).

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Haymitch is often drunk; he has a drink in his hand for the first half of the movie -- though as he gains focus/motivation, he drinks less. Several dinner and party scenes show adults and teenagers drinking various brightly colored beverages/cocktails.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

No product placements in the film, but the viral marketing and merchandise tie-ins for the movie (and books) include a line of themed nail polish, as well as apparel, jewelry, games, and more.

Very infrequent use of words like "damn," "hell," and "oh my God" (as an exclamation).

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A teen confesses his longtime crush to another teen. They kiss and make out a couple of times.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Role Models

Katniss is a brave, resourceful, capable young warrior who looks after those she loves. Her entire journey is based on a selfless decision to take her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games. Despite the horrific circumstances that she and Peeta are forced into, they persevere to stay true to themselves and protect each other (and, in Katniss' case, Rue). Peeta encourages Katniss to not let the Capitol make her a pawn in their game. Gale, Katniss' unconditional friend, promises to provide for her family in her absence. Haymitch is a flawed but ultimately committed mentor to Katniss and Peeta; Cinna offers Katniss sympathy and support.

Positive Messages

On the one hand, courage, self-control, and perseverance -- plus teamwork among like-minded friends -- can help you survive in harsh conditions, such as a dictatorship. But lying and deception are also rewarded.

Diverse Representations

The cast is mostly White, with Black characters in positive supporting roles. Katniss is a strong, independent female lead who stands up for oppressed people and protects her loved ones. Katniss' sisterly love with the brave teen Rue -- played by multiracial actor Amandla Stenberg, who has African American, Danish, and Greenlandic Inuit heritage -- is a highlight. Lenny Kravitz (who's biracial Black and White) gives soul to the talented stylist Cinna, an empathetic mentor. Nigerian-born American actor Dayo Okeniyi plays Thresh, one of the strongest characters in the film, who's tough on the outside but incredibly compassionate.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Parents need to know that The Hunger Games is the first installment in the action film series based on Suzanne Collins' bestselling novels . The film stays true to the books' constant depictions of violence and cruelty, mostly among teen characters. They try to kill one another using various weapons, including knives, arrows, and spears. Necks are snapped, and heads are bashed. Blood, gore, and dead bodies are constantly shown, and characters are poisoned and burned. One sympathetic teen character's death is especially hard to watch. Infrequent strong language includes "damn" and "hell," and one character is often drunk. Despite the film's mature content, main character Katniss ( Jennifer Lawrence ) and her friends and mentors demonstrate various character strengths, including courage, self-control, perseverance, and teamwork. Katniss is a brave, complex female lead, and though the cast is mostly White, Black actors have positive supporting roles. The movie explores thought-provoking themes about reality television, totalitarian government, and screen violence as entertainment. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (296)
• Kids say (1,344)

Based on 296 parent reviews

One of the most important movies...

What's the story.

In a post-apocalyptic future, North America -- now known as Panem -- is composed of 12 districts that are controlled by the totalitarian Capitol. Every year, one boy and one girl from each district are randomly selected to compete in THE HUNGER GAMES, a televised battle to the death for the Capitol's amusement. When 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen's ( Jennifer Lawrence ) younger sister is chosen as one of District 12's representatives, Katniss volunteers to be the tribute in her sister's place. Aided by former winner Haymitch ( Woody Harrelson ), personal stylist Cinna ( Lenny Kravitz ), and fellow tribute Peeta ( Josh Hutcherson ), Katniss embarks on an unimaginable journey to emerge as the Games' sole victor, even though that means 23 others will have to die.

Is It Any Good?

Director Gary Ross has faithfully and lovingly adapted the first installment of Suzanne Collins ' riveting dystopian trilogy. Younger teens, even those who've read the book, may find the movie's visceral, sometimes bloody teen-on-teen violence upsetting. But its depictions of violence serve more as the foil to the compelling Katniss, played by Lawrence who completely brings "The Girl on Fire" to life in The Hunger Games. She anchors the movie with her heartfelt portrayal of a fierce, selfless young woman who knows how to survive and how to save the people she loves. And Hutcherson is fantastic as the thoughtful and protective Peeta. (Fans expecting high romance should know there are several tender moments, but their love story takes a rightful back seat to Katniss' extraordinary tale.)

The supporting characters are all equally up to the task of realizing Collins' vision. Stanley Tucci is particularly wonderful as scene-stealing Caesar Flickerman, a smarmy TV personality who hosts the Games and interviews all of the competitors. Elizabeth Banks is hilarious as Effie Trinket, the Capitol's liaison to District 12, and Harrelson is a slightly more understated but just as clever version of perpetually drunk Haymitch. In addition, Kravitz depicts mentor and stylist Cinna with great panache, while then-newcomer Amandla Stenberg portrays the sensitive Rue with emotional strength. These actors give their all to this captivating commentary on government, entertainment, and self-identity. The Hunger Games is violent, but in a heartbreaking way that will make audiences think -- and quickly queue up The Hunger Games' sequel, Catching Fire .

