The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a very popular young adult dystopian series that has very successful movie adaptations. Now, there’s a new addition to the franchise, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which is based on the book of the same name.
Because of this new film, which is a prequel, there are now two ways to watch all The Hunger Games movies: in release order or chronological order. Here’s an explanation of each, as well as a discussion as to which one is the best The Hunger Games watch order:
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The Hunger Games Movies in Release Order
The Hunger Games movies have the same release pattern as the books. There are four Hunger Games films based on the trilogy, with Mockingjay, the third and final book in the trilogy, being divided into two films.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes book was published in 2020, after The Hunger Games trilogy, and similarly, the film adaptation of the prequel comes after the four original films.
Here are all The Hunger Games movies in order of release:
- The Hunger Games - March 23, 2012
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - November 20, 2013
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 1- November 21, 2014
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 2 - November 20, 2015
- The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes - November 17, 2023
The Hunger Games Movies in Chronological Order
While The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was released after the original films, in the timeline, it takes place before The Hunger Games.
Here are all The Hunger Games movies in chronological order, with some details about the events that take place in each of the films:
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel that takes place 64 years before the events of The Hunger Games.
It follows a young Coriolanus “Coryo” Snow and his life before he became the tyrannical president of Panem. In the prequel, Snow is a mentor for the 10th Hunger Games who gets assigned to District 12’s tribute, Lucy Gray Baird.
Snow is the villain in the original film series, and the prequel gives a background of him. The prequel also sheds light on the history of the Games.
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The Hunger Games (2012)
In The Hunger Games, viewers are introduced to Katniss Everdeen, a District 12 tribute who volunteers to take her sister’s place in the 74th Hunger Games.
Katniss, along with her fellow tribute, Peete Mellark, is sent to the Capitol to compete. They are guided by their alcoholic mentor, Haymitch Abernathy, the victor of the 50th Hunger Games.
The film ends with Katniss and Peeta winning the 74th Hunger Games, which wasn’t supposed to be because there should only be one victor.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
After Katniss and Peeta’s victory in the 74th Hunger Games, they are called back to compete in the 65th Hunger Games.
President Snow (yes, the Snow in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) decides that the next Games would be a “Quarter Quell”, where the tributes would be past victors from previous Hunger Games.
Katniss and Peeta are forced to compete in the Hunger Games once again, and unbeknownst to them, a rebel plan has been set in place by other victors with the help of District 13.
At the end of the film, Katniss is transported to District 13, but unfortunately, Peeta has been captured by the Capitol.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1 (2014)
In Mockingjay – Part 1, we see the underground world of District 13, an area isolated from Panem, filled with rebels hoping to take down the Capitol.
Peeta is being tortured in the Capitol and held captive by the evil President Snow. Katniss agrees to be the Mockingjay, the symbol of the rebellion and also fights to rescue Peeta.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2 (2015)
Mockingjay – Part 2 is the final film based on the original trilogy of books and the last one in chronological viewing order. The film features the final showdown between Katniss Everdeen and President Snow and wraps up Katniss’ story.
The Best The Hunger Games Watch Order
The Hunger Games timeline is not very complicated. It’s really just a matter of choosing whether to watch The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes first or last.
In case you haven’t seen any of The Hunger Games films yet and want to gain the experience fans from 2012 did, then it is best to watch all four Hunger Games films starring Jennifer Lawrence first before the prequel.
Many fans (myself included) think that the best The Hunger Games watch order is the order of release, not the chronological watch order.
If you have already seen the first four movies, then it will help you understand the prequel film, as you already have a background about the Games and other important stuff in The Hunger Games universe.
There are also some The Hunger Games easter eggs in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which you would spot if you have already seen the first four films.
Since The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel, you can watch it first before The Hunger Games, although it is really best to watch the original films first.
But whatever way you choose, I hope you enjoy your Hunger Games movie marathon, and may the odds be ever in your favor!
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