The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
{{Short description|2023 film by Francis Lawrence}}
{{About|the film|the novel|The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes{{!}}The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = The Hunger Games:
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
| image = The Hunger Games - The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes official poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Francis Lawrence
| screenplay = {{Plainlist|
}}
| based_on = {{Based on|The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes|Suzanne Collins}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Nina Jacobson
- Brad Simpson
- Francis Lawrence
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Tom Blyth
- Rachel Zegler
- Hunter Schafer
- Jason Schwartzman
- Peter Dinklage
- Josh Andrés Rivera
- Viola Davis
}}
| cinematography = Jo Willems
| editing = Mark Yoshikawa
| music = James Newton Howard
| studio = {{Plainlist|
- Lionsgate Films{{cite web |title=The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) - Movie |url=https://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes/U5NGv1rB0QpQgWj0tkBMm2/main/ |website=Moviefone |access-date=4 April 2025}}
- Color Force
- about:blank
- Studio Babelsberg
}}
| distributor = Lionsgate Films
| released = {{Film date|2023|11|5|Berlin|2023|11|17|United States}}
| runtime = 157 minutes{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2023 |title=The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (12A) |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdeynzgx |access-date=September 18, 2023 |website=BBFC |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014120808/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdeynzgx |url-status=live}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| gross = $349 million{{Cite web |title=The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Hunger-Games-The-The-Ballad-of-Songbirds-and-Snakes-(2023)#tab=box-office |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=The Numbers |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122091129/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Hunger-Games-The-The-Ballad-of-Songbirds-and-Snakes-(2023)#tab=box-office |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1262387969/ |access-date=March 17, 2024 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121205219/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1262387969/ |url-status=live}}
}}
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is a 2023 American dystopian action film directed by Francis Lawrence and written by Michael Lesslie and Michael Arndt, based on the 2020 novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. It is a prequel to The Hunger Games (2012) and the fifth installment in The Hunger Games franchise. The film stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, Jason Schwartzman, Peter Dinklage, Josh Andrés Rivera, and Viola Davis. In the film, Coriolanus Snow (Blyth) is called on to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler), a Games tribute, as he seeks to restore his family's prosperity in Panem.
Lionsgate Films CEO Jon Feltheimer confirmed future Hunger Games films would be produced if Collins wrote further installments. In 2019, the studio announced plans for Songbirds & Snakes and official development on the film began a year later, with Lawrence returning as director and Lesslie and Ardnt serving as screenwriters. Blyth and Zegler were cast in May 2022 and principal photography began that July and lasted until that November, with filming locations including Wrocław, Berlin, and Leipzig.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes premiered in Berlin on November 5, 2023,{{Cite web |last=Adekaiyero |first=Ayomikun |date=November 6, 2023 |title=Rachel Zegler channeled Katniss Everdeen at the premiere of 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.' Here are the 12 best red carpet photos. |url=https://www.insider.com/the-hunger-games-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-premiere-photos-2023-11#rachel-zegler-plays-lucy-gray-baird-a-district-12-tribute-in-the-10th-hunger-games-1 |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=Insider |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207113427/https://www.insider.com/the-hunger-games-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-premiere-photos-2023-11#rachel-zegler-plays-lucy-gray-baird-a-district-12-tribute-in-the-10th-hunger-games-1 |url-status=live}} and was theatrically released in the United States on November 17. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its cast and story, but criticism for its execution. It grossed $347 million worldwide against a production budget of $100 million, making The Hunger Games series the 20th-highest-grossing film franchise of all time, having grossed $3.3 billion worldwide.{{Cite web |title=The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes box office numbers |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Hunger-Games-The-The-Ballad-of-Songbirds-and-Snakes-(2023)#tab=summary |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=The Numbers |url-status=live}}
A sequel based on Sunrise on the Reaping is set to be released November 20, 2026.{{Cite web |last=Morrow |first=Brendan |title=New 'Hunger Games' book and film adaptation in the works: 'Sunrise on the Reaping' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2024/06/06/the-hunger-games-new-book-movie-sunrise-on-the-reaping/73996034007/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=June 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607041019/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2024/06/06/the-hunger-games-new-book-movie-sunrise-on-the-reaping/73996034007/ |url-status=live}}
Plot
In war-ravaged Panem, Coriolanus Snow is one of twenty-four Academy students selected to mentor a 10th Annual Hunger Games tribute. Coriolanus hopes to win the Plinth Prize scholarship to restore his family's prosperity, which was lost after his father's death.