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how the "last man standing" premise of The Hunger Games compares to reality TV shows. Which series pit people against each other? Why is it so much fun to watch the alliances, voting off, and general cattiness of these programs? How far do you think shows like this could go, or should go?

Use the movie's depiction of Panem -- particularly the relationship between the Capitol and the 12 districts -- to discuss how much kids understand about totalitarian governments and dictatorships. What does President Snow mean when he says he doesn't root for "underdogs"? Or that too much hope is a dangerous thing? Why are there more bleak portrayals of the distant future than optimistic ones? What are some other books and movies that feature a post-apocalyptic or post-war future?

How does Katniss compare to other female leads in young adult stories? What are some of her unique character strengths? What are her views on love, marriage, and kids, and how are they tied to the unimaginably dire circumstances she endures?

How do the characters in the film demonstrate courage , self-control , perseverance , and teamwork ? Why are these important character strengths ?

How does the movie compare to the book? What are the main differences? Is it different to see violence rather than to read about it?

Movie Details

• In theaters : March 23, 2012
• On DVD or streaming : August 18, 2012
• Cast : Jennifer Lawrence , Josh Hutcherson , Woody Harrelson , Amandla Stenberg , Liam Hemsworth
• Director : Gary Ross
• Inclusion Information : Female actors, Non-Binary actors, Bisexual actors, Gay actors, Pansexual actors, Black actors, Multiracial actors, Female writers
• Studio : Lionsgate
• Genre : Action/Adventure
• Topics : Book Characters , Great Girl Role Models
• Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Self-control , Teamwork
• Run time : 142 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : intense violent thematic material and disturbing images - all involving teens
• Award : Kids' Choice Award
• Last updated : June 17, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

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What to watch next.

The Hunger Games, Book 1

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

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The Hunger Games

By Peter Travers

Peter Travers

Relax, you legions of Hunger Gamers. We have a winner. Hollywood didn’t screw up the film version of Suzanne Collins’ young-adult bestseller about a survival-of-the-fittest reality show that sends home all its teen contestants, save the victor, in body bags. The screen Hunger Games radiates a hot, jumpy energy that’s irresistible. It has epic spectacle, yearning romance, suspense that won’t quit and a shining star in Jennifer Lawrence , who gives us a female warrior worth cheering.

As 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, the renegade hunter who kills with a bow and arrow and stands up to take the place of her younger sister in the deadly Games, Lawrence reveals a physical and emotional grace that’s astonishing. Give her the deed, because she owns this movie. It’s not just that Katniss makes Twilight ‘s Bella Swan look like the wimp she is, it’s that Lawrence, 21, is an acting dynamo with the skills to let us into Katniss’ searching mind. Last year, Lawrence won an Oscar nomination for playing an Ozark girl in Winter’s Bone . She’s just as affecting this time, lending primal force to this dystopian fable of a society out of sync with human values.

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Like Bella before her, Katniss is pursued by two laddies-in-waiting, in this case Gale Hawthorne ( Liam Hemsworth ), the strapping District 12 hunk and fellow illegal hunter she leaves behind, and Peeta Mellark ( Josh Hutcherson ), the baker’s son who joins Katniss in the Games and secretly pines for her. Are you Team Gale or Team Peeta? You might not care as much, since neither has the exotic allure of a vampire or a wolf. But Hemsworth ( The Last Song , with girlfriend Miley Cyrus) quickly establishes a strong, appealing presence. And Hutcherson ( The Kids Are All Right ) brings humor and a bruised heart to a boy who needs to mature fast.

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The Hunger Games Review

23 Mar 2012

142 minutes

The Hunger Games

Probably the greatest achievement of The Hunger Games, and there are many, is that in adapting a phenomenally successful teen novel its creative team have produced something that works as a film, not just as an adaptation of a book. There’s no required reading before entering the cinema in order to ‘get it’, and it’s well above the ‘all your favourite bits but with pictures’ business that has become the accepted standard. When a series has sold millions of copies, as Suzanne Collins’ trilogy has, the default position is to produce something that will look just as readers imagined, to show what we were all thinking, rather than offer something nobody had considered. The Hunger Games as a novel has been dissected, expanded and retooled into something intelligent, immersive and powerfully current.

The world of Panem, a futuristic America, is established elegantly in about 90 seconds. First we see two men discussing an event called The Hunger Games in front of an audience; both men evidently so luxuriating in time and money that they can tint and trim every inch of their surface until they resemble painted couture clowns. Then, with a literal scream, we cut to District 12, where all is grey and people dress like the cast of a regional stage production of Little House On The Prairie. This is how Panem is divided. There are the haves and the have-nots. The haves live in The Capitol, amid great wealth and power. The have-nots live in a series of impoverished districts, put under oppressive rule after a failed uprising some time in the indefinite past. Each year two of every district’s youngest members are selected to battle to the death in an arena, from which one will emerge victorious for... no real reason. The poor will do as they are told, however senseless, and the rich will keep on keeping on. The echoes of the 99%ers are clear and not unintended.

