The Hunger Games (2012)
The world will be watching.
In a dystopian society where the Capitol forces each district to send two young tributes to fight to the death in a televised spectacle, a girl volunteers to take her sister’s place, setting the stage for a struggle of survival and defiance.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 12 March 2012 |
| Genre | Science Fiction, Adventure, Action, Thriller |
| Director | Gary Ross |
| Starring | Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth |
| Runtime | 142 min |
| Rated | PG-13 |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes (average) 7.3/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 84% · Metacritic 68/100 · TMDB users 7.2/10 |
| Budget | $78 million |
| Box office | $695 million worldwide |
Where to watch The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games is streaming on Netflix ($17.99 a month) in the US. It is also on Fubo. If that is the only reason to subscribe, one month of Netflix is $17.99 at list price.
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What kind of watch this is
Gary Ross directs a 142-minute survival thriller where the audience watches a girl fight to the death on a national broadcast. The hook is simple: the camera never leaves them. It is a science fiction action film about a volunteer taking her sister's place in a televised spectacle. The tension comes from knowing every move is being watched. It is a long watch, but the stakes make it feel immediate.
What the critics said
Rotten Tomatoes reports an 84% approval rating as of November 2022, alongside a 7.3/10 average. Metacritic assigns a 68/100 Metascore, signaling generally favorable reviews. The consensus calls it thrilling and superbly acted. Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss drew specific praise, with Empire magazine noting her "melancholy determination." Roger Ebert gave it 3 out of 4 stars, calling it effective entertainment while criticizing its length and missed social critiques. Not everyone was convinced. David Thomson of The New Republic called it a "terrible movie," citing weak character development. The violence, he argued, felt un-American.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched The Hunger Games.
Sources
- The Hunger Games on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q212965 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “The Hunger Games (film)” on Wikipedia, by its contributors (history) — reception, audience figures and legacy, summarised and adapted here under CC BY-SA 4.0
- Where to watch and prices: Binge Boss, from TMDB watch-provider data (powered by JustWatch) and our own provider list
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