Coriolanus is assigned District 12's female tribute, Lucy Gray Baird. During the reaping ceremony, she engages the Capitol audience by slipping a snake down the dress of Mayor Lipp's daughter, Mayfair, then defiantly sings to the crowd. Coriolanus earns Lucy Gray's trust while accompanying her to the Capitol Zoo, where tributes are publicly caged. While a few mentors visit the tributes at the zoo, fellow mentor Arachne Crane is killed by her tribute, Brandy, who is immediately shot and killed by Peacekeepers.
While touring the game arena, rebel bombs explode, killing several tributes and mentors, and fatally wounding the President's son, Felix. After Lucy Gray saves Coriolanus from falling debris, he gives her rat poison as a weapon and says the bombings have opened tunnels in the arena, providing additional hiding places during the Games.
The Games commence the next morning, with Lucy Gray surviving the initial bloodbath and reuniting with Jessup, District 12's male tribute. Jessup, weakened by rabies, later succumbs to a fall. During the Games' last round, genetically modified, venomous snakes are dropped into the arena to avenge Felix's death. With Coriolanus's help, Lucy Gray avoids being bitten and wins the Games. Afterwards, Dean Casca Highbottom accuses Coriolanus of cheating, showing a handkerchief dropped into the snake tank to recognize Lucy Gray's scent and his mother's compact filled with the poison Lucy used. Consequently, Highbottom sentences Coriolanus to 20 years as a Peacekeeper. Coriolanus bribes an officer to transfer him to District 12. Fellow Academy student Sejanus Plinth, who has grown disillusioned with the Capitol's ideals after seeing his tribute, Marcus, die, volunteers to join him.
In District 12, Coriolanus and Lucy Gray reunite. Shortly after witnessing a rebel's execution, Coriolanus is to transfer for officer training in District 2. Coriolanus later finds Sejanus meeting with rebels Spruce, Billy Taupe (Lucy Gray's former love interest), and Mayfair. In the ensuing confrontation, Coriolanus fatally shoots Mayfair and Spruce kills Billy. Coriolanus allows a jabberjay to hear Sejanus' plans. Spruce hides the guns, but he and Sejanus are later hanged for treason.
Lucy Gray and Coriolanus flee north. At a small cabin, Coriolanus finds the hidden weapons tying him to Mayfair's murder. Lucy Gray, distrusting Coriolanus, disappears into the woods. After he is bitten by a snake and unsuccessfully tries to shoot Lucy Gray, Coriolanus dumps the guns into the lake near the cabin. With no remaining witnesses, he returns to District 12.
Coriolanus is sent to the Capitol, where Head Gamemaker Dr. Volumnia Gaul reveals she procured his pardon and scholarship to the Capitol University. Sejanus' parents, unaware Coriolanus caused their son's death, make him their heir. Dean Highbottom tells Coriolanus that he conceived the Hunger Games while he was drunk (with unwanted assistance from Coriolanus' father) and has been traumatized ever since. Coriolanus poisons Dean Highbottom's drug stash, killing the latter and beginning his rise to power, while Lucy Gray's fate is left unknown.
Cast
- Tom Blyth as Coriolanus "Coryo" Snow: A mentor for the upcoming 10th Hunger Games and future President of Panem
- Dexter Sol Ansell as young Coriolanus
- Archival audio of Donald Sutherland as the older President Coriolanus Snow, from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1, is played at the end of the film
- Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird: The female tribute from District 12 and a member of the Covey, a traveling musician group
- Hunter Schafer as Tigris Snow: Coriolanus's older cousin and confidante. She would go on to become a stylist in the Games and an ally to Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.
- Rosa Gotzler as young Tigris
- Jason Schwartzman as Lucretius "Lucky" Flickerman
- Peter Dinklage as Casca Highbottom
- Josh Andrés Rivera as Sejanus Plinth
- Viola Davis as Dr. Volumnia Gaul
- Fionnula Flanagan as Grandma'am: Coriolanus and Tigris's grandmother
- Burn Gorman as Commander Hoff
;Additional mentors
- Ashley Liao as Clemensia Dovecote: A classmate and friend of Snow, and a mentor to a tribute from District 11
- Max Raphael as Festus Creed: A classmate of Snow, and mentor to a tribute from District 4
- Zoe Renee as Lysistrata Vickers: A classmate of Snow, and mentor of the other District 12 tribute, Jessup
- Aamer Husain as Felix Ravinstill: A classmate of Snow, son of the President of Panem, and mentor to a tribute from District 11
- Lilly Cooper as Arachne Crane: A classmate of Snow and a mentor to a tribute from District 10
;Additional tributes
- Nick Benson as Jessup: The male tribute from District 12 alongside Lucy Gray
- Mackenzie Lansing as Coral: The female tribute from District 4 and leader of "the Pack". Coral's role from the books was expanded to fit the film's plot.
