The odds will be ever in your favor once you know how to watch “The Hunger Games” movies in order on some of the best streaming services. The franchise comprises five movies (for now), and they often move between streaming platforms.
Based on the best-selling novels by Suzanne Collins, “The Hunger Games” is set in the dystopian world of Panem, where each year 24 tributes (a male and a female from each of the 12 Districts) are selected to compete in the eponymous games; a Battle Royale-style fight to the death, for the pleasure of the ruling Capitol.
The hero of “The Hunger Games” franchise is Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), who is forced to volunteer for the 74th Hunger Games after her younger sister is selected. She enters the games alongside the baker’s son Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), and battles to survive under the watchful eye of the Capitol's ruler, President Snow (Donald Sutherland).
Alongside following Katniss’ journey to survive the games and lead a rebellion against the cruel Capitol, there is also a prequel entry, “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes”, that explores the backstory of President Snow, and explains how he becomes the ruthless dictator that torments Katniss.
“The Hunger Games” movies are the rarest of blockbusters that earned significant box office revenue and strong critical praise. But with five movies to watch, it can be confusing to know where to start, so here are all the details you need to stream “The Hunger Games” in release date order or by chronological events.
Where to watch “The Hunger Games” in order
As of June 2024, you can watch all four mainline “The Hunger Games” movies on AMC Plus. For the last several months the entire Katniss Everdeen saga had been available to stream on Netflix, but on May 31, 2024, the movies were removed from the popular streaming service.
Meanwhile, if you want to delve deeper into the world of Panem, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” is currently streaming on Starz or PVOD platforms like Amazon, YouTube and Apple.
Watch “The Hunger Games” movies in release order
Watching “The Hunger Games” movies in order of release is super simple. The first four movies adapt the initial trilogy of books, and then the prequel adapts the latest novel in the series.
Here are all “The Hunger Games” movies listed in order of their theatrical release:
- "The Hunger Games" (2012)
Stream on AMC Plus
Rent/buy: Amazon | Apple | YouTube - "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" (2013)
Stream on AMC Plus
Rent/buy: Amazon | Apple | YouTube - "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1" (2014)
Stream on AMC Plus
Rent/buy: Amazon | Apple | YouTube - "The Hunger Games" Mockingjay – Part 2" (2015)
Stream on AMC Plus
Rent/buy: Amazon | Apple | YouTube - "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" (2020)
Stream on Starz
Rent/buy: Amazon | Apple | YouTube
Watch “The Hunger Games” movies in chronological order
Piecing together “The Hunger Games” timeline is a lot simpler compared to some of its contemporaries, you just need to swap around a single movie, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snake”. Otherwise, you can watch as normal.
The first four movies follow Katniss’ storyline in a strictly linear fashion, covering her participation in the 74th Hunger Games and beyond, then the prequel fills in some of the blanks and is set more than 50 years before the rest of the movie in the sci-fi action series.
However, before diving into the chronological order, I should warn you that it’s only recommended to watch “The Hunger Games” movies in timeline order if you have already seen the movies at least once before, or are very familiar with the source material.
- "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" (2020)
- "The Hunger Games" (2012)
- "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" (2013)
- "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1" (2014)
- "The Hunger Games" Mockingjay – Part 2" (2015)
Will there be more “The Hunger Games” movies?
Author Suzanne Collins has confirmed that we will be returning to Panem for a new Hunger Games novel, “Sunrise on the Reaping”. The book will be published on March 18, 2025. Naturally, a new Hunger Games novel led to much speculation about a big-screen movie adaptation, and fans didn’t need to wait long for news on this front.
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” has been confirmed for a theatrical debut on November 20, 2026. That might seem far away, but remember it gives you plenty of time to rewatch the first five movies in the franchise a couple of times over. As of writing, there is virtually no information about the movie beyond its release date. There are no cast details, and we don't yet know who will be directing either.
In fact, much of “Sunrise on the Reaping” is shrouded in mystery. What we do know is that it is set 24 years before the events of the first “Hunger Games” and it starts on the morning of the reaping for the 50th annual Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
Dedicated fans know that the 50th Hunger Games are especially significant as they were won by Haymitch Abernathy. Could “Sunrise on the Reaping” be the Haymitch prequel that fans have been requesting for years? We’ll find out soon enough, but for now, be sure to pass the time until its launch by watching “The Hunger Games” movies currently available.
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