With the upcoming The Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, you might contemplate revisiting the original films. Well, why not do it in a movie theater like it’s 2012? Get ready to return to the fascist state of Panem, and participate in the lethal tournament known as the Hunger Games. Fathom Events and Lionsgate Films are bringing The Hunger Games, starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, back to theaters. It will play for a special two-night engagement on Sunday, October 15, and Wednesday, October 18.
Lionsgate’s Kevin Grayson said the following in a statement. “There’s no better way to whet the appetite for The Hunger Games prequel than with the original Hunger Games. We’re thrilled to be teaming with Fathom Events to give fans the opportunity to see The Hunger Games in theaters once again.”
Based on the novels by Suzanne Collins, Scholastic published The Hunger Games trilogy from 2008 to 2010. The series sold some 26 million copies. They became one of this century’s biggest publishing hits, right up there with Twilight. When the first film came out in 2012, it was an overnight sensation and led to three more films. The final book in the trilogy, Mockingjay, was split into two movies. Collectively, the films grossed over $2.9 billion, making it one of the biggest global film franchises of all time. A cinematic return was inevitable.
In 2020, Collins published a new Hunger Games prequel novel set 64 years before Katniss’ story. With The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, fans knew a film returning to Panem was not far behind. And now it’s finally here. The new film follows a young Coriolanus Snow, played by Tom Blyth. It explores his relationship with a tribute from Katniss Everdeen’s future home of District 12, played by Rachel Zegler. Watching the original film theatrically might be the best way to reacquaint yourself with Collin’s dystopian world before seeing the prequel.