- Cooper Dillon as Mizzen: The male tribute from District 4
- Kjell Brutscheidt as Tanner: The male tribute from District 10
- Sofia Sanchez as Wovey: The young female tribute from District 8
Dakota Shapiro plays Billy Taupe, Lucy Gray's former love interest and a former member of the Covey.
Isobel Jesper Jones plays Mayfair Lipp, the daughter of District 12's mayor, a rival of Lucy Gray, and Billy Taupe's new girlfriend.
George Somner plays Spruce, a rebel citizen from District 12.
Other members of Lucy Gray's travelling musician group, the Covey, include Vaughan Reilly as Maude Ivory, Honor Gillies as Barb Azure, Eike Onyambu as Tam Amber, and Konstantin Taffet as Clerk Carmine.
Michael Greco and Daniela Grubert appear as Strabo Plinth and Mrs. Plinth, Sejanus' parents, while Carl Spencer and Scott Folan appear as Smiley and Beanpole, two peacekeepers sent by the Capitol to District 12.
Production
= Development =
File:6 John Halle's Hall 2023 04 15 IMG 1562.jpg, a medieval hall house now the foyer of the Odeon Cinema, Salisbury, UK, April 15, 2023.]]
In August 2017, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer expressed interest in more stories in The Hunger Games film series, but only with the approval of the author of the series, Suzanne Collins.{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=August 8, 2017 |title=Lionsgate Chief Says 'Hunger Games,' 'Twilight' Have 'More Stories to Tell' |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/lionsgate-ceo-more-hunger-games-twilight-1202520074/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130213525/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/lionsgate-ceo-more-hunger-games-twilight-1202520074/ |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |website=Variety |access-date=July 31, 2023}}
In June 2019, Joe Drake, chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, announced that the company was working with author Suzanne Collins with regards to an adaptation of the novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=June 17, 2019 |title='Hunger Games' Prequel Novel From Suzanne Collins Coming In 2020, Lionsgate In Talks For Movie |url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/hunger-games-prequel-novel-movie-announced-2020-suzanne-collins-1202633483/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029141755/https://deadline.com/2019/06/hunger-games-prequel-novel-movie-announced-2020-suzanne-collins-1202633483/ |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |access-date=July 31, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} By April 2020, Collins and Lionsgate confirmed that plans were underway for the film's development. Francis Lawrence was later confirmed to direct, after doing so for the prior three films in the series since The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The screenplay was written by Collins, Michael Arndt and Michael Lesslie, with Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson as producers along with Lawrence.{{Cite web |last=Baxter |first=Joseph |date=April 21, 2020 |title=Hunger Games Prequel Movie The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Officially Set by Lionsgate |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/hunger-games-prequel-movie-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426220627/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/hunger-games-prequel-movie-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes/ |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |access-date=July 31, 2021 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |last2=Hayes |first2=Dade |date=August 5, 2021 |title='Hunger Games' Prequel To Start Production In First Half Of 2022, Lionsgate Film Boss Joe Drake Says |url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/hunger-games-prequel-ballad-songbirds-snakes-movie-production-start-in-first-half-of-2022-1234810116/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805221041/https://deadline.com/2021/08/hunger-games-prequel-ballad-songbirds-snakes-movie-production-start-in-first-half-of-2022-1234810116/ |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |access-date=August 6, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} Concerned over the book's length, Lawrence briefly considered to split the film in two parts like he did with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, but abandoned the idea to do so, due to his regrets over that decision. Jacobson felt that the finished film had a "daunting" length but feels that it "really goes by so fast".{{Cite magazine |last=Wang |first=Jessica |date=November 3, 2023 |title=Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes director considered splitting the movie into two parts |url=https://ew.com/movies/ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-director-considered-splitting-hunger-games-prequel/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en |access-date=November 3, 2023 |archive-date=November 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103165453/https://ew.com/movies/ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-director-considered-splitting-hunger-games-prequel/ |url-status=live}} Collins, in addition, would serve as an executive producer on the film.