This world bleeds with a cruelty from which director Gary Ross never retreats. Even luxury is portrayed as almost oppressive — gluttonous and requiring constant effort. Our heroine, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), is introduced hunting a cute little deer — typically movie shorthand for a complete monster. She has no time for being wistful because she has to survive. This runs right through the film: what is survival worth? Lawrence is perfect as Katniss. There’s very little softness about her, more a melancholy determination that good must be done even if that requires bad things. She stretches many of the tightly anguished muscles built in Winter’s Bone — the District 12 scenes have a similar hard-bitten feel — plus some other more traditionally gym-honed ones.

The violence and cruelty is most explicit in the Hunger Games arena, a vast, synthetic forest where 24 children hunt each other, and the level of brutality is very smartly done. You don’t get a rating suitable for a teenage audience by gutting preteens or decorating the landscape with their blood. So Ross cuts around it. The constantly searching, handheld camerawork used throughout the film comes in most useful during moments of violence, flashing round the action and making you think you’ve seen everything without ever really clocking anything that would upset your appetite.

If this were real, it slyly asks, would you watch it? Well, would you?

It’s an old trick but a very effective one. The only clumsy element of these scenes is an intermittent commentary provided by Stanley Tucci and Toby Jones, which fills in incidental story details in a brash ‘Basil Exposition’ way. When it pops up, it kills the momentum.

Arguably more interesting than the cruelty within the arena is that going on outside, which is almost entirely of the film’s invention. Unlike in the book, we see The Capital’s Gamemakers pulling the strings, despatching contestants with casual stage directions. It’s all played with a cold, even hand, chilling in its absolute lack of concern for consequence. It’s these moments that linger after the film has finished because it doesn’t seem quite so very removed from reality. If this were real, it slyly asks, would you watch it? Well, would you?

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Why Suzanne Collins Can Never Write A Hunger Games Sequel (Besides The Obvious)

Why did rey bury the two lightsabers in rise of skywalker, emma stone's divisive black comedy becomes streaming success following disappointing box office, while the hunger games is not a non-stop fight-to-the-death action film, it succeeds at being something even more interesting..

Following the conclusion of the Harry Potter and Twilight book series, which wrapped-up in 2007 and 2008 respectively, Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games became the next "big thing" for young adult fiction readers. However, much like the darker themes presented in the later Harry Potter installments, The Hunger Games explores some especially heavy material - making it a go-to book series for not just young adults, but plenty of readers who also enjoy deeper literary offerings. As a result, it's no surprise that The Hunger Games  film adaptation has, for some time, been one of the most anticipated movie events of 2012 - setting records for pre-release ticket sales and opening weekend sold-out shows.

That said, does writer/director Gary Ross ( Seabiscuit and Pleasantville - not to mention writing credits on Big , Dave , and Mr. Baseball ) ultimately deliver a Hunger Games film adaptation that accurately transports fan-favorite characters and events onto the big screen - as well as offering up an entertaining movie experience for audience members who haven't bothered with the books?

Despite a few hiccups that come with distilling a 350 page book (told in first person) into a two hour and twenty minute film, The Hunger Games is not only a solid adaptation of the source material - it succeeds at covering a copious amount of backstory, while at the same time delivering some genuinely entertaining (and at times, thrilling) moments, even for those who are still unfamiliar with the book series.  The Hungers Games books are jam-packed with supporting characters and in-depth mythos - and so is the film adaptation (at times to a fault).

The basic story takes place in a dystopian future where the Capitol rules over the country of Panem (in what used to be North America) - and uses "The Hunger Games" to suppress the surrounding districts. Each year, the Capitol randomly selects one girl and boy from each of the twelve districts to participate in the Hunger Games - where the 24 "tribute" children fight to the death until only one remains.

When young Primrose Everdeen is chosen as tribute at the District 12 "reaping," her big sister, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), volunteers to fight in her place. Katniss is joined by fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), a strong but insecure baker's son, and the two embark on a (one way?) trip to the Capitol to face off against the other district tributes (as well as one another). However, with guidance from District 12 resident (and previous Hunger Games winner) Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), stylist Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), and chaperone Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), Katniss and Peeta quickly discover that to survive the games they'll need more than just fast feet and good aim.

The central storyline from the books remains intact for the film adaptation, as Katniss attempts to make sense of her situation - both in terms of attempting to survive the Hunger Games (inside and outside of the arena), as well as the difference between illustrious Capitol life and the stark poverty she experienced back home in District 12. Katniss requires a lot from Lawrence (both physically and emotionally) and, as usual, the actress delivers a good, nuanced performance. While the role isn't likely to get her another "Best Actress" nomination at the Oscars, she does more with this genre piece than most of her peers might have attempted (just as she did with Mystique in X-Men: First Class ).

