The Definitive List: How Many Hunger Games Movies Are There, And What Is The Shocking Sixth Film?

As of December 10, 2025, the complete cinematic saga of Panem encompasses an impressive total of six films, with five already released to global acclaim and a highly anticipated sixth installment officially announced for 2026. The franchise, which exploded onto the scene with its dystopian themes and compelling characters like Katniss Everdeen, has seen a recent resurgence thanks to successful prequels that delve deep into the dark history of the Capitol and its most legendary figures. This comprehensive guide breaks down every film in the series, from the original trilogy to the latest prequels, ensuring you are fully prepared for the next chapter.

The "Hunger Games" universe, created by author Suzanne Collins, continues to expand its narrative scope, moving beyond the story of the Mockingjay to explore the origins of the deadly competition. Fans must now track not just the core four films, but also the crucial prequel stories that redefine characters like President Snow and Haymitch Abernathy. The total count now includes the four films of the Katniss saga, one released prequel, and one major upcoming prequel.

The Complete Hunger Games Cinematic Universe: 6 Films Total

The total number of The Hunger Games films is a dynamic figure, currently standing at six. This count includes the four original films that adapted Suzanne Collins' initial trilogy, the first prequel, and the recently announced second prequel, ensuring the franchise's story continues to evolve well into the future. Each film is a direct adaptation of a novel by Suzanne Collins, maintaining a consistent narrative thread throughout the dystopian world of Panem.

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Here is the full list of all six films, presented in their theatrical release order:

• The Hunger Games (2012)
• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
• The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014)
• The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015)
• The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
• The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (Scheduled for 2026)

1. The Hunger Games (2012)

This is where the phenomenon began. The first film introduces the totalitarian state of Panem, where two teenagers from each of the twelve districts are selected annually to fight to the death in the televised spectacle known as the Hunger Games. The story focuses on Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old from the impoverished District 12, who volunteers as tribute to save her younger sister, Primrose. The film established the core themes of class warfare, media manipulation, and survival.

• Core Cast: Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen), Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark), Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthorne), Woody Harrelson (Haymitch Abernathy), Elizabeth Banks (Effie Trinket), Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman), Donald Sutherland (President Snow).
• Plot Summary: Katniss and Peeta are forced to compete in the 74th Hunger Games, where their unlikely alliance and defiance against the Capitol's rules spark the first embers of rebellion.

2. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

The second installment raises the stakes significantly. After their victory in the 74th Games, Katniss and Peeta are forced to go on a "Victory Tour," where they witness the growing unrest in the Districts. The Capitol, led by President Snow, sees Katniss as a symbol of hope and rebellion, and devises a plan to eliminate her by forcing her back into the arena for the 75th Hunger Games—the Third Quarter Quell.

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• Core Cast: The original ensemble cast returns, with new additions like Sam Claflin (Finnick Odair) and Jena Malone (Johanna Mason).
• Plot Summary: The Quarter Quell forces past victors to fight, turning the Games into a desperate fight for survival and a covert operation to extract Katniss and ignite a full-scale revolution.

3. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014)

This film marks a definitive shift from the arena's survival games to the front lines of a political war. The story moves almost entirely away from the Games themselves, focusing on Katniss's role as the symbolic leader of the rebellion, the "Mockingjay." She is relocated to the underground District 13, which was believed to have been destroyed, and begins filming propaganda "propos" to unite the Districts against the Capitol.

• Core Cast: The main cast is joined by Julianne Moore (President Alma Coin) and Philip Seymour Hoffman (Plutarch Heavensbee).
• Plot Summary: Katniss grapples with the psychological toll of war while becoming the face of the revolution, all while attempting to rescue Peeta, who has been captured and brainwashed by the Capitol.

4. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015)

The final chapter of the original saga brings the rebellion to its violent and emotional conclusion. The Districts launch a full-scale assault on the Capitol, and Katniss leads a squad of rebels on a mission to assassinate President Snow. The film explores the moral complexities of war, the blurred lines between good and evil, and the ultimate cost of freedom.