= Casting =
In May 2022, Tom Blyth was cast as the young President Snow,{{Cite web |last=Juneau |first=Jen |date=May 16, 2022 |title=The Hunger Games Prequel Casts Billy the Kid's Tom Blyth as a Young President Snow |url=https://people.com/movies/hunger-games-prequel-casts-tom-blyth-young-president-snow-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-exclusive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715145200/https://people.com/movies/hunger-games-prequel-casts-tom-blyth-young-president-snow-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-exclusive/ |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=People |language=en}} with Rachel Zegler as his protégée, tribute Lucy Gray Baird.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=May 31, 2022 |title=Rachel Zegler To Play Lucy Gray Baird In Lionsgate's The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/rachel-zegler-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-1235035749/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531160855/https://deadline.com/2022/05/rachel-zegler-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-1235035749/ |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Zegler was originally offered the role in January, but initially turned it down before later changing her mind.{{Cite web |last=Mantilla |first=Ryan Louis |date=January 29, 2023 |title=Rachel Zegler Reveals She Initially Turned Down 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' |url=https://collider.com/rachel-zegler-turned-down-hunger-games-prequel-role/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130003736/https://collider.com/rachel-zegler-turned-down-hunger-games-prequel-role/ |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Collider |language=en}} In June 2022, Josh Andrés Rivera (who previously starred in 2021's West Side Story alongside Zegler), Hunter Schafer and Jason Schwartzman were cast.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=June 15, 2022 |title='The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes': Josh Andres Rivera To Reteam With 'West Side Story' Star Rachel Zegler |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-josh-andres-rivera-1235046220/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225035936/https://deadline.com/2022/06/hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-josh-andres-rivera-1235046220/ |archive-date=February 25, 2023 |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=June 22, 2022 |title='Euphoria's Hunter Schafer Latest To Join 'Hunger Games: Ballad Of The Songbirds And Snakes' |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/hunger-games-ballad-of-the-song-euphoria-hunter-schafer-1235050254/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225035932/https://deadline.com/2022/06/hunger-games-ballad-of-the-song-euphoria-hunter-schafer-1235050254/ |archive-date=February 25, 2023 |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=June 27, 2022 |title='The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes': Jason Schwartzman Newest Addition To Lionsgate Prequel |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-adds-jason-schwartzman-1235052631/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810204534/https://deadline.com/2022/06/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-adds-jason-schwartzman-1235052631/ |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |access-date=June 27, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} Peter Dinklage was cast in the following month.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=July 18, 2022 |title='Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes': Peter Dinklage To Co-Star In Lionsgate Prequel |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-snakes-peter-dinklage-1235071592/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722022715/https://deadline.com/2022/07/hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-snakes-peter-dinklage-1235071592/ |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |access-date=July 18, 2022}} Throughout June and July 2022, the cast was rounded out with actors portraying the film's multiple tributes and mentors.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=June 14, 2022 |title='The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes': Here's The First Round Of Tributes & Mentors |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-tributes-cast-1235045100/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807111418/https://deadline.com/2022/06/hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-tributes-cast-1235045100/ |archive-date=August 7, 2022 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=June 21, 2022 |title='The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes': Here's The 2nd Round Of Tributes, Mentors & More |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/the-hunger-games-prequel-cast-ms-marvel-laurel-marsden-1235049227/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720001703/https://deadline.com/2022/06/the-hunger-games-prequel-cast-ms-marvel-laurel-marsden-1235049227/ |archive-date=July 20, 2022 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=June 28, 2022 |title='Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes': Six Join Prequel's Growing Ensemble Of Tributes & Mentors |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-snakes-six-join-prequels-growing-ensemble-of-tributes-mentors-1235053474/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820035529/https://deadline.com/2022/06/hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-snakes-six-join-prequels-growing-ensemble-of-tributes-mentors-1235053474/ |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=July 6, 2022 |title='Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes': Fourth Round Of Tributes & Mentors Counts Nine |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-snakes-cast-1235058902/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716032759/https://deadline.com/2022/07/hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-snakes-cast-1235058902/ |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |access-date=July 6, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} On August 15, 2022, it was reported that Viola Davis was cast as Volumnia Gaul, the head gamemaker of the 10th annual Hunger Games.