If you want to watch the Hunger Games movies in order, there are two main ways to do it: by release order or by chronological timeline. Because the franchise now includes a prequel, some viewers prefer to begin with the earliest events in the story, while others choose to follow the original release sequence.
The Hunger Games franchise is one of the most successful dystopian film series of the 2010s. Based on the bestselling novels by Suzanne Collins, the movies take place in the nation of Panem, where the Capitol forces children from its districts to compete in a deadly televised event known as the Hunger Games.
This guide explains the complete list of Hunger Games movies in order, including both chronological order and release order, so you can follow the full story from the early days of the Games to the rebellion against the Capitol.
Hunger Games Movies in Order – Table of Contents
- Hunger Games Movies in Chronological Order
- Hunger Games Movies in Release Order
- Hunger Games Movies Checklist (Printable)
- FAQ
- Final Thoughts
Hunger Games Movies in Chronological Order
If you want to follow the events of the story from earliest to latest, this is the best chronological order for the Hunger Games franchise.
- The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
- The Hunger Games (2012)
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014)
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015)
This order begins with the prequel film, which takes place decades before Katniss Everdeen’s story and explores the early rise of Coriolanus Snow. After that, the main storyline follows Katniss as she is drawn into the Games and eventually becomes the symbol of a rebellion.
Hunger Games Movies in Release Order
For most viewers, the easiest and best way to watch the Hunger Games movies in order is by release date. This preserves the way the story was originally revealed to audiences.
- 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)
Watching the franchise in release order allows viewers to first experience Katniss Everdeen’s complete story before returning to the earlier history of Panem in the prequel film. This is usually the recommended order for first-time viewers.
The main four films focus on Katniss’s journey from District 12 tribute to reluctant revolutionary figure. The prequel then expands the universe by showing how the Hunger Games evolved in earlier years and how Snow became such an important figure in Panem’s future.
Hunger Games Movies Checklist (Printable)
This checklist helps you track every Hunger Games movie while watching the franchise.
- 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)
If you want to track your progress while watching the franchise, download the printable checklist below.
Download Hunger Games Movies Checklist (PDF)
FAQ
How many Hunger Games movies are there?
There are currently five Hunger Games movies. The main story is told across four films released between 2012 and 2015, while The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes serves as a prequel released in 2023.
What is the correct order to watch Hunger Games movies?
The Hunger Games movies in order can be watched either in release order or chronological order. Release order is usually better for first-time viewers, while chronological order is useful if you want to begin with the earliest events in Panem’s history.
Is The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes a prequel?
Yes. The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is a prequel set decades before Katniss Everdeen’s story. It explores the early life of Coriolanus Snow and the origins of the Hunger Games as a political tool of the Capitol.
Should I watch the prequel first?
You can, but most viewers still prefer release order. Starting with the original Hunger Games film introduces the world of Panem through Katniss’s perspective, which makes the later prequel more meaningful.
Are more Hunger Games movies possible?
The Hunger Games universe can continue if more books are adapted in the future. The world of Panem still has room for additional stories, especially because the prequel showed that there are many earlier eras that could be explored.
Final Thoughts
The Hunger Games movies in order tell a powerful story about survival, rebellion, propaganda, and political control. What begins as a story about one girl trying to survive in an arena gradually becomes a larger struggle against an oppressive system that controls an entire nation.
Watching the franchise in order helps viewers understand how Panem works, how the Capitol maintains its power, and how Katniss Everdeen becomes the symbol of resistance. The series blends action and emotion with larger themes about inequality, spectacle, and rebellion, which is one reason it became so successful with audiences around the world.
The prequel adds an extra layer by showing the earlier history of the Games and giving more context to the later story. Whether you begin with the original film or the prequel, following the Hunger Games movies in order makes the full arc of the franchise much easier to appreciate.
If you enjoy dystopian and action franchise guides, you may also want to explore John Wick movies in order, Mission Impossible movies in order, and Terminator movies in order.
For more information about the franchise and its history, you can also visit the Hunger Games film series overview.