The Hunger Games

Play trailer

The Hunger Games

PG-13

Released Mar 23, 2012

2h 22m

Sci-Fi

Action

Adventure

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

314 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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

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

Full Review

Read all reviews

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

Full Review

.

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

Michael P

As far as film adaptations go, this movie is pretty accurate. Of course, there are things missing, but it is a great movie—one of my favorites.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

Full Review

Michael D

A captivating entry point into the world of The Hunger Games, the film's greatest strength is its setting. Jennifer Lawrence's performance is a highlight, though it's not matched by her co-star Josh Hutcherson. And while the world looks spectacular, some of the visual effects feel dated and stand out as a weak point. Ultimately, it serves as a solid foundation for the franchise.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

Kristal R

the book is amazing

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

Full Review

Michelle J

Well acted. Actors did a great job. But I expected something different for some reason. Not my favourite film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

View more videos

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

90%

89%

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1

70%

71%

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2

70%

66%

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2

John Carter

52%

60%

John Carter

Watchlist

Total Recall

30%

47%

Total Recall

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

25 Memorable Movie Lines of the Last 25 Years

87 Fearless Women Movie Heroes Who Inspire Us

The 21 Most Memorable Movie Lines of the Last 21 Years

The Best Movies & TV Shows Of 2012

24:07

View more videos

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now