{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=August 15, 2022 |title='The Hunger Games': Viola Davis Latest To Join Lionsgate Franchise's 'The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes' |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/viola-davis-joins-the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-1235092534/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124174206/https://deadline.com/2022/08/viola-davis-joins-the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-1235092534/ |archive-date=November 24, 2022 |access-date=August 15, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} On September 16, 2022, more cast members were revealed, including Burn Gorman and Fionnula Flanagan.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=September 16, 2022 |title='Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes' Rounds Out Cast With Fionnula Flanagan, 10 Others |url=https://deadline.com/2022/09/hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-snakes-fionnula-flanagan-final-cast-1235120707/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916182953/https://deadline.com/2022/09/hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-snakes-fionnula-flanagan-final-cast-1235120707/ |archive-date=September 16, 2022 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}
= Filming =
Filming began in Wrocław, Poland, on July 11, 2022, and ended in Berlin, Germany, on November 5, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Eckardt |first=Stephanie |date=July 19, 2022 |title=Everything We Know About the Hunger Games Prequel |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/the-hunger-games-ball-of-songbirds-and-snakes-cast-release-date |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719191931/https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/the-hunger-games-ball-of-songbirds-and-snakes-cast-release-date |archive-date=July 19, 2022 |access-date=July 20, 2022 |website=W}} Filming locations included the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig,{{Citation |last=Emma Schmidt |title=Hollywooddreh am Völkerschlachtdenkmal |date=May 5, 2023 |url=https://www.lvz.de/lokales/leipzig/leipzig-voelkerschlachtdenkmal-wird-teil-der-tribute-von-panem-HFQ5QVIMGBA7JAZ42XXNFJR7TM.html |work=Leipziger Volkszeitung |pages=1 |access-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505162333/https://www.lvz.de/lokales/leipzig/leipzig-voelkerschlachtdenkmal-wird-teil-der-tribute-von-panem-HFQ5QVIMGBA7JAZ42XXNFJR7TM.html |url-status=live |language=de |archive-date=May 5, 2023}} the Strausberger Platz and the Olympic Stadium in Berlin and the Centennial Hall in Wrocław.{{Cite web |last=Gersz |first=Ola |date=May 4, 2023 |title=W nowych "Igrzyskach śmierci" wystąpiła... Hala Stulecia z Wrocławia. Jest nie do poznania! |trans-title=The new 'Hunger Games' feature... the Wrocław Centennial Hall. It's unrecognizable! |url=https://natemat.pl/485456,hala-stulecia-we-wroclawiu-w-nowych-igrzyskach-smierci |access-date=September 21, 2023 |website=naTemat.pl |language=PL-pl |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928120145/https://natemat.pl/485456,hala-stulecia-we-wroclawiu-w-nowych-igrzyskach-smierci |url-status=live}} Some scenes in the film were also shot in the "Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord" in Duisburg in North Rhine-Westphalia,{{Cite web |url=https://www.waz.de/staedte/duisburg/tribute-von-panem-neuer-trailer-zeigt-hollywood-in-duisburg-id238292809.html |title=Tribute von Panem: Neuer Trailer zeigt Hollywood in Duisburg |date=May 3, 2023 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115220123/https://www.waz.de/staedte/duisburg/tribute-von-panem-neuer-trailer-zeigt-hollywood-in-duisburg-id238292809.html |url-status=live}} and areas around Wałbrzych (Poland), including Boguszów-Gorce; a fragment of the trail leading to Chełmiec Mountain, and the lake in Grzędy.{{Cite web |title=Propaganda Posters, The Hanging Tree, Peacekeeper Vehicles, Extras and More! Inside The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Set In Germany and Poland - The Hunger Games News - Panem Propaganda |url=https://www.panempropaganda.com/movie-countdown/2022/9/2/propaganda-posters-the-hanging-tree-peacekeeper-vehicles-ext.html |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=www.panempropaganda.com |language=en |archive-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210173919/https://www.panempropaganda.com/movie-countdown/2022/9/2/propaganda-posters-the-hanging-tree-peacekeeper-vehicles-ext.html |url-status=live}}
Music
{{Main|The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (soundtrack){{!}}The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (soundtrack)|The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (score){{!}}The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (score)}}
The soundtrack for The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes contains the film's version of songs such as "The Hanging Tree", "Pure as the Driven Snow", which were live performed by Zegler, and produced by Dave Cobb, which heavily drew from Appalachian-country folk music.{{Cite magazine |last1=September 25 |first1=Jessica Wang |last2=EDT |first2=2023 at 12:00 PM |title='Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' brings young Coriolanus Snow to life |url=https://ew.com/movies/hunger-games-prequel-ballad-songbirds-and-snakes-director-interview-cover-story/ |access-date=September 26, 2023 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013225445/https://ew.com/movies/hunger-games-prequel-ballad-songbirds-and-snakes-director-interview-cover-story/ |url-status=live}} The official soundtrack The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (Music From & Inspired By) was released on November 17, by Geffen Records featuring tracks performed by Zegler, as well as songs performed by established Americana and folk artists, and was led by two singles: "The Hanging Tree (Lucy Gray's version)" was released on October 20, 2023,{{Cite magazine |last=Zemler |first=Emily |date=October 20, 2023 |title=Hear Rachel Zegler Perform 'The Hanging Tree' for 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rachel-zegler-the-hanging-tree-the-hunger-games-single-1234858826/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |access-date=November 5, 2023 |archive-date=November 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105050153/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rachel-zegler-the-hanging-tree-the-hunger-games-single-1234858826/ |url-status=live}} and "Can't Catch Me Now", performed by Olivia Rodrigo, was released on November 3.{{Cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=November 1, 2023 |title=Olivia Rodrigo Announces 'Can't Catch Me Now' Song Off Upcoming 'Hunger Games' Soundtrack |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-cant-catch-me-now-hunger-games-soundtrack-1235461693/ |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |access-date=November 2, 2023 |archive-date=November 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102001054/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-cant-catch-me-now-hunger-games-soundtrack-1235461693/ |url-status=live}}