There's little doubt that some moviegoers will dismiss The Hunger Games as the next Twilight saga - in terms of the quality of the acting and production values. However, as we addressed in our article detailing " 5 Facts About ‘The Hunger Games’ Movie for Those Who Haven’t Read the Books ," Ross actually lined up a lot of top-tier acting talent (up-and-comers as well as Hollywood veterans) to ground the horrific events depicted in The Hunger Games with believable (and meaningful) performances. Hutcherson (as fellow tribute Peeta) also succeeds in keeping up with Lawrence - presenting one of the more interesting characters in the film (even with a pink-haired Elizabeth Banks and drunk Woody Harrelson running around); Hutcherson also delivers during a pair of especially contemplative moments.

Unfortunately, even Peeta isn't safe from the book-to-film adaptation process - as  many side characters are left entirely undeveloped or presented with somewhat muddled motivations. The scope of the film leaves some character actions and motivations a bit vague, which will cause non-fans to leave the theater with a mixed impression of who they are.  In the case of Peeta, despite a full character arc that works on the surface level, his in-arena motivations aren't nearly as cohesive (or as interesting) as they are in the source material. In addition, the "Mockingjay," which has major thematic importance (not to mention practical application) in the book series goes almost entirely undeveloped in the film, and despite a lot of onscreen time that's spent on the subject, doesn't ever come full-circle. These aren't just "adaptation" nitpicks, in terms of what is shown on screen - the film leaves plotholes that could be confusing for general audiences (given the time that was spent setting them up).

Similarly, with one or two exceptions, the non-District 12 tributes are mostly just blank caricatures that leave next-to-no emotional impact as either victims or villains. Obviously, with 24 tributes, not to mention a number of non-Games side characters, it would be hard to get to know everyone (a lot of the kids are throwaways in the book); however, as a film (as opposed to a book - where Katniss is limited to first person), the experience could have benefited from a bit more time spent with a few other tributes - so that as they attempt to slaughter (or help) Katniss, they'd have more impact than just the immediate onscreen action. It's a tricky balance, and though the director succeeds overall, there are times when  The Hunger Games  seems more concerned with building up the larger world in preparation for a sequel, than fully serving some of the moments and characters featured in the current installment. That said, Ross does succeed in utilizing the film medium for the better, such as when he makes up for the lack of Katniss' internal thoughts by smartly implementing external sources for much needed exposition (via the game announcers and production team).

It needs to be said that some moviegoers - those expecting an epic action movie experience - may also find that the film drags (especially in Act 2), given the lengthy run time. Anyone interested in the series mythos will be sated by seeing book characters re-imagined on the big screen, but prior to the actual Hunger Games , there are very few (read: zero) large-scale action pieces to break up all the world-building and exposition. Patient moviegoers will enjoy plenty of intriguing character drama, but there's no doubt that the film (like the books) relies heavily on the back end to hit its action quota. Ultimately, action fans may still be underwhelmed by the actual Games themselves.

Quick, frantic cuts probably helped the film maintain a PG-13 rating, given all the teenagers that die on camera, but as a result, the film is short on captivating battle choreography or epic one-on-one confrontations. Instead of large-scale action set pieces, The Hunger Games movie presents a story about Katniss surviving (and often hiding) - not outright hunting down her fellow tributes - and because of that, the Games portion (despite loads of tense moments) could prove to be underwhelming. In the end, the film is better off for the restraint that Ross employs - since it keeps the focus on Katniss and her plight (not over-the-top CGI explosions) - but it will limit the entertainment value of the onscreen action for some moviegoers.

As the first installment in what will be a four-part film series (based on a three-part book series), Ross has done a solid job establishing the series' major players, as well as the ins and outs of Panem society. Ultimately the director crams a lot of quality content into the film's two-hour twenty-minute runtime - though some plot threads, scenes, and characters are underserved by the movie's conclusion. While The Hunger Games is not a non-stop fight-to-the-death action film, it succeeds at being something even more interesting - a fascinating and disturbing (not to mention tense) character drama that successfully captures the core themes of the book.

If you’re still on the fence about  The Hunger Games , check out the trailer below:

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For an in-depth discussion of the film by the Screen Rant team check out our  Hunger Games  episode of the SR Underground podcast .

If you want to discuss details about the film without worrying about spoiling it for those who haven't seen it, please head over to our Hunger Games Spoiler Discussion !

Follow me on Twitter @ benkendrick  - and let us know what you thought of the film below.

The Hunger Games is rated PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images – all involving teens. Now playing in theaters.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is the first of four in the action-drama movie series based on the novels by Suzanne Collins. Set in a dystopian world where people are separated into twelve districts to maintain order, this first film in the franchise focuses on Katniss Everdeen as she is forced to participate in The Hunger Games: a draconian gladiatorial survival event where there can be only one winner.

