The Definitive 7-Movie Guide: Watching The Hunger Games Movies In Order (Release And Chronological Timeline)

Are you ready to return to the dystopian world of Panem? As of December 2025, the cinematic saga of The Hunger Games franchise is more expansive and exciting than ever, stretching far beyond the original story of Katniss Everdeen with new prequels that redefine the entire timeline. Whether you’re a newcomer starting your journey or a veteran fan preparing for the next major installment, knowing the correct viewing order—both by release date and the story’s chronology—is essential for the ultimate experience.

This comprehensive guide provides the definitive list of all six released and officially announced films, including the highly anticipated second prequel, ensuring you can follow the dramatic rise and fall of the Capitol and its legendary tributes without missing a single, crucial detail.

The Complete Hunger Games Movie Franchise: A Biographical & Filmography List

The Hunger Games film series is based on the best-selling novels by author Suzanne Collins, a masterwork of young adult dystopian fiction. The films have been primarily directed by Francis Lawrence, who helmed four of the five released movies and is set to return for the next one. The franchise centers on the fictional nation of Panem, established after an apocalyptic event, and its brutal annual event, The Hunger Games, where children from the 12 districts are forced to fight to the death.

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The core of the original series revolves around Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence), the "Girl on Fire" from District 12, and her fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (played by Josh Hutcherson). The prequel series focuses on a young Coriolanus Snow (played by Tom Blyth), who later becomes the tyrannical President Snow (played by Donald Sutherland) of the Capitol.

• Original Novel Author: Suzanne Collins
• Primary Director: Francis Lawrence (Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1 & 2, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Sunrise on the Reaping)
• Main Protagonist (Original Trilogy): Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence)
• Main Protagonist (Prequel Series): Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth)
• Setting: The dystopian nation of Panem, consisting of the wealthy Capitol and 13 (later 12) surrounding districts.
• The Event: The annual Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death.
• Franchise Status: 5 Films Released, 1 Film Announced (Total 6 Films)

1. The Hunger Games Movies in Release Order (The Recommended Viewing Path)

For first-time viewers, watching the movies in the order they were released is generally the most satisfying experience. This sequence preserves the mystery of the world and ensures that the prequel films, particularly The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, land with the maximum impact, providing historical context to characters and events you already know.

The release order is simple: start with the 2012 original and follow the titles chronologically by their theatrical debut date. This path allows you to experience the story of the Second Rebellion through Katniss’s eyes before delving into the history of the Dark Days and the early days of the Games.

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1. The Hunger Games (2012)
   • The Core Story: The 74th Hunger Games.
   • Release Date: March 23, 2012.
   • Key Characters: Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, Gale Hawthorne, Haymitch Abernathy, Effie Trinket, President Snow.
   • Synopsis: Katniss volunteers as tribute to save her sister, Primrose Everdeen, and enters the arena with Peeta Mellark, sparking the first seeds of rebellion.
2. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
   • The Core Story: The 75th Hunger Games (The Third Quarter Quell).
   • Release Date: November 22, 2013.
   • Key Characters: Finnick Odair, Johanna Mason, Plutarch Heavensbee.
   • Synopsis: Katniss and Peeta are forced back into the arena for a special, deadly edition of the Games featuring former victors, accelerating the revolutionary fervor across the districts.
3. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014)
   • The Core Story: The Rebellion and the Mockingjay’s rise.
   • Release Date: November 21, 2014.
   • Key Characters: Alma Coin, Boggs, Cressida.
   • Synopsis: Katniss is rescued from the arena and reluctantly becomes the propaganda symbol, the "Mockingjay," for the rebellion led by District 13 against the Capitol.
4. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015)
   • The Core Story: The Final Battle and the Fall of the Capitol.
   • Release Date: November 20, 2015.
   • Key Characters: Tigris, Commander Paylor.
   • Synopsis: The final assault on the Capitol commences, culminating in a dramatic confrontation with President Snow and the establishment of a new government in Panem.
5. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
   • The Core Story: The 10th Hunger Games.
   • Release Date: November 17, 2023.
   • Key Characters: Young Coriolanus Snow, Lucy Gray Baird, Sejanus Plinth, Dr. Volumnia Gaul.
   • Synopsis: Set 64 years before Katniss’s story, this prequel explores the origins of the Games and the transformation of the 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow as he mentors District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird.
6. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (Upcoming)
   • The Core Story: The 50th Hunger Games (The Second Quarter Quell).
   • Release Date: November 20, 2026.
   • Key Characters: Young Haymitch Abernathy, Effie Trinket (potentially).
   • Synopsis: This film will be set 40 years after Songbirds & Snakes and 24 years before The Hunger Games, detailing the violent victory of a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, the future mentor to Katniss and Peeta, during the brutal Second Quarter Quell.

