The Hunger Games

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The Hunger Games

PG-13

Released Mar 23, 2012

2h 22m

Sci-Fi

Action

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

314 Reviews

81%

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250,000+ Ratings

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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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

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David Thomson

The New Republic

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

Jun 17, 2013

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Collins' involvement enables the movie to retain the themes and tone of the novel while still delivering an exciting and interesting drama/thriller that works on the big screen. For those who don't know the

Rated: 3/5

Oct 18, 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

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Jadan S

While it does leave out some key details from the original novel that I would have loved to have seen on the big screen, the movie adaptation of The Hunger Games is absolutely a solid film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

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.

It was amazing! The theater was great, the screen quality and audio was great. I loved seeing this in a theater!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/25

Full Review

Coc A

6/10 Mixed bag. It's decent, but it's nowhere near the top. I think Rue was the film's biggest wasted potential. We finally get introduced to her after getting a teaser twice, but we don't really know her story or her background as they never told it to us, and then she gets killed 11 minutes after her introduction. I certainly would've cared for her more if she gets more screentime or if her character's fleshed out with some good dialogue. In the end, her death was a bit sad, but the way they handled her left a lot to be desired. I can say the same thing about Cinna and Haymitch: they're not deep enough as side characters. I know what they're like, but I don't know why they're like that. They're motivations for helping Katniss and Peeta aren't as clear as I would've liked. Haymitch is charming, but I don't know why he changes from a very reluctant mentor to a caring one. Peeta and Katniss' romance felt a bit too forced. Seeing their chemistry more would've helped a lot. The movie's plot has its tense moments, but it also suffers from a lack of escalation. Cato just appears out of nowhere during the final battle which says a lot about his performance as a villain. The situation for the main character doesn't really get more dire as the movie goes on, which reduces the story's stakes. In conclusion, while I think this movie is pretty good, I think it's also underwhelming.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/26/25

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Patrick G.

8.4/10 Classic one fs not sure why catching fire is rated higher tho..

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

Full Review

André C

A great start for this franchise. But it's noticeable a new director was needed.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

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Yonassan G

Well directed and follows the book very well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

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

The Hunger Games: Official Clip - Cornucopia Bloodbath

2:19

The Hunger Games: Official Clip - Rule Change

2:06

The Hunger Games: Official Clip - They Don't Own Me

1:33

The Hunger Games: Official Clip - The Kiss

2:32

The Hunger Games: Official Clip - Rue's Death

3:01

The Hunger Games: Official Clip - Star-Crossed Lovers

2:00

The Hunger Games: Official Clip - Tracker Jackers

3:03

The Hunger Games: Official Clip - Hope

1:04

The Hunger Games: Official Clip - Shooting the Apple

2:04

The Hunger Games: Official Clip - Get People to Like You

2:37

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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
Producer: Nina Jacobson, Jon Kilik
Screenwriter: Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, Billy Ray
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Color Force, Lionsgate
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
Runtime: 2h 22m

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