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The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"

When a movie like “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” comes along, it makes my inner feminist-leaning 13-year-old stand up and cheer. Of course, the mere existence of a successful girl-powered franchise that does not revolve around potential suitors with supernatural powers is enough to keep her smiling.

The scene in “Catching Fire” that especially fired up my lingering adolescent alter-ego? When Jennifer Lawrence —essential as warrior heroine Katniss Everdeen in Round 2 of this young-adult lit-based enterprise, much in the same way that Vivien Leigh was indispensable in “ Gone With the Wind “—suddenly twirls about in her would-be wedding dress during a TV interview meant to distract the downtrodden populace of Panem. What initially looks like a multi-tiered, white-frosted cage is engulfed in flames and transforms into a supple midnight-bluish winged symbol of subversion that emulates the Mockingjay, the mascot of a growing rebellion in the land. One gown represents female entrapment and expectations, the other human freedom and opportunity. Call it a Barbie-meets-Joan of Arc moment. And not every man can rock a lavender ponytail and a pompadour at the same time, but darn if Stanley Tucci ’s fawning oil-slick of a TV host Caesar Flickerman—part Ryan Seacrest, part Siegfried and Roy—manages to pull it off. “Girl on Fire is so cheeky,” he declares of Katniss with a half-smile, half-sneer when she performs her dress trick.

Yes, fashion can be a weapon for good and a vehicle for revolution—at least in this dystopia, with its Fascist regime led by the serenely insidious President Snow ( Donald Sutherland ). Here, gawd-awful gaudy too often passes for style. We are talking about you, Elizabeth Banks , in the guise of giddy government-instated cheerleader Effie Trinket, with bedazzled Oompa Loompa wigs and eyelashes that appear to be leaden lace cookies. (At least she is allowed to be a warmer presence this time around.)

Katniss’s quick-change act is almost topped by the sight of Lawrence going full-on Liz Taylor in “Cleopatra” with Roman-circus hair and makeup, riding in a chariot before a thunderous throng and later wearing another stunning bird-inspired outfit to a pre-Hunger Games soiree. Good thing that the flinty-eyed Oscar winner is as adept at silently conveying the haunted psyche of her ace archer as she is at showcasing these fantasy frocks. Otherwise, it would be even more obvious that—just like any other No. 2 in an ongoing franchise—”Catching Fire” is merely a placeholder. And it is particularly dour experience given Katniss’s post-traumatic state of mind, as the plot simply picks up where the first movie left off and closes nowhere near to a satisfying climax.

The 2 ½-hour running time is split in two: First, we learn that Katniss’s ploy last time to upend the rules of the games so that she and faux boyfriend Peeta Mellark ( Josh Hutcherson , still unduly cuddly) would both survive as co-champions has made Penam’s less fortunate think they, too, can rise against their overlords. As the supposed engaged couple go on tour to greet their fans, it becomes clear they see Katniss as an inspirational leader, a role she inch-by-inch grows to accept.

With an assist from Philip Seymour Hoffman as the too-smooth-to-be-true new gamesmaker Plutarch Heavensbee, Snow announces a special all-stars edition of the 75th-anniversary Hunger Games Quarter Quell. Former victors of previous games recruited from Panem’s 12 districts will be pitted against one another, and Katniss and Peeta must put their lives on the line again.

The last hour is devoted to an Olympian death match in a mock tropical jungle. The fun, such as it is, begins with such visually intriguing challenges as toxic mist, rabid baboons and a downpour of blood. Several welcome new battle participants come aboard. Much like Hoffman, such terrific talents as Jeffrey Wright , Amanda Plummer and Jena Malone are overqualified for their parts, but each delivers a distinctly defined character that brightens the proceedings considerably. At least Malone as the punk-cool Johanna provides Lawrence with a fierce foil to play against. The biggest and maybe only true laugh arrives when Johanna strips off her clothes in an elevator to the appreciation of Peeta and the disdain of Katniss.

Director Francis Lawrence (“ I Am Legend ,” “ Water for Elephants “) is confident enough to not go too heavy on the much-disdained hand-held camerawork used by his predecessor, Gary Ross . With a script by two Oscar-winning writers, “ Slumdog Millionaire “’s Simon Beaufoy and “ Little Miss Sunshine “’s Michael Arndt (although credited as Michael deBruyn), the action and even the speechifying move along swiftly enough.

Yet “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” suffers from the same “something old, something borrowed “ disease that is the enemy of originality in too many Hollywood efforts of late. It is difficult to enjoy a film when you are checking off all the sources it references—”Lost” and “Survivor” from television, Star Wars (what is with the Stormtrooper ripoffs?) and “ The Running Man ” from movies, and Roman and Greek myths.

What makes the books and the films compelling is the way they define anxieties and pop-culture obsessions in our everyday lives: anger over politicians, fascination with celebrities, a growing disgruntled underclass, addiction to reality shows and video games, the regularity of large-scale violent acts that monopolize TV coverage, and hateful outbreaks of bullying.

