Every ‘Hunger Games’ Movie Ranked from Worst to Best

From Panem’s televised terror to the Capitol’s downfall and one chilling origin story, the ‘Hunger Games’ films trace a full arc of power, propaganda, and survival. Below is a simple countdown of every feature film in the franchise, ordered strictly by widely reported audience scores, so you can see how the saga’s pieces fit together and where to start if you’re new to the series.

‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1’ (2014)

Set largely in underground District 13, this installment pivots the series from arena combat to information warfare, following Katniss as the face of a rebellion crafting “propos” to rally the districts. Francis Lawrence directs, continuing from the prior film, with returning leads including Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth. The film’s soundtrack was curated by Lorde, who also contributed original music. It was dedicated to Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died near the end of production.

‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ (2023)

A prequel set during the 10th Hunger Games, it follows a young Coriolanus Snow as he mentors District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird, tracing early roots of Capitol power structures and spectacle. Francis Lawrence returns to direct, with Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler leading the cast. The film adapts Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name and explores how Games mechanics and public manipulation evolved. It carries a PG-13 classification for strong violent content and disturbing material.

‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2’ (2015)

This conclusion centers on the final push toward the Capitol, detailing tactical missions, urban traps known as “pods,” and the ultimate confrontation with President Snow. Directed by Francis Lawrence, it reunites the ensemble cast to close the rebellion storyline. The production earned multiple award nominations across technical and fan-voted categories. The title’s classification notes intense sequences of violence and thematic material.

‘The Hunger Games’ (2012)

The series opener introduces the reaping, the 12 districts, and the arena structure that forces tributes into a televised fight to the death, centering on Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. Gary Ross directs, adapting Suzanne Collins’ novel and establishing the franchise’s political world-building and survival mechanics. The film features the Capitol’s authoritarian system, the role of sponsors, and training and interview rituals that shape public perception. It launched one of the decade’s defining young-adult franchises.

‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ (2013)

Picking up after the first victory tour, this chapter introduces the Quarter Quell twist that reshapes the arena and escalates unrest across the districts. Francis Lawrence takes over directing duties, expanding Capitol world-building and the series’ action scale. Key elements include new allies, higher-stakes arena design, and the rebellion’s growing coordination outside the Games. The title carries a PG-13 rating for intense sequences of violence and action, frightening images, and thematic elements.

Got your own ordering of the Games? Drop your list in the comments and tell us why!