The short answer
The Hunger Games movies in order of release are The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, Part 1, Mockingjay, Part 2, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping. For most viewers, release order is the best way to watch.
- Story order: Ballad, Sunrise, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1, Mockingjay Part 2
- Total: six movies and about 14 hours 23 minutes, counting the new one
- Streaming: the five released films are on Hulu and free with ads on Tubi (checked November 6, 2026)
- Newest film: Sunrise on the Reaping opens only in theaters on November 20, 2026
- Before Sunrise: nothing is strictly required, but watch the first two films if you can
6
Movies, counting Sunrise
2
Prequels in the series
14h 23m
Total runtime of all six
Nov 20
Sunrise opens in 2026
In this article
The Hunger Games movies in order can mean two things: the order they came out, or the order of events in the story. The series adapts Suzanne Collins’s young-adult novels about Panem, a dystopian nation that forces teenagers to fight on live TV in an annual event called the Hunger Games. Because the last two films are prequels, the two orders differ.
Below, you’ll find both lists, runtimes, a rewatch plan, the book map and US streaming options, with no spoilers beyond each premise. For cast, trailers and tickets, see our Sunrise on the Reaping guide.
What are the Hunger Games movies in order of release?
The six films came out between 2012 and 2026, with an eight-year gap before the first prequel. All six carry a PG-13 rating. Francis Lawrence directed every film after the first, which Gary Ross directed.
| # | Movie | US release | Runtime | Which Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hunger Games | Mar 23, 2012 | 142 min (2h 22m) | 74th |
| 2 | The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | Nov 22, 2013 | 146 min (2h 26m) | 75th (Third Quarter Quell) |
| 3 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 | Nov 21, 2014 | 123 min (2h 3m) | After the 75th |
| 4 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 | Nov 20, 2015 | 137 min (2h 17m) | After the 75th |
| 5 | The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | Nov 17, 2023 | 157 min (2h 37m) | 10th |
| 6 | The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping | Nov 20, 2026 | About 158 min (2h 38m) | 50th (Second Quarter Quell) |
How many Hunger Games movies are there?
There are six Hunger Games movies, and five are out now. Sunrise on the Reaping becomes the sixth on November 20, 2026. It is also the only upcoming film we found announced as of November 6, 2026.
What is the Hunger Games chronological order?
In chronological order, the story starts with The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and ends with Mockingjay, Part 2. So both prequels come before the original four films, even though they were released last.
| Story order | Movie | When it happens | Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | 10th Games, 64 years before Katniss’s first Games | 5th |
| 2 | Sunrise on the Reaping | 50th Games, 24 years before Katniss’s first Games | 6th |
| 3 | The Hunger Games | 74th Games | 1st |
| 4 | Catching Fire | 75th Games | 2nd |
| 5 | Mockingjay, Part 1 | After the 75th Games | 3rd |
| 6 | Mockingjay, Part 2 | After the 75th Games | 4th |
Can you watch the Hunger Games movies in order right now?
Not the full timeline at home yet. Sunrise on the Reaping plays only in theaters at launch, and Lionsgate has not announced a streaming date as of November 6, 2026. Therefore, a true timeline watch needs a theater trip between the first prequel and the original film.
Which order should you watch them in?
Watch in release order if you are new, because the prequels work best once you know the world and its older characters. If you already know the story, however, chronological order is a fun way to see Panem change over time.
First-time viewers: release order
This order keeps every reveal the way audiences first met it, and it ends with the new film in theaters.
- Order: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1, Mockingjay Part 2, Ballad, then Sunrise
- Time at home: about 11 hours 45 minutes before Sunrise
Rewatchers: our pick
Start with the original four, then finish with Ballad right before you see Sunrise. As a result, the two prequels sit side by side while the older films stay fresh.
- Order: the same as release order
- Why: Ballad and Sunrise both explore Panem’s past, so they pair well
Fans who know it all: timeline order
This order follows Panem’s history from the 10th Games onward. For now, though, you would see Ballad, go to the theater for Sunrise, and then start the original film.
- Order: Ballad, Sunrise, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1, Mockingjay Part 2
- Best for: people who already know how the original story ends
How do the books map to the Hunger Games movies?
Each novel became one film, except Mockingjay, which Lionsgate split into two. In other words, five books produce six movies. Publication dates below come from Scholastic, the series publisher.
| Book | Published | Movie | Movie year |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hunger Games | September 2008 | The Hunger Games | 2012 |
| Catching Fire | September 1, 2009 | Catching Fire | 2013 |
| Mockingjay | August 24, 2010 | Mockingjay, Part 1 and Part 2 | 2014 and 2015 |
| The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes | May 19, 2020 | The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | 2023 |
| Sunrise on the Reaping | March 18, 2025 | Sunrise on the Reaping | 2026 |
Book readers can follow the same two orders, because the novels match the films’ sequence. If you plan to read first, our tips on how to read more books can help you fit them in.
Where can you stream the Hunger Games movies in order?