Of course, the one truly fresh invention—and the one that matters most—is Katniss herself. With each on-screen chapter, the poor girl from District 12 continues to fulfill her destiny as an inspiration and a rebel fighter. She is but one female, but she’s the perfect antidote to the surplus of male superheroes out there.

And talk about a brewing rebellion: this is the rare action blockbuster that dares to make do without 3D. We who wear glasses already and would rather spend the ticket premium on popcorn salute you, Katniss and company .

Susan Wloszczyna

Susan Wloszczyna spent much of her nearly thirty years at USA TODAY as a senior entertainment reporter. Now unchained from the grind of daily journalism, she is ready to view the world of movies with fresh eyes.

• Maria Howell as Seeder
• Stephanie Leigh Schlund as Cashmere
• Stanley Tucci as Caeser Flickerman
• Willow Shields as Primrose Everdeen
• Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark
• Bruno Gunn as Brutus
• E. Roger Mitchell as Chaff
• Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee
• Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair
• Alan Ritchson as Gloss
• Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy
• Lenny Kravitz as Cinna
• Lynn Cohen as Mags
• Toby Jones as Claudius Templesmith
• Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
• Jena Malone as Johanna Mason
• Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket
• Amanda Plummer as Wiress
• Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne
• Meta Golding as Enobaria
• Donald Sutherland as President Snow
• Patrick St. Esprit as Romulus Thread
• Francis Lawrence
• Simon Beaufoy
• Suzanne Collins

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Hunger Games, The (United States, 2012)

The Hunger Games comes charging out of the gate with a daunting task: fill the chasm in the fangirl cinematic franchise machine created by the completion of the Harry Potter saga and the impending end to all things Twilight . The Hunger Games cycle is popular with the target "young adult" demographic but lacks the eye-popping sales numbers of either J.K. Rowling or Stephanie Meyer. Nevertheless, taken at face value, The Hunger Games represents the best first book adaptation of any of the three series. It surpasses Christopher Columbus' Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone by a whisker and Catherine Hardwicke's Twilight by considerably more than that. The Hunger Games is fast-paced, slickly plotted, and (as with the best science fiction) addresses substantive issues in the subtext. The story contains some cheats and many of the plot elements are borrowed from other sources, but the end result is engrossing. Fans will be delighted. Non-fans should give this movie a chance.

The Hunger Games belongs to the post-apocalyptic genre, with events taking place at an unspecified future date. At some point, North America became known as Panem - a nation divided into 13 districts surrounding a powerful central Capitol. 75 years before the start of the movie, the districts rebelled against the Capitol but the rebellion was crushed. District 13 was destroyed and, as part of the peace settlement, the other twelve districts were forced to participate in "The Hunger Games." Once per year, a lottery is held and two "tributes" (one male and one female between the ages of 12 and 18) are sent from each district to a battle-to-the-death gladiatorial struggle that is the biggest televised event across all of Panem. After 23 deaths, the lone survivor is declared the champion.

For the 74th annual Hunger Games, 12-year old Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields) is chosen as the female tribute from District 12. To save her sister from almost certain death, 16-year old Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers to take Primrose's place. She is accompanied on the journey to the Capitol by her male counterpart, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). Once there, she trains with Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), a bitter drunk who won the games more than 20 years earlier. She receives moral support and image advice from Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) and Cinna (Lennie Kravitz). Her boldness and showmanship make her an immediate popular favorite - something that angers President Snow (Donald Sutherland) while delighting the game's organizer (Wes Bentley) and the on-air commentator (Stanley Tucci). When the games begin, Katniss uses Haymitch's advice to survive the opening "bloodbath," then pretends to share a romance with Peeta to enhance her image. In the end, however, she develops genuine feelings for him, which become a potential problem since, in order for her to win, he must die.

The Hunger Games mines a wealth of prior sources varying from Greek mythology (Theseus) and Roman history (gladiators) to the Doctor Who 1985 story, "Vengeance on Varos" (broadcasting of violent contests to pacify the masses) and the Star Trek episode, "Amok Time" (best friends fighting to the death). Its closest cousin might well be The Running Man . It's Survivor for the bloodthirsty crowd, with alliances and eliminations, but there are no immunity idols or tribal councils. And the end is more permanent than merely being voted off the island. The Hunger Games is darkly critical of the public's embrace of the violent side of "reality" shows and paints an ugly portrait of human fascination with celebrating the suffering and death of others. The Capitol uses The Hunger Games like a drug to distract the populace from the grimness of everyday life.

The popularity of The Hunger Games with girls is explained by the first-person perspective of a strong female character. (This also helps to explain the otherwise inexplicable popularity of Twilight , but it doesn't extend to Harry Potter .) Katniss is a compelling, relatable individual who, as a result of a superlative performance by Jennifer Lawrence, immediately connects with the audience. Lawrence, with her blonde tresses dyed dark, is the key to the movie working as well as it does. She crafts a character worth rooting for and is easily The Hunger Games ' acting standout.