2. The Hunger Games Movies in Chronological Order (The Story Timeline)

For viewers who prefer to follow the narrative from the very beginning of the Panem timeline, the chronological order is the way to go. This sequence starts with the earliest events, focusing on the history of the Capitol and the evolution of the Games, providing a deeper understanding of the political and social structures that lead to the eventual rebellion.

This path is perfect for those interested in the lore and the development of President Snow’s character arc, starting from his impoverished youth to his rise as a dictator, before jumping forward to the story of the revolutionary Mockingjay.

1. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (The 10th Hunger Games)
   • Time Period: 64 years before Katniss’s story.
   • Focus: The post-war rebuilding of the Capitol and the primitive, early stages of the Games.
2. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (The 50th Hunger Games)
   • Time Period: 40 years after Songbirds & Snakes; 24 years before The Hunger Games.
   • Focus: The Second Quarter Quell, where Haymitch Abernathy won his victory. This Quell required twice the number of tributes, making it exceptionally brutal.
3. The Hunger Games (The 74th Hunger Games)
   • Time Period: The beginning of the original trilogy.
   • Focus: The introduction of Katniss Everdeen, the first sign of defiance, and the start of the "star-crossed lovers" narrative.
4. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (The 75th Hunger Games)
   • Time Period: One year after the first film.
   • Focus: The Capitol’s attempt to crush hope by forcing former victors back into the arena.
5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
   • Time Period: Immediately following the escape from the arena.
   • Focus: The full-scale mobilization of the rebellion and the political maneuvering of Alma Coin and Plutarch Heavensbee.
6. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2
   • Time Period: The conclusion of the rebellion.
   • Focus: The final military campaign, the siege of the Capitol, and the ultimate fate of President Snow and the Games themselves.

3. What The New Prequel ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Means for the Franchise

The announcement of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, set for release on November 20, 2026, has injected significant new life into the franchise. This film is an adaptation of Suzanne Collins's upcoming novel, which is set to be released in 2025.

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The most compelling aspect of this new installment is its focus on the story of Haymitch Abernathy, the cynical but brilliant mentor to Katniss and Peeta in the original films. His victory in the Second Quarter Quell—the 50th Hunger Games—is one of the most legendary and tragic events in Panem’s history, known for its sheer brutality where the Capitol doubled the number of tributes. This prequel will provide critical context for Haymitch's lifelong trauma, his relationship with alcohol, and his deep-seated resentment toward the Capitol, all of which shape his mentorship of Katniss and Peeta.

Director Francis Lawrence is confirmed to return, ensuring continuity in the visual style and tone that has defined the series. Furthermore, there are strong rumors and reports that original stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson may be returning to the franchise in some capacity, potentially as bookends or narrators, though this remains to be officially confirmed for the main plot of Sunrise on the Reaping, which focuses on a younger cast playing the 16-year-old Haymitch.

The success of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, which grossed over $337 million worldwide, proved the enduring global appeal of the Hunger Games universe, paving the way for more exploration of Panem’s dark history. The new film will bridge the gap between the nascent Games seen in Songbirds & Snakes and the fully established, technologically advanced spectacle of Katniss’s era, detailing the oppressive reign of Commander Paylor and the political climate in the districts leading up to the 74th Hunger Games.

Whether you choose the release order to preserve the original emotional impact or the chronological order to appreciate the full historical sweep of Panem, the Hunger Games franchise offers a compelling, layered narrative that continues to expand and captivate audiences globally. Enjoy your journey through the districts and may the odds be ever in your favor!