• Core Cast: The entire ensemble cast returns for the final battle.
• Plot Summary: The rebels navigate a booby-trapped Capitol to reach Snow's mansion, culminating in a dramatic and ambiguous end to the war and Katniss's personal journey.

The Prequel Era: Expanding the World of Panem

The success of the original films led author Suzanne Collins to explore the deep history of Panem, resulting in two prequel novels that are now the basis for the next phase of the film franchise. These prequels are critical for understanding the rise of the Capitol's tyranny and the origins of key characters.

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5. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

Released in late 2023, this film takes place 64 years before Katniss Everdeen's story, during the 10th annual Hunger Games. It is a crucial piece of world-building, chronicling the rise of the ruthless dictator, Coriolanus Snow, from an ambitious, impoverished mentor to the tyrannical President of Panem. The film follows Snow as he mentors Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12, and explores the early, unrefined days of the Games.

• Core Cast: Tom Blyth (Coriolanus "Coryo" Snow), Rachel Zegler (Lucy Gray Baird), Viola Davis (Dr. Volumnia Gaul), Peter Dinklage (Casca Highbottom), Hunter Schafer (Tigris).
• Plot Summary: A young Coriolanus Snow attempts to restore his family's legacy by mentoring the rebellious and musically talented Lucy Gray Baird, an experience that shapes his future cruelty and control.

6. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (Scheduled for November 20, 2026)

The sixth and most recent addition to the official count is the upcoming adaptation of Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel, Sunrise on the Reaping. This film is set to be the next major cinematic event in the franchise, filling a significant gap in the timeline. The movie will be a prequel to the original trilogy and a sequel to Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, focusing on one of the most brutal and legendary events in Panem's history.

• Release Date: November 20, 2026.
• Plot Summary: The story centers on a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, the future mentor of Katniss and Peeta, as he is forced to compete in the 50th Hunger Games, famously known as the Second Quarter Quell.
• Anticipated Cast: The film will require a new, younger actor to portray Haymitch Abernathy, originally played by Woody Harrelson. Casting news was released in April 2025, sparking massive fan speculation.

The Hunger Games Chronological Viewing Order

For fans who want to watch the story unfold in the order of events within the world of Panem, rather than by release date, the chronological viewing order is now essential. This viewing path provides a deeper understanding of the Capitol's evolution and the motivations of its most powerful figures.

The chronological order of the six Hunger Games films is:

1. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (10th Hunger Games)
2. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (50th Hunger Games/Second Quarter Quell)
3. The Hunger Games (74th Hunger Games)
4. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (75th Hunger Games/Third Quarter Quell)
5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (The Rebellion begins)
6. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (The War concludes)

This sequence allows viewers to trace the terrifying trajectory of Coriolanus Snow from a young man capable of love to the cold, calculating tyrant he becomes, and to better appreciate the trauma that shaped Haymitch Abernathy into the cynical mentor seen in the original trilogy.

The Legacy and Topical Authority of the Franchise

The Hunger Games franchise is more than just a series of successful films; it is a cultural touchstone in the Young Adult (YA) dystopian genre. The topical authority of the series is built on its sharp commentary on political power, media spectacle, and wealth disparity. The original trilogy alone, which adapted the novels The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay, grossed billions at the global box office and cemented Jennifer Lawrence's status as a global superstar.

The addition of the prequels, particularly Sunrise on the Reaping, demonstrates the franchise's commitment to exploring the deeper lore of Panem. By focusing on the 50th Games, the films continue to explore the concept of the Quarter Quell, a special edition of the Games that occurs every 25 years with harsher rules designed to remind the Districts of the Capitol's absolute power. The Quarter Quell events, which include the 50th and 75th Games, are pivotal moments that drive the entire narrative forward and are a key element for any true fan of the lore.

With a total of six films now established—a complete saga of four main films and two crucial prequels—the Hunger Games universe offers a rich, detailed, and increasingly complex look at a world ravaged by conflict. The anticipation for Sunrise on the Reaping proves that the story of Panem and its fight for freedom is far from over.