It has been just about ten years since the first The Hunger Games film hit theaters. The popular series is based on the novels by Suzanne Collins and were adapted into four feature-length films. The first film, The Hunger Games introduces our characters and sets the stage for the rest of the series. The sequel Catching Fire was more successful than the first and introduces new characters while diving deeper into the relationship between Katniss and Peeta, and Katniss and the Capitol. The third book was split into two films: Mockingjay Part 1 and Mockingjay Part 2, which wrap up the series.
The Hunger Games cast have all gone on to have successful careers in some way. Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss), Woody Harrelson (Haymitch), Elizabeth Banks (Effie), and Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman) are arguably the most successful of the bunch, with Josh Hutcherson (Peeta) and Liam Hemsworth (Gale) closely following.
In 2020, Collins released the prequel novel to the series that focuses on President Snow’s character. The storyline for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes takes place more than 60 years before Katniss and Peeta’s Hunger Games and tells the story of when Coriolanus Snow was forced to mentor a young girl from District 12. According to Bustle, a film adaptation is set to hit theaters in November 2023. While fans eagerly await the film, you can rewatch the original series or read the books to refamiliarize yourself with the dystopian world. While all movies were successful, here’s how we would rank every movie in The Hunger Games franchise.
Related: The Hunger Games: An Overview of the Movies in Order

4 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

The third film of the franchise, Mockingjay Part 1 picks up moments after Catching Fire ends. Katniss learns that District 12 has been destroyed by the Capitol and that District 13 has been operational despite being blown up years ago. Katniss, Gale, her family, and a few others from District 12 were able to escape before the bombs were dropped and evacuated to District 13. President Coin (Julianne Moore), the leader of 13, uses Katniss as her “Mockingjay”, which is the symbol of the rebellion. Katniss agrees, but her main focus is to rescue Peeta and the other victors that were kidnapped by the Capitol after she blew up the forcefield surrounding the area in the previous film.
Mockingjay Part 1 was a good film in itself, but it was almost boring compared to the other three films in the franchise. This film is necessary, though, as it helps set up the required background to allow the final film to not be rushed. Katniss is essentially moody throughout the entirety of the film and there are very few action sequences compared to the rest of the franchise.

3 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

In the final film of the franchise, Katniss and the rebels from District 13 reach the Capitol and prepare for the last fight against President Snow. Peeta has been rescued, but the Capitol has brainwashed him to kill Katniss. When President Coin forces Peeta to join the elite group sent to disarm some of the traps set in the Capitol so that the rebel army can advance, Katniss begins to question Coin’s ability to lead. Determined to seek President Snow and kill him, Katniss continues to battle through the death traps to get to him.
Understandably, Mocking Jay Part 2 received mixed reviews. As a film, it seemed to lack a storyline amidst the action. Where Mockingjay Part 1 needed some action scenes, Part 2 needed some of the story of the first. The majority of the film is spent showing the characters out-running CGI monsters. The ending was almost abrupt and anti-climatic. However, the film was a successful end to the beloved franchise with a good character arc for our star-crossed lovers.

2 The Hunger Games

Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister’s place after her name is drawn for the annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games pits one male and one female from each of the 12 districts together in a fight to the death. The games symbolize the Capitol’s control over the districts in a form of revenge for the rebellion years ago. The male tribute from Katniss’ District, Peeta Mellark, is someone she has some history with. The pair is taken to fight against the other districts in the 74 Annual Hunger Games.
As it goes for most films, the original movie in the franchise is highly regarded even though we feel it ranks slightly lower than the sequel. Fans were happy to see The Hunger Games‘ efforts to stay close to the novel. While most felt the history behind the Hunger Games themselves lacked a good explanation in the film, the movie was overall well received.
Related: The Hunger Games: The Movies’ Symbolism and How It Stands Apart

1 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Catching Fire picks up 12 months after the ending of the first film. In the sequel, Katniss and Peeta have been declared dual winners of the Hunger Games and are sent back to live in District 12 as “victors”. They are now considered wealthy and under the care of the Capitol thanks to their victory. However, Katniss and Peeta are forced back into the limelight to attend the Victor Tour where they have to visit all the districts. President Snow warns Katniss that she has to control her actions as her defiance in the Hunger Games has caused some rioting in the lower districts. Her efforts fail, and she and Peeta find themselves back in the Hunger Games for the Quarter Quell, where past victors will be fighting each other.
This film helped to show a more personal side of Katniss. She showed compassion for her sister and Rue in the first film, but it’s in this one that we see just how far Katniss’ heart extends. We see a closer look into her true feelings for both Gale and Peeta — the love triangle that lasts throughout the entire film despite Peeta’s declaration of love for Katniss in the first film.

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