Lawrence's same age co-star is Josh Hutcherson, whose resume includes such diverse fare as The Kids are All Right and Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant . He doesn't rivet the camera with Lawrence's intensity, but there's a puppy dog likeability to him that captures our affection. In what amounts to a role reversal, he's a capable damsel in distress to Lawrence's heroic knight errant. The secondary cast is populated by familiar names: Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, and Donald Sutherland. The Hunger Games has a long way to go, however, to match Harry Potter for density of high-profile actors.

Director Gary Ross is known for choosing his projects carefully. This is only his third directorial outing in 15 years (following Pleasantville and Sea Biscuit ). In The Hunger Games , he shows too much fondness for the shaky-cam approach to action scenes, although there is method to his madness. By rendering the most violent sequences incomprehensible, he dilutes their impact. One could make a compelling case that The Hunger Games is bloody enough to deserve an R, but Ross' stylistic approach limits the disturbing aspects sufficiently to slide the movie under the PG-13 limbo bar.

The Hunger Games is an able adaptation of its source material although, of necessity, much of the backstory has been condensed or removed. Viewers are provided sufficient flavor to hint at greater complexity. The lion's work of the scripting was done by the book's author, Suzanne Collins. Unlike J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer, she took an active role in shaping how the cinematic version of her world looks and feels. A couple dubious attempts are made at creating pop cultural touchstones. The oft-repeated refrain of "May the odds be ever in your favor" lacks the simple elegance of "May the Force be with you." And there's a four-note "theme" that is vaguely reminiscent of the five-note signature from Close Encounters of the Third Kind .

There are times when The Hunger Games takes the easy way out rather than forcing the heroine to face painful moral choices. These instances are forgivable because they, along with the admittedly generic love story, lighten a potentially grim tone. The Hunger Games is effective in generating suspense. We recognize that Katniss is going to survive (other than George R.R. Martin, few authors are comfortable offing their main character), but the tension comes from learning how . Fully half the movie's long 140-minute running time is spent in the games, so we're not cheated of the experience of seeing how the competition develops.

A case has been made that the book The Hunger Games bears more than a passing resemblance to the 1999 novel Battle Royale but regardless of the degree to which Collins did or did not borrow from that source, The Hunger Games has an identity of its own. Though its most bold cultural statements (the pervasive influence of violence as entertainment and the Big Brother power of a totalitarian government in a technological era) are derivative, the fact that a property aimed at "young adults" would make them at all is somewhat remarkable.

A determination has not yet been made whether the other two chapters of The Hunger Games trilogy will be filmed - that will depend largely upon the movie's box office performance (which, at least as of this writing, looks to be impressive). The film does not demand a sequel - the story is self-contained and, although there are "hooks" that could connect this to another installment, The Hunger Games can exist comfortably in a vacuum. It should not be lumped into the same category as Twilight . Such a connection is vaguely insulting since The Hunger Games is unquestionably superior. This is sophisticated entertainment with a broad-based appeal.

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‘Uglies’ Ending Explained: Will ‘Pretties’ Get the Movie Treatment Too?

September 16, 2024

For decades, the youth adventure film market has been on fire – from Harry Potter and The Hunger Games to Divergent and Percy Jackson and the Olympians , it can be hard to keep up with the action-packed franchises. In the mid-2000s, Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies book trilogy had fiction lovers talking, but it wasn’t until 2024 that a page-to-screen adaptation came to be. The movie hit Netflix on Sept. 13, bringing viewers into a dystopian future where everyone is considered unattractive until 16 when they go under the knife to become “the perfect version of themselves.”

As The Wrap notes, “enhanced looks, abilities and personalities” are just some of the shifts that occur during the transition from “ugly” to “pretty.” Leaders present the surgery as a gift that everyone can participate in to make their lives better – something to be grateful for. However, as her surgery date approaches, teenage Tally (Joey King) learns that the procedure isn’t optional, and certainly not as much of a gift as it’s made out to seem. Our Uglies ending explained analysis breaks down the final moments of the Netflix Original, so don’t read on if you don’t want spoilers!

‘Uglies’ Ending Explained

If she wants to get her surgery and finally be pretty, Dr. Cable (Laverne Cox) insists that Tally infiltrate “The Smoke” in search of her friend Shay (Brianne Tju), who’s gone missing. They’re a group of “uglies” led by David (Keith Powers), who have run away from the city to live without technology and age normally. On her journey, Tally learns from these rebels that the operation to become pretty causes lesions on the brain. “These strip everyone of their personality, making them feel happy and perfect but also keeping them fully under control of the city,” The Wrap explains.

