The Hunger Games

PG-13

Now Playing

2 hr. 22 min.

Sci-Fi

Action

Adventure

List

84%

318 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In what was once North America, the Capitol of Panem maintains its hold on its 12 districts by forcing them each to select a boy and a girl, called Tributes, to compete in a nationally televised event called the Hunger Games. Every citizen must watch as the youths fight to the death until only one remains. District 12 Tribute Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has little to rely on, other than her hunting skills and sharp instincts, in an arena where she must weigh survival against love.

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Critics Consensus

Thrilling and superbly acted, The Hunger Games captures the dramatic violence, raw emotion, and ambitious scope of its source novel.

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Ava S

I mean it was GOOD it just wasn't my favorite movie EVER

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/16/24

Full Review

Benjamin H

Hunger isn't a game. It's a lifestyle #Africa

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/03/24

Full Review

Maddy R

Awesome first movie to the series.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/09/24

Full Review

Kate P

If you're only discussing the movie, I thought it was an overall solid effort to portray Suzanne Collins's masterpiece. The scenes, cinematography, and acting pulled through when it mattered, and the plot was good and engaging. I loved the books and the overall storyline and social commentaries it offered, and in my honest opinion the movies portrayed these things well. The costumes, solid. Acting, decent. Screenplay, good. I know a lot of people complained about varieties of choices the movie took when it first came out, but honestly, its hard to make a movie better than the books, and I don't think the movie's goal is to do that, only to portray the books visually and thematically, which they did well. Overall, I thought this movie and the overall saga was enjoyable with minimal mistakes and overall an engaging movie set that will outlast its criticism.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/24

Full Review

Camille E

This movie was horrible in so many ways. There was so much over acting and terrible character development. It's more like a play than a movie. The originals were done much better.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/20/24

Full Review

GuestLord D

I watched the movie after finishing the first book. I can't be too hard on a movie over a decade ago. The suspense and story is just right, though there are some rushed moments and vital moments left out.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/24

Full Review

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Gary Ross

Director

Jennifer Lawrence

Katniss Everdeen

Josh Hutcherson

Peeta Mellark

Liam Hemsworth

Gale Hawthorne

Woody Harrelson

Haymitch Abernathy

Elizabeth Banks

Effie Trinket

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The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1

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Julie and Brandy

Autostraddle

[Rue's] presence gave the heart to the whole movie.

Aug 31, 2021

Full Review

J. Hoberman

ARTINFO.com

The Hunger Games is undeniably progressive in making its protagonist so plucky, independent, and self-actualizing a young woman.

Feb 25, 2019

Full Review

David Thomson

The New Republic

The film shows precious little hunger and no sense of game.

Jun 17, 2013

Full Review

Elisa Guimarães

Collider

What sets The Hunger Games apart is its bleak world-building and materialist system of oppression, which adds depth and realism to the story.

Jan 29, 2024

Full Review

Iván Kazi

EscribiendoCine

The Hunger Games is insipid. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/10

Jun 14, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

I confess that for all my issues with the film (and there are many), I more impressed at how much it got right.

Mar 4, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

In what was once North America, the Capitol of Panem maintains its hold on its 12 districts by forcing them each to select a boy and a girl, called Tributes, to compete in a nationally televised event called the Hunger Games. Every citizen must watch as the youths fight to the death until only one remains. District 12 Tribute Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has little to rely on, other than her hunting skills and sharp instincts, in an arena where she must weigh survival against love.

Director: Gary Ross
Executive Producer: Robin Bissell, Suzanne Collins, Louise Rosner
Screenwriter: Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, Billy Ray
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Color Force
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Images|All Involving Teens|Intense Violent Thematic Mat.)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 23, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $408.0M

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