The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games Image
See the trailer
Metascore
67 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 846 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
  • Summary: Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. (Lionsgate)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 44
  3. Negative: 2 out of 44
  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Joe Neumaier
    Mar 20, 2012
    100
    As tough-spirited as fans would hope for - and exciting and thought-provoking in a way few adventure dramas ever are.
  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Manohla Dargis
    Mar 22, 2012
    60
    Again and again Katniss rescues herself with resourcefulness, guts and true aim, a combination that makes her insistently watchable, despite Mr. Ross's soft touch and Ms. Lawrence's bland performance.
  3. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: David Denby
    Mar 26, 2012
    30
    The result is an evasive, baffling, unexciting production - anything but a classic.

See all 44 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 243 out of 331
  2. Mixed: 46 out of 331
  3. Negative: 42 out of 331
  1. TheMovieCritic
    7
    Based on the book by Suzanne Collins, the hunger games movie is a good tribute that will probably leave fans delighted. Though not as exciting as the book, it is still worth seeing.… Expand
  2. Dodger
    5
    This was a very average movie. Too much drawn out story and not enough action. I also kept comparing it in my head to battle royale which made it seem even worse despite the age of battle royale. I was also left in no state of worry for the main character who i didn't care about and i never felt she was in any danger.… Expand
  3. saulot
    3
    This is a movie about a brutal gladator like event for people who don't like violence and like sparkly vampires. This is book i simply a short story called "the lottery" merged with a far supiorior Movie called battle royale. The lead actor "whos a hunter" does inane things like sit in a sunny clearing and run around in a blue blazer in the forest while shes supposed to be in a life and death game. Totally unrealistic and the combat was poor.… Expand

See all 331 User Reviews

Trailers

Related Articles

  1. 2012 Preview, Movies

    2012 Movie Preview: Our 50 Most-Anticipated Films

    2012 Movie Preview: Our 50 Most-Anticipated Films Image
    Published: January 12, 2012
    Another humdrum year for movies? Forget it; 2012 is shaping up to be the best year for film in over a decade. Inside, we run down 50 of the most promising movies due to arrive this year, and we guarantee that you'll find something to get excited about.
    More »