The Hunger Games (2012)
Kernel Score: 82% · 23,057 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Action, Thriller
Released: 2012-03-12
Runtime: 142 minutes
Is The Hunger Games worth watching?
Worth watching. A tense young-adult dystopia with a strong lead performance and a clear, cruel idea. It's a bit tame in places, but it has momentum and stays on the right side of grim.
Watch it if you
- like dystopian survival stories
- want a strong lead
- enjoy a series you can follow
Skip it if you
- dislike stories about children fighting
- want a lot of violence shown on screen
Best for: Teen-friendly movie night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Hunger Games
- Stream: Hulu, Fubo
- Free with ads: Fandango at Home
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
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.
Movies like The Hunger Games
If you liked The Hunger Games, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) — 84%: The sequel, which raises the stakes.
- The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) — 79%: Prequel about the early history of the games.
- Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018) — 81%: Dystopian young-adult action finale.
- Alita: Battle Angel (2019) — 80%: Futuristic action about a young heroine.
- The Darkest Minds (2018) — 78%: Young-adult story of teenagers hunted by the state.
Director
Cast
- Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
- Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark
- Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne
- Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy
- Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket
- Lenny Kravitz as Cinna
- Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman
- Donald Sutherland as President Coriolanus Snow
- Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane
- Toby Jones as Claudius Templesmith
The Hunger Games FAQ
Is The Hunger Games worth watching?
Worth watching. A tense young-adult dystopia with a strong lead performance and a clear, cruel idea. It's a bit tame in places, but it has momentum and stays on the right side of grim.
Where can I watch The Hunger Games?
In the US you can stream The Hunger Games on Hulu and Fubo, watch it free with ads on Fandango at Home and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
What is The Hunger Games rated?
The Hunger Games is rated PG-13.
What movies are like The Hunger Games?
If you liked The Hunger Games, try The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Maze Runner: The Death Cure and Alita: Battle Angel.