When she learns the truth, Tally throws a tracking necklace given to her by Cable into the fire to keep her away; this has the opposite effect, instead activating the device before it’s destroyed to alert the doctor of The Smoke’s location. They act quickly to capture runaways and bring them back to the city, where Shay is forced to undergo surgery. Tally and David arrive too late to save their friend, who refuses to take the reversal treatment David’s mom has been working on.

In a moment of bravery, Tally volunteers to be the first human trial, voluntarily getting the pretty surgery and promising she’ll consent to a reversal after. David cautions his love interest to reconsider as she might not be in her right mind post-op, but she vows to leave him a sign that she’s still in her right mind. “I’m Tally Youngblood, make me pretty,” King declares on-screen, which is the last line from the first of Westerfeld’s novels. “To me, it was everything,” director McG told The Wrap of the powerful moment. “I mean that’s the line that propels you into what we’re certainly [hoping] are the second and third films.”

Will There Be a Sequel?

If you’ve tapped into the Netflix drama, you’ll know that our Uglies ending explained won’t end where the book does. Instead, we see Tally make good on her promise to David by keeping the scar she had on her hand before surgery. Earlier in the film, Peris (Chase Stokes) devastated Tally by getting rid of his matching mark after his pretty operation. We know that Tally’s mind is still somewhat intact, but her appearance has been altered to match the chiseled avatar she worked so hard to design throughout the movie.

“We really, really worked hard to get that right,” McG shared. “From a place of the hair and makeup, and the practical effects on the face, but then also the visual effects on the face to enhance it. And like I say, look at any Instagram, any Snapchat and any filter you could pick out there. That sort of face-tune is available, and people are deplying it and applying it with great regularity.”

The next books in Westerfeld’s series are Pretties and Specials , which could become films depending on how audiences react to Uglies . “We want to make sure that we do everything we can for the world to speak and make it an easy, easy decision for Bela [Bajaria, Chief content officer of Netflix], and Dan Lin [Film Chief at Netflix] and Ted Sarandos [CEO of Netflix],” McG said while expressing interest in directing. Have you seen Uglies yet? Let us know in the comments!

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‘Fairest of Them All’ – Classic Fairy Tale Princesses Fight to the Bloody Death in 2025 Movie [Poster]

The Hunger Games meets the recent public domain horror trend in the upcoming Fairest of Them All from ITN Studios, which is set to be released theatrically sometime next year.

In the film from director Kunahan Thampi …

“The Mad Hatter has hunted down princesses from the fairytale lands; Ariel, Belle, Alice, Cinderella, Snow White, Tinkerbell and Sleeping Beauty and makes them fight in a Hunger Games style death match. Who is the fairest of them all?”

Kunahan Thampi tells Bloody Disgusting this week, “This is a blood bath with epic fight sequences. Gore hounds are in for a treat when this hits theatres. It’s gnarly and fun.”

Natasha Tosini, Kelly Rian Sanson, Danielle Scott, Alina Desmond, Danielle Ronald, Lewis Santer, and Cherry Fox star in Fairest of Them All . Check out the official poster art below.

Rene August is producing the upcoming Fairest of Them All .

For the sake of clarity, this film is NOT part of the growing “ Poohniverse .”

Writer in the horror community since 2008. Editor in Chief of Bloody Disgusting. Owns Eli Roth's prop corpse from Piranha 3D. Has four awesome cats. Still plays with toys.

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‘1 Million Followers’ Explores the Dark Side of Being an Influencer This October [Trailer]

Director Harvey Lowry is hoping you’ll follow his upcoming influencer horror movie 1 Million Followers , and Vertical has provided Bloody Disgusting with the trailer this week.

Vertical will release 1 Million Followers in select theaters and on VOD October 25 .

Like. Share. Subscribe. And watch the trailer below.

In the film, “Karissa, an 18-year-old from a small farm in Idaho, gets invited to Thailand by mega influencer Jack Mayer, for a chance at a lucrative sponsorship. She quickly befriends other influencers and enters a competition to win a $500,000 sponsorship from Vrap Vodka.

“Emboldened by the chance to save her family farm, Karissa pushes herself to get more followers by posting more daring photos. But her success is threatened when she and the others are kidnapped as part of a larger conspiracy they never saw coming.”

Shelley Q, Evan Williams, Ryan Jamaal Swain, Jade Ma, Constanza Palavecino, Patrick Atchison, Skye Ladell , and Henry Ian Cusick star in 1 Million Followers .

Paul Kim wrote the screenplay.

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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1

Where to watch.

Rent The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

What to Know

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 sets up the franchise finale with a penultimate chapter loaded with solid performances and smart political subtext, though it comes up short on the action front.

Critics Reviews

Audience reviews, cast & crew.

Francis Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence

Katniss Everdeen

Josh Hutcherson

Peeta Mellark

Liam Hemsworth

Gale Hawthorne

Woody Harrelson

Haymitch Abernathy

Elizabeth Banks

Effie Trinket

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