The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Remember who the enemy is.
After surviving the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta struggle with the consequences of their victory as unrest spreads across Panem. Forced back into the spotlight, they become symbols of hope and resistance while the Capitol prepares a new and deadly challenge that will change the future of the nation forever.
| Type | Movie |
|---|---|
| Released | 15 November 2013 |
| Genre | Adventure, Action, Science Fiction |
| Director | Francis Lawrence |
| Starring | Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth |
| Runtime | 146 min |
| Rated | PG-13 |
| Scores | Rotten Tomatoes 89% · Rotten Tomatoes (average) 7.6/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 90% · Metacritic 76/100 · TMDB users 7.4/10 |
| Budget | $130 million |
| Box office | $865 million worldwide |
Where to watch The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is streaming on Netflix ($17.99 a month) in the US. 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
Francis Lawrence takes over the director’s chair for this 146-minute entry in the trilogy. The story leans into the tension of a rebellion brewing beneath the surface of a glittering, authoritarian state. It is less about the arena and more about the politics of survival. Jennifer Lawrence anchors the cast as Katniss, a figure who has become a symbol she does not want to be. The film asks what happens when a symbol of hope is controlled by the very people who created the game. It is a long watch, but the stakes feel personal. The Capitol is not just a place; it is a machine that feeds on attention.
What the critics said
Critics largely agreed that the sequel hit harder than the original. Rotten Tomatoes tracks a 90% approval rating across 291 reviews, while Metacritic settles on a 76 Metascore. The general consensus describes it as a smarter, more polished entry into the dystopian franchise. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone called the pop-culture escapism "thrilling," noting that Katniss is a character worth a handful of sequels. Stephanie Zacharek of The Village Voice found Jennifer Lawrence "magnificent to watch," praising her commitment to the role. It was the highest-rated science fiction/fantasy movie of the year on Rotten Tomatoes. One dissenting voice, Sophie Monks Kaufman of Little White Lies, criticized the "dilution" of the narrative focus. That is a fair point, though it does not explain why audiences gave it an average "A" grade on CinemaScore.
How it did with audiences
Catching Fire pulled in $865 million worldwide against a $130 million budget. In North America, it took in $425 million. Those numbers make it the highest-grossing film in the series, the biggest Lionsgate release, and the top 2013 movie in the US. It also became the first film with a female lead since 1973 to top the yearly box office. On TMDB, users rate it 7.4 out of 10. The audience did the math, and the studio just signed the check.
What came next for the cast
Jennifer Lawrence arrived from X-Men: First Class and left for Passengers. Josh Hutcherson came from The Polar Express and exited into Five Nights at Freddy's. Liam Hemsworth stepped out of The Expendables 2 and into The Witcher. Woody Harrelson, the outlier, had No Country for Old Men behind him and Venom ahead. The credits show a shift, not a cause. They list what followed, not what forced the change.
If you liked this
TMDB's recommendations for people who watched The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
Read more: The Hunger Games · The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
Sources
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on TMDB — synopsis, cast, ratings and recommendations
- Wikidata Q574583 — review scores, box office and awards (CC0)
- “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” 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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