In July 2022, composer James Newton Howard confirmed that he would return to score the film.{{Cite web |last=says |first=Darren |title=James Newton Howard to Score Francis Lawrence's 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' {{!}} Film Music Reporter |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/07/17/james-newton-howard-to-score-francis-lawrences-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes/ |access-date=September 21, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014175125/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2022/07/17/james-newton-howard-to-score-francis-lawrences-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes/ |url-status=live}} Howard's score was released on November 17, 2023, by Sony Classical Records.{{Cite web |last= |date=November 7, 2023 |title=First Track from James Newton Howard's The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Score Released |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2023/11/07/first-track-from-james-newton-howards-the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-score-released/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109112357/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2023/11/07/first-track-from-james-newton-howards-the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-score-released/ |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |access-date=November 11, 2023 |website=Film Music Reporter}}
Marketing
On October 30, 2023, the film was given an interim agreement so that actors could promote it during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, since Lionsgate is not part of the AMPTP.{{Cite web |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |date=October 30, 2023 |title='Hunger Games' Prequel Nabs SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hunger-games-prequel-sag-aftra-interim-agreement-1235632637/ |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207113428/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hunger-games-prequel-sag-aftra-interim-agreement-1235632637/ |url-status=live}}
Release
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes had its European premiere in Berlin, Germany on November 5, 2023, its world premiere at the BFI IMAX in London on November 9, 2023,{{Cite web |last1=Bamigboye |first1=Baz |last2=Tartaglione |first2=Nancy |date=November 9, 2023 |title='The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes' World Premieres As Team Optimistic For More Sequels |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-world-premiere-1235598133/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109225224/https://deadline.com/2023/11/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-world-premiere-1235598133/ |url-status=live}} and was released on November 16, in Europe{{Cite web |last=Coletti |first=Caio |date=November 13, 2023 |title=Novo Jogos Vorazes tem Capital bem diferente: "É como a Berlim pós-2ª Guerra" |url=https://www.omelete.com.br/jogos-vorazes-hunger-games/a-cantiga-dos-passaros-e-das-serpentes-entrevista-capital |access-date=November 17, 2023 |website=Omelete |language=pt-br |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117005749/https://www.omelete.com.br/jogos-vorazes-hunger-games/a-cantiga-dos-passaros-e-das-serpentes-entrevista-capital |url-status=live}} and November 17, 2023, by Lionsgate Films.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=April 28, 2022 |title='Hunger Games' Prequel 'The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes' Gets 2023 Release Date – CinemaCon |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/hunger-games-prequel-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-theatrical-release-1235012382/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625132146/https://deadline.com/2022/04/hunger-games-prequel-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-theatrical-release-1235012382/ |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |access-date=May 18, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}
=Home media=
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was released on digital and VOD on December 19, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.whentostream.com/news/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-amp-snakes-digital-streaming-date-revealed|title=The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Digital Streaming Date Revealed|work=When to Stream|date=December 8, 2023|access-date=December 8, 2023|archive-date=December 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208174925/https://www.whentostream.com/news/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-amp-snakes-digital-streaming-date-revealed|url-status=live}} The film was released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD on February 13, 2024, by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.{{cite news|last1=Dela Paz|first1=Maggie|title=The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes 4K, Blu-ray & DVD Release Date Set|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1466154-the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-snakes-4k-blu-ray-dvd-release-date-set|access-date=January 3, 2024|work=ComingSoon.net|date=January 2, 2024|archive-date=January 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103011753/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1466154-the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-snakes-4k-blu-ray-dvd-release-date-set|url-status=live}}
Reception
= Box office =
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes grossed $166.4 million in the United States and Canada, and $182.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $349 million.
