Adaptation guide

Suzanne Collinsbooks & movies in order

Every essential book matched to its screen version - 5 adaptations - Updated June 2026

The Hunger Games is one of the most successful book-to-film franchises in history. Lionsgate adapted all three novels into four films, plus a prequel, and the series grossed over $3 billion worldwide.

Book to screen, by book publication

BookPub.AdaptationReleasedTypeScoreWatch onRead
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games
2008The Hunger Games2012Film84%PeacockRead →
Catching Fire
Catching Fire
2009The Hunger Games: Catching Fire2013Film89%PeacockRead →
Mockingjay
Mockingjay
2010The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 12014Film69%PeacockRead →
Mockingjay
Mockingjay
2010The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 22015Film70%PeacockRead →
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
2020The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes2023Film63%PeacockRead →
Recommended read & watch order

Watch in release order: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2, then Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Catching Fire is the best film in the series. The Mockingjay split into two parts was unnecessary but both are watchable.

Where to watch

Max5 titles
Netflix2 titles
Prime Video3 titles
Hulu1 title

Streaming availability changes monthly. We re-check this table regularly.

Where to buy & read

KindleeBook - from $8.99
PaperbackPrint - from $13.29
AudibleAudiobook - free trial
Bookshop.orgIndie - supports local stores

Frequently asked questions

Largely yes. The biggest change is losing Katniss's internal monologue, which the films replace with reaction shots and added scenes showing the game-makers. Catching Fire is the most faithful adaptation.

Read it first if you can. The book spends much more time inside young Coriolanus Snow's head, which makes his moral descent more compelling. The film condenses this significantly.

Suzanne Collins announced Sunrise on the Reaping, a new novel set during the Second Quarter Quell. A film adaptation is planned. It will focus on Haymitch Abernathy's Games.

Contains affiliate linksUpdated June 2026