The Definitive 6-Movie Guide: Watching The Hunger Games Movies In Order (Release & Chronological)

The Hunger Games franchise has captivated millions with its dystopian world of Panem, political rebellion, and the harrowing annual spectacle of the Games. As of December 2025, the cinematic universe comprises five released films, with a sixth highly-anticipated installment officially on the way. Understanding the correct viewing order—whether you prefer the original release experience or a deep dive into the chronological timeline—is essential for any fan, old or new, looking to follow the journey of Katniss Everdeen and the rise of President Snow.

The recent success of the prequel, *The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes*, and the announcement of the 2026 film, *Sunrise on the Reaping*, has refreshed the entire series. This guide breaks down the complete six-film saga, providing the definitive list for both viewing preferences, ensuring you catch every detail of the Tributes, the Capitol's tyranny, and the eventual Second Rebellion.

The Hunger Games Movies in Release Date Order (The Original Experience)

For the most authentic viewing experience, it is highly recommended to follow the order in which the films were released. This preserves the narrative flow and the intended reveal of the world's history, as the prequels were written and produced after the main Katniss Everdeen trilogy. This order is perfect for first-time viewers.

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• 1. The Hunger Games (2012)
  The film that started it all, introducing us to the world of Panem, the 12 Districts, and the 74th Hunger Games. It follows Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark as the Tributes from the impoverished District 12. Directed by Gary Ross, this movie sets the stage for the entire rebellion.
• 2. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
  The stakes are raised as Katniss and Peeta are forced back into the arena for the brutal 75th Hunger Games, known as the Quarter Quell. Directed by Francis Lawrence, this installment is widely considered one of the strongest in the series, deepening the political conflict with the Capitol and President Snow.
• 3. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014)
  The arena is left behind as the story shifts entirely to the political unrest and the Second Rebellion. Katniss becomes the symbol of hope—the "Mockingjay"—leading the charge from the hidden District 13 against the Capitol's oppressive regime.
• 4. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015)
  The epic conclusion to the original saga. Katniss, Gale Hawthorne, and the rebel forces launch their final assault on the Capitol, culminating in the downfall of President Snow and the end of the Games.
• 5. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
  A massive prequel that jumps back 64 years before Katniss Everdeen's story. It focuses on a young Coriolanus Snow as a mentor in the 10th Hunger Games, chronicling his rise to power and his relationship with District 12's tribute, Lucy Gray Baird. This film provides crucial context to the political machinations of the Capitol.
• 6. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (Upcoming: November 20, 2026)
  The newest announced film, based on Suzanne Collins' upcoming 2025 novel. This prequel will focus on the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, which was won by the eventual mentor of Katniss and Peeta, Haymitch Abernathy. The story takes place 40 years after *Songbirds & Snakes* and 24 years before *The Hunger Games*.

The Hunger Games Movies in Chronological Timeline Order

For viewers who want to experience the story of Panem from its earliest known point to its ultimate resolution, the chronological order is the way to go. This sequence provides a deep, uninterrupted dive into the franchise's lore, starting with the origins of the Games and ending with the rebellion's success. This is the ideal order for a comprehensive marathon.

The entire timeline spans from the early days following The Dark Days, which led to the creation of the Games, all the way through to the final battle for freedom. The key to this order is starting with the prequels to fully understand the foundation of the Capitol’s power structure and the early life of a young Coriolanus Snow.

1. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
   (Set during the 10th Hunger Games)
2. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026)
   (Set during the 50th Hunger Games, starring Haymitch Abernathy)
3. The Hunger Games (2012)
   (Set during the 74th Hunger Games, starring Katniss Everdeen)
4. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
   (Set during the 75th Hunger Games / Third Quarter Quell)
5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014)
   (Set during the Second Rebellion)
6. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015)
   (Set during the final assault on the Capitol)

Watching in this order allows you to see the direct evolution of the Games and the underlying tension between the Districts and the Capitol, providing a richer context for Katniss's eventual role as the Mockingjay.

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Key Entities and Topical Authority in the Hunger Games Universe

To truly master the world created by author Suzanne Collins and brought to life by director Francis Lawrence, it helps to be familiar with the core characters, locations, and concepts that form the topical authority of the franchise. These elements are the threads that connect the original trilogy to the prequel films, making the chronological viewing order especially rewarding.

The Core Characters and Their Significance

The franchise is built on a strong foundation of complex characters who drive the narrative of war, survival, and moral ambiguity. The most prominent figures are:

• Katniss Everdeen: The protagonist of the original four films, the "Girl on Fire" from District 12 who becomes the accidental face of the rebellion.
• Coriolanus Snow: The primary antagonist of the original trilogy, whose dark origins are explored in *The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes*.
• Peeta Mellark: Katniss’s co-tribute and romantic interest, known for his ability to manipulate public perception and his artistic talents.
• Haymitch Abernathy: The cynical but strategic mentor to Katniss and Peeta, whose own traumatic victory in the 50th Hunger Games will be the focus of the 2026 film, *Sunrise on the Reaping*.
• Lucy Gray Baird: The enigmatic District 12 tribute from the 10th Games who profoundly influences young Coriolanus Snow.
• Gale Hawthorne: Katniss’s best friend and fellow hunter, whose radical views on rebellion often contrast with Peeta's gentler approach.

Panem and the Districts

The fictional nation of Panem is divided into a tyrannical central government, the Capitol, and 13 outlying Districts (with District 13 initially thought destroyed). The vast disparity between the opulent Capitol and the impoverished, specialized Districts is the core theme of the entire series. District 12, the home of Katniss and Peeta, is the poorest, focused on coal mining, while wealthier areas like District 1 and District 2 often produce "Career Tributes," who train for the Games their whole lives.

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The annual Reaping ceremony, where Tributes are selected, is a mandatory spectacle of the Capitol's control. The entire structure is a constant reminder of The Dark Days and the First Rebellion, which the Capitol brutally suppressed, leading to the creation of the Games as punishment.

The Quarter Quell and Future Lore

A "Quarter Quell" is a special, more brutal edition of the Hunger Games that occurs every 25 years. The 75th Games (Catching Fire) was a Quarter Quell, forcing former victors back into the arena. The upcoming *Sunrise on the Reaping* focuses on the 50th Games, the Second Quarter Quell, which will explore the depth of Haymitch’s trauma and the extreme cruelty of the Games decades before Katniss’s time. This continuous expansion of the lore by Suzanne Collins and Lionsgate ensures the franchise remains a fresh and relevant commentary on power and resistance.