In the United States and Canada, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was released alongside Next Goal Wins, Trolls Band Together, and Thanksgiving, and was projected to gross around $50 million from 3,776 theaters in its opening weekend, with some industry estimates going as low as $45 million or as high as $60 million.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=November 15, 2023 |title='Hunger Games: Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes' Looks To Sing $100M+ Worldwide Opening – Preview |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/hunger-games-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-box-office-opening-1235612652/ |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207113433/https://deadline.com/2023/11/hunger-games-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-box-office-opening-1235612652/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=November 15, 2023 |title=Box Office: 'Hunger Games' Prequel 'Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' Targets $50 Million Debut |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/box-office-hunger-games-prequel-box-office-estimates-1235790861/ |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Variety |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115180631/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/box-office-hunger-games-prequel-box-office-estimates-1235790861/ |url-status=live}} The film made $19.1 million on its first day, $5.75 million from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $44 million, topping the box office but marking the lowest start of the franchise.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=November 19, 2023 |title='The Hunger Games: Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes' Chirps $44M Opening: Enough To Reignite Franchise?; 'Marvels' Suffers Worst MCU 2nd Weekend Drop – Sunday Box Office Update |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/box-office-hunger-games-songbirds-and-snakes-1235616095/ |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119002355/https://deadline.com/2023/11/box-office-hunger-games-songbirds-and-snakes-1235616095/ |url-status=live}} The film made $29 million in its second weekend (a drop of 35%, the smallest of both the franchise and of any blockbuster in 2023), remaining in first through the five-day Thanksgiving frame.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=November 26, 2023 |title='Songbirds & Snakes' Reigns Supreme Over Thanksgiving Stretch With $42M 5-day; 'Napoleon' Steps On Disney's 'Wish' With $32M+ — Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/box-office-wish-napoleon-thanksgiving-1235634036/ |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US |archive-date=November 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126003448/https://deadline.com/2023/11/box-office-wish-napoleon-thanksgiving-1235634036/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/box-office-disney-wish-disappoints-napoleon-beats-expectations-1235808957/|title=Box Office: Disney's 'Wish' Fizzles, 'Napoleon' Beats Expectations as 'Hunger Games' Lands on Top Again|date=November 26, 2023|publisher=Variety|access-date=November 26, 2023|archive-date=November 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127114002/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/box-office-disney-wish-disappoints-napoleon-beats-expectations-1235808957/|url-status=live}} The film finished in second place each of subsequent three weeks, with grosses of $14.5 million (finishing behind newcomer Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé),{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/box-office-renaissance-a-film-by-beyonce-godzilla-minus-one-hunger-games-1235647651/|title='Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé' $22M Opening Irreplaceable For Sleepy Early December Weekend; Fuels $95M+ Frame Best Post 2018 – Update|date=December 3, 2023|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 3, 2023|archive-date=December 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202172438/https://deadline.com/2023/12/box-office-renaissance-a-film-by-beyonce-godzilla-minus-one-hunger-games-1235647651/|url-status=live}} $9.4 million (behind newcomer The Boy and the Heron),{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=2023-12-10 |title=Box Office: Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron' Opens to Record-Breaking $12.8 Million, Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' Stumbles in Second Weekend |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/box-office-hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-beyonce-renaissance-poor-things-1235832406/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210163539/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/box-office-hayao-miyazaki-the-boy-and-the-heron-beyonce-renaissance-poor-things-1235832406/ |url-status=live}} and $5.8 million (behind newcomer Wonka).{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=December 16, 2023 |title='Wonka' Opening Getting Sweeter With $37M-$38M – Saturday Box Office Update |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/box-office-wonka-1235669099/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217043535/https://deadline.com/2023/12/box-office-wonka-1235669099/ |url-status=live}} In its sixth weekend the film made $3.5 million, and a total of $5.4 million over the four-day Christmas frame, finishing in seventh.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=December 24, 2023 |title=Christmas Box Office Slows Down: 'Aquaman 2' $38M-$39M, 'Wonka' $26M, 'Migration' $17M & More – Sunday Update |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/box-office-aquaman-and-the-lost-kingdom-migration-color-purple-1235680766/ |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US |archive-date=December 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225224945/https://deadline.com/2023/12/box-office-aquaman-and-the-lost-kingdom-migration-color-purple-1235680766/ |url-status=live}}
= Critical response =
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|64|6.4|238|consensus=An outstanding cast and exciting story help make The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes a worthy return to Panem in spite of a rushed and somewhat frustrating ending.|access-date=June 26, 2024|ref=y}} {{Metacritic film prose|54|53|ref=yes|access-date=November 25, 2023}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, the lowest of the franchise, while those polled by PostTrak gave it an 87% overall positive score, with 70% saying they would definitely recommend the film.
