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The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

The world will be watching.

2012142 minPG-13Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films
Director
Gary Ross
Starring
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson

In a dystopian society where the Capitol forces each district to send two young tributes to fight to the death in a televised spectacle, a girl volunteers to take her sister’s place, setting the stage for a struggle of survival and defiance.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Hunger Games?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Hunger Games streaming on Hulu, Lionsgate+ via Prime Video and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about The Hunger Games?

The Hunger Games earns 12 badges, led by Top 5% in Action and Cultural touchstone.

Show 4 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is The Hunger Games worth watching?

The Hunger Games' Midcredits score is the 90th percentile of all films, from 4.7M ratings across 6 sources. 78% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

90th percentile

Better received than 90% of films

95th percentile among Action91st percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)89th
Approval (how many liked it)88th

74 /100

89th percentile of all films

95th percentile among Action88th percentile among 2010s

Critics 68 · Audience 74

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.4 — solid but not unanimous.

78% liked it

88th percentile of all films

92nd percentile among Action89th percentile among 2010s
78% rated it 7–1022% rated it 1–6

Critics 84% · Audience 81%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 33 wins / 50 noms overall

  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Original Song - Motion Picture
  • WonBAFTA Awards· Best Feature Film

99th percentile

4.7M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Action99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 19% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$78M
Opening weekend$153M
Domestic gross$408M
Worldwide gross$695M

Returned 8.9× its budget — 98th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a visually faithful and well-cast adaptation of the source novel, but its execution in action and emotional resonance divides opinions.

Fans praised

  • Jennifer Lawrence's star-making performance as Katniss
  • Faithful, gritty adaptation of the book's world and tone
  • Strong supporting cast in vivid, memorable roles

Detractors panned

  • Underwhelming action and shaky, chaotic camerawork in set pieces
  • Lack of tension and emotional depth, especially in the games
  • Overstuffed, uneven pacing and thin character development

What stands out

Acting82

Lawrence universally praised, supporting cast generally solid

Atmosphere70

Great dystopian world-building and production design

Plot and story60

Interesting but lacking logic and depth for some

Effects and spectacle60

Good but not enough action for a spectacle

Tension55

Games lack sustained suspense for many

Characters55

Some non-book readers find emotions unmotivated

Cinematography55

Shaky cam in action scenes criticized for disorientation

Pacing45

Uneven, rushed in places, slow middle

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 17 points higher than men.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Under-30s

Under-30s scored it 11 points higher than over-30s.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 3 points apart
  • US vs non-US 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is The Hunger Games like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Dark and unsettling: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready to pay close attention and feel heavy feelings, and you want something dark that stays with you.

It is intense, never lets up and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want an easy night or you can only half-watch.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Your full attention and room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Dark and unsettling.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseDreadBittersweet
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Brutal · 7% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its dystopian premise with earnest gravity, never undercutting the horror of the Games.
The rideThe film maintains a near-constant tension and sense of dread from the Reaping through the arena battles, with moments of brief relief that are quickly undercut.
StructureThe story follows a standard three-act structure: setup in District 12, preparation in the Capitol, and the Games in the arena.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

The answer rests on this: BittersweetHaunting · 14% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe ending leaves a mix of relief and unease, with Rue's death and the open defiance against the Capitol lingering.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% (this title) · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Oppressive state: A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe entire narrative is driven by the ritualistic death match of the Hunger Games, where tributes must kill or be killed, making the oppressive state the monster.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% (this title) · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% (this title) · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Survival

SurvivalOppression · 4% of filmsSacrifice · 4% of films
Warns its theme: Presents its theme as a danger or a coming cost.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeAt its core, the film is about the brutal necessity of staying alive in a rigged, murderous arena controlled by an authoritarian regime, forcing constant sacrifice.
StanceThe film warns about the dangers of totalitarian control, spectacle as oppression, and the dehumanizing cost of survival under such a regime.

The world

Near futureWildernessInstitutionalRuralScience fiction
Orchestral modernFolkForeground music · original score · James Newton Howard
SettingThe dystopian nation of Panem, featuring the opulent Capitol and the impoverished District 12, plus the fabricated wilderness of the arena.
MusicThe score features the haunting folk song 'The Hanging Tree' and a percussive, driving orchestral suite for the arena action.

Content guide

Is The Hunger Games okay for kids?

PG-13

The Hunger Games is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images - all involving teens” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (74/100), sexual content at minimal (11/100), language at mild (26/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at intense (71/100). Overall it is heavier than 88% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 33 other countries
  • UK12A
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland12A
  • New ZealandM
  • JapanPG12
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Argentina+13
  • Austria14
  • BGC
  • Czechia12
  • Denmark15
  • GreeceΚ-15
  • Hong KongIIB
  • Hungary16
  • IS12
  • ItalyT
  • MexicoB
  • Netherlands12
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • RO15
  • Russia16+
  • SK12
  • Spain12
  • Sweden11
  • Switzerland14
  • THน 13+
  • Türkiye13+
  • UA12+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 56% of all filmsHeavier than 88% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 95%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 12%
Profanity
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 13%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 61%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 91%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what PG-13-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does The Hunger Games have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Hunger Games?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor; Jennifer Lawrence won the CCA for this film.

Jennifer Lawrence
as Katniss Everdeen
CCA win: Critics Choice Award — Best Actress in an Action MovieTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Josh Hutcherson
as Peeta Mellark
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Liam Hemsworth
as Gale Hawthorne
newcomer then · star now
Woody Harrelson
as Haymitch Abernathy
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Elizabeth Banks
as Effie Trinket
Lenny Kravitz
as Cinna
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Stanley Tucci
as Caesar Flickerman
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Donald Sutherland
as President Snow
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Wes Bentley
as Seneca Crane
Toby Jones
as Claudius Templesmith
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like The Hunger Games?

Movies like The Hunger Games include The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014) and Corrective Measures (2022). Of the 12 closest matches, most are films set in the near future, and half are survival thrillers.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its world: dystopian. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with The Hunger Games?

335 other films share the rarest tag below, premise: death game. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.