1
The Hunger Games
2012 · 142 min
Required
Entry point for most viewers; establishes Panem and Katniss.
Watch before Catching Fire. Safe starting point for beginners.
Hunger Games movies in order
Release order: The Hunger Games (2012), Catching Fire (2013), Mockingjay Part 1 (2014), Part 2 (2015), Ballad (2023), Sunrise (2026). First-timers use release; chronological starts with Ballad.
Theatrical / release order — recommended if you have never seen the films.
Known runtimes total: 11h 45m (excludes Sunrise TBA)
2
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
2013 · 146 min
Required
Continues Katniss's arc; essential bridge to Mockingjay.
Required on every serious rewatch path.
3
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
2014 · 123 min
Skip OK*
Sets up the rebellion climax; some viewers find pacing slow.
Controversial skip: many watch it; skipping may confuse Part 2. Marked skip_ok only for tight time budgets—you will miss setup.
4
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2
2015 · 137 min
Required
Closes the original trilogy film arc.
Best after Part 1; if you skipped Part 1, expect gaps.
5
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
2023 · 157 min
Optional
Prequel set during the 10th Hunger Games; helpful context for Sunrise, not required.
Optional before Sunrise. Adds Capitol/early Games color without spoiling Sunrise's plot.
6
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
2026 · Runtime TBA
Required
Upcoming film (US theatrical target ~2026-11-20); set around the 50th Hunger Games.
Do not spoil. Check local listings closer to release. Dates can shift.
Release order vs chronological (quick)
| # Release | Film | Year | Story # | Games era |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hunger Games | 2012 | 3 | #74 |
| 2 | The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | 2013 | 4 | #75 |
| 3 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 | 2014 | 5 | — |
| 4 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 | 2015 | 6 | — |
| 5 | The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | 2023 | 1 | #10 |
| 6 | The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping | 2026 | 2 | #50 |
FAQ
Should I watch release or chronological order first?
First watch: theatrical release order (2012→2026). Chronological (Ballad → Sunrise → trilogy) is better for rewatches.
Where does Sunrise on the Reaping fit?
Story order: after Ballad (10th Games), before the original trilogy films. Release order: last, targeting 2026.
Can I skip Mockingjay Part 1?
Controversial. Some skip for time; Part 2 assumes its setup. Mark skip only on tight budgets — see the skip guide.