All five released films stream on Hulu in the US, and Tubi carries them free with ads. These listings come from JustWatch, checked November 6, 2026, and they can change without notice.
| Movie | Subscription | Free with ads | Rent or buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hunger Games | Hulu; Lionsgate+ on Amazon (to Nov 14) | Tubi (to Dec 1) | Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
| Catching Fire | Hulu; Lionsgate+ on Amazon (to Nov 14) | Tubi (to Dec 1) | Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
| Mockingjay, Part 1 | Hulu; Lionsgate+ on Amazon (to Nov 14) | Tubi (to Dec 1) | Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
| Mockingjay, Part 2 | Hulu; Lionsgate+ on Amazon (to Nov 14) | Tubi (to Dec 1) | Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
| The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | Hulu; Lionsgate+ on Amazon (to Nov 14) | Tubi (to Dec 1) | Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
| Sunrise on the Reaping | Not streaming | Not streaming | Theaters only; digital date not announced |
Are the Hunger Games movies on Netflix?
No, not in the US as of November 6, 2026. JustWatch shows no Netflix listing, and Yahoo reports that the films moved from Netflix after their run there. JustWatch dates the Hulu listings to October 14, 2026.
Can you watch the Hunger Games movies for free?
Yes, for now. Tubi lists all five free with ads, and JustWatch shows those listings running through December 1, 2026. Separately, Fandango’s promoted free run ended October 31. JustWatch still shows a free Fandango at Home entry, but we could not confirm it from outside the US.
Are they on Disney+?
We could not confirm this. Yahoo and AOL report that the films are on Disney+ as well as Hulu, whereas JustWatch shows no standalone Disney+ listing on November 6, 2026. So check the Disney+ app if you subscribe, and treat Hulu as the safer bet.
How much do you need to watch before Sunrise on the Reaping?
You don’t strictly need to watch anything, since the story begins decades before Katniss. Still, two films give you most of the useful context: The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. Note that Sunrise has not opened yet, so this advice rests on its premise and cast, not on a viewing.
| Your time | Watch | Total | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| One evening | Catching Fire only | 2h 26m | Quarter Quell rules, plus older versions of Beetee, Wiress and Mags |
| A weekend day | The Hunger Games, Catching Fire | 4h 48m | The world, the Games and the older Haymitch |
| A full weekend | Add Ballad | 7h 25m | Panem’s early history and a younger Snow |
| The whole set | All five released films | 11h 45m | Everything, in release order |
You can also skip the two Mockingjay films if time is short, because they take place after this story. Early screenings start November 18, and the official film site has the trailers.
Is Sunrise on the Reaping a prequel?
Yes. Sunrise on the Reaping is a prequel set 24 years before The Hunger Games, and it follows a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, the District 12 mentor from the original films, in the 50th Games. It is the second prequel after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
Is it a sequel to The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
Not directly. It takes place about 40 years after Ballad and centers on different lead characters, although Coriolanus Snow links the two as an older president. So you can skip Ballad and still follow it. For more on what else is coming to theaters, see our movie release calendar and Avengers: Doomsday guide.
Our verdict
Watch the Hunger Games movies in order of release: the original four, then Ballad, then Sunrise on the Reaping in theaters. Short on time? Stream The Hunger Games and Catching Fire on Hulu or Tubi this month, and leave the timeline marathon for when Sunrise reaches home viewing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct order to watch the Hunger Games movies?
The best order for most people is release order: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1, Mockingjay Part 2, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, then Sunrise on the Reaping. This keeps the original story’s reveals intact and gives the prequels more meaning. If you already know the story, you can try chronological order instead.
What are the Hunger Games movies in chronological order?
In chronological order, watch The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Sunrise on the Reaping, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1 and Mockingjay Part 2. Ballad covers the 10th Games, Sunrise covers the 50th, and the original films begin with the 74th. Sunrise is only in theaters from November 20, 2026, so the full timeline needs a cinema trip.
How many Hunger Games movies are there?
There are six Hunger Games movies counting Sunrise on the Reaping, which opens November 20, 2026. Five are out now: the original four films and the 2023 prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Mockingjay was split into two films, so the five novels became six movies. All six together run about 14 hours 23 minutes.
Where can I stream all the Hunger Games movies?
As of November 6, 2026, JustWatch lists all five released films on Hulu in the US and free with ads on Tubi through December 1. Lionsgate+ on Amazon also lists them until November 14, and you can rent or buy each one on Prime Video, Apple TV or Fandango at Home. Sunrise on the Reaping is theaters only at launch.
Do I need to watch the Hunger Games movies before Sunrise on the Reaping?
No, you don’t strictly need to, because the story takes place decades before Katniss. Even so, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire provide the most useful background on the Games, the older Haymitch and the mentors. Together they take about 4 hours 48 minutes. Add The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes if you want more of Snow’s history.
Is Sunrise on the Reaping a prequel to The Hunger Games?
Yes. Sunrise on the Reaping is set 24 years before The Hunger Games, during the 50th Games, and it follows a teenage Haymitch Abernathy. It is the second prequel in the series, after The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. However, it takes place about 40 years after that film and is not a direct sequel to it.