Zoe Guy of Vulture reported that "some critics view the 158-minute spectacle as an overwrought snoozefest, while others argue that Ballad is the most satisfying entry in the entire franchise".{{Cite web |last=Guy |first=Zoe |date=November 10, 2023 |title=Does The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Sing? |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/11/hunger-games-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-review-roundup.html |access-date=November 10, 2023 |website=Vulture |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110200207/https://www.vulture.com/2023/11/hunger-games-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-review-roundup.html |url-status=live}} NME{{'}}s Alex Berry meanwhile characterised the initial critical response as "largely negative", noting that "the film has been criticised as lacking in the excitement and drama promised by the trailer, and not living up to the expectation following the first films".{{Cite web |last=Berry |first=Alex |date=November 10, 2023 |title='The Hunger Games' prequel is getting slated by critics as "strenuously uninteresting" |url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/the-hunger-games-prequel-slated-critics-3535985 |access-date=November 10, 2023 |website=NME |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110140051/https://www.nme.com/news/film/the-hunger-games-prequel-slated-critics-3535985 |url-status=live}}
Writing for IndieWire, David Ehrlich named the film both the best young adult dystopian film and "by far" the strongest installment in The Hunger Games film series, describing it as "the rare prequel that manages to stand on its own two feet and still feel taller than the other stories it's ultimately meant to support".{{Cite web |last=Ehrlich |first=David |date=November 9, 2023 |title='The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' Review: The Rare Hollywood Prequel That Towers Over the Rest of Its Franchise |url=https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/hunger-games-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-movie-review-1234923868/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |website=IndieWire |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109192510/https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/hunger-games-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-movie-review-1234923868/ |url-status=live}} RogerEbert.com{{'}}s Christy Lemire complimented the "subtlety of this supervillain origin story" and described Blyth's performance as Coriolanus Snow as "a star-making performance".{{Cite web |last=Lemire |first=Christy |author-link=Christy Lemire |date=November 16, 2023 |title=The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes movie review (2023) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-movie-review-2023 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=RogerEbert.com |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124004351/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-movie-review-2023 |url-status=live}} Brian Truitt of USA Today praised it as "an enticing blend of dystopian action epic and musical drama that surpasses the previous films".{{Cite web |last=Truitt |first=Brian |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Review: 'Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' is the best 'Hunger Games' movie of them all |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/11/09/ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-movie-review/71500864007/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |website=USA Today |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109195308/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/11/09/ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-movie-review/71500864007/ |url-status=live}} In a negative review for The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw wrote that "the interest, dramatic momentum and energy" of the franchise "have frankly expired", concluding that "this movie finally ties itself into various knots to prefigure the later world of Katniss, but the time to end the Games came long ago".{{Cite web |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Bradshaw |date=November 9, 2023 |title=The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes review – back to an empty future |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/nov/09/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-review-back-to-an-empty-future |access-date=November 9, 2023 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109193153/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/nov/09/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-review-back-to-an-empty-future |url-status=live}} Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent criticized the film for "[squandering] the anger of novelist Suzanne Collins's source material" and "[diluting] its biggest villain", further deriding Snow's characterization as a "yassification of a future monster".{{Cite web |last=Loughrey |first=Clarisse |date=November 9, 2023 |title=The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes review – A limp prequel that dilutes its biggest villain |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/hunger-games-review-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-b2444623.html |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=The Independent |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124004410/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/hunger-games-review-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-b2444623.html |url-status=live}}
= Accolades =
Sequel
In June 2024, after another prequel novel was announced, Lionsgate officially confirmed plans for a film adaptation. Francis Lawrence entered early negotiations to direct the film. The plot will take place forty years after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games; and will depict Panem and its 2nd Quarter Quell. The film is scheduled for release on November 20, 2026.{{Cite web |date=June 6, 2024 |title=A new 'Hunger Games' book — and movie — is coming |url=https://apnews.com/article/hunger-games-suzanne-collins-sunrise-reaping-b30163b4707f4db55eb68513f197affc |access-date=June 6, 2024 |website=AP News}}{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=June 6, 2024 |title='The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping': Lionsgate Sets Fall 2026 Release For New Prequel, Director Francis Lawrence In Talks To Return |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/hunger-games-runrise-on-the-reaping-theatrical-release-date-1235960640/ |access-date=June 6, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}
See also
- "Lucy Gray" 1799 poem by William Wordsworth, after which Lucy Gray Baird is named.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.hungergames.movie}}
- {{IMDb title|10545296}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Hunger Games}}
{{Francis Lawrence}}
{{Michael Arndt}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|2020s|Film|United States|Science fiction}}
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