If you are in the mood to watch action-packed films, with a high survival stake and dystopian drama then you are most likely seeking for movies like Hunger Games.
The Hunger Games franchise was able to draw in audiences with its combination of rebellion, strategy, and raw human emotions, in a cruel future. Fortunately, it is not the only such film.
There is a whole universe of movies that share the electrifying spirit of The Hunger Games. Where the underdogs triumph, civilizations fall, and men are made heroes in the flames.
In this article, we explore a handpicked list of 12 movies similar to The Hunger Games that will keep you at the edge of your seat wanting more!
What genre is Hunger Games?
The Hunger Games presents an exciting blend of distinct and well-defined genres, making its story rich and multi-layered. The series mostly falls under.
- Dystopian fiction. The Hunger Games introduced a dystopian future, where the Capitol enforces its tyrannical rule over the districts with the help of the televised death matches.
- Science fiction. The film has some futuristic elements. The use of technology is mainly seen in the Capitols advancements, the design of the arena and the weapons used.
- Action-adventure. Ever since Katniss volunteers to take part in the Games, the narrative is filled with high-stakes survival situations, and brutal combat.
- Coming-of-age. Over the course of the series, we see Katniss Everdeen changing drastically. She starts as a shy but skilled hunter and develops into a beacon of defiance.
It is this mix of genres that makes The Hunger Games so irresistible. It is why people want to find other movies like Hunger Games that have the same thematic richness and exciting plots.
Is Hunger Games appropriate for kids?
The Hunger Games has a PG-13 rating. It means that it is deemed appropriate for teens, in general. But not younger kids.
The series features a lot of violence and death, as it sets in a survival game. It displays teens being made to kill each other, as entertainment to a totalitarian regime.
The film also deals with quite heavy topics such as rebellion, trauma, and societal control, which can be emotionally disturbing to younger viewers.
Whereas adolescents are old enough to perceive and interpret the narrative. Younger kids may either find it overwhelming or not comprehend it.
Parents use the movie as a springboard for dialogue about issues such as injustice, courage, and the value of human life.
Use parental controls to better manager the viewing experience
12 movies like Hunger Games
In case you are done exploring the districts of Panem and are craving more exciting stories about survival, uprising, and struggle, you are in luck.
There are a number of films similar to Hunger Games that exist which combine elements of survival drama, dystopian worlds, and gripping action.
Here are 12 movie selections that share the riveting tone and themes of The Hunger Games.
Divergent (2014)
In a dystopian future Chicago, people are separated into five factions depending on their personality traits. However, Tris Prior finds out that she is Divergent, a person who does not fit any category.
When she discovers a plot to annihilate all the Divergents, she has to use her special talents to prevent the breakdown of her society.
This movie is essentially the sister film of Hunger Games. They both feature a female lead character exploring a dystopian universe that thrives on social systems of oppression.
The Maze Runner (2014)
Thomas awakens in an unknown elevator, and finds himself in the Glade. This is a place where a community of teenage boys are stuck in a constantly changing maze.
So as to get out, he and the other teenage boys have to solve the deadly puzzles of the maze as they discover the dark secret of why they have been imprisoned there.
The survival aspect and the group dynamics of this film are perfect reflections of Hunger Games. The difference is that these teens are not fighting one another, they are united against the outside forces.
Age Rating. PG-13
Battle Royale (2000)
- Age Rating: R
Set in near-future Japan, a group of ninth-graders is abducted and made to kill each other on a deserted island until there is only one left standing.
Equipped with random weapons and explosive collars, ex-classmates are forced to fight against each other in this cruel governmental project.
The thriller is basically the R-rated grandfather of the Hunger Games as they have the same basic premise of teens being pitted against each other.
Lord of the Flies (1963)
- Age Rating: Not Rated (equivalent to PG-13)
This is a story of a group of British schoolboys who are stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes. Consequently, the boys decided to form their own society in the island.
With time, however, their civilization soon devolved into barbarism and inter-tribe warfare due to fear and power struggles that took hold of the group.
The boys had to deal with moral issues regarding violence and how far they were willing to go in order to survive. This is similar to the tributes in the arena of the Hunger Games.
Snowpiercer (2013)
- Age Rating: R
The story takes place in a frozen post-apocalyptic world. Here, the remaining fragments of humanity, inhabited a giant train, which moved around the world.
When the poor passengers in the tail section rebel against the rich front-car elite, a savage class war breaks out.
The dystopian thriller film, also explores similar themes to Hunger Games, such as the extreme wealth disparity and revolutionary rebellion.
The Tournament (2009)
- Age Rating: R
Once every seven years, the most deadly assassins in the world are invited to an unpredictable city. The goal is to participate in a secret tournament, and the sole survivor gets a huge sum of money.
However, after an innocent priest is caught in the line of fire, he has to find a way to make it through the urban warzone.
The movie emphasizes on survival strategies and the mental strain of having to kill others, which is reminiscent of Hunger Games’ competition format.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
- Age Rating: PG-13
Harry is mysteriously enrolled to the Triwizard Tournament, where he must compete against wizards who are more experienced than him in three tasks that are fatal.
As he makes his way through the competition, deeper shadows conspire behind the scenes to bring him down.
Although, it is not a dystopian movie, the tournament format of this movie generates the same tension as the Hunger Games arena.
Guns Akimbo (2020)
- Age Rating: R
Miles, an internet troll and video game developer, is blackmailed into competing in a real-life death match known as Skizm.
He has to survive against Nix, a psychotic murderer, and the whole event is broadcast live to viewers around the world.
The idea of people being forced to fight on television as a form of public entertainment is comparable to the Hunger Games as used by the Capitol.
The 5th Wave (2016)
- Age Rating: PG-13
Four waves of alien attacks had already exterminated most of the population. Teenager Cassie Sullivan now has to struggle to stay alive and save her little brother out of a military compound.
When she learns that the fifth wave would be the invasion of the aliens who are masquerading as human beings, trusting others becomes hard.
Like in Hunger Games, both shows have teenage characters, set in a post-apocalyptic world. In the movies, strong forces tend to manipulate and direct the survivors.
Ready Player One (2018)
- Age Rating. PG-13
The action takes place in the year 2045 when humans use the OASIS, a virtual universe, to escape their dystopian reality.
However, the creator of OASIS died and left a trail of challenges to locate his hidden Easter egg. Wade Watts enters the race which would define the future of the virtual and real world.
Both films feature young heroes who rebel against the corrupt system in a world where entertainment and competition are methods of control.
Love and Monsters (2020)
- Age Rating. PG-13
Seven years after a monster apocalypse that pushed humanity below ground, Joel chooses to go above ground to meet with his girlfriend.
With limited survival skills, he has to find his way in a world inhabited by giant mutated creatures and learn to be courageous.
The idea of the character developing through the challenges and ability to find the light in hopeless situations make the film a fitting substitute to the Hunger Games.
Death Race (2008)
- Age Rating. R
In a prison system of the future, convicts are pitted against each other in a three-day deadly car race. The goal here is to earn their freedom by surviving and killing their rivals.
When former NASCAR driver Jensen Ames is set up to take a fall in a murder case, he has no choice but to enter this televised bloodsport.
Similar to Hunger Games, both movies touch upon the topic of systemic oppression. They show how desperate individuals are used by the authorities as entertainment.
Parental tips when teens watch movies like Hunger Games
Dystopian movies, such as The Hunger Games, may be exciting to watch for teens.
However, they usually are filled with a lot of violent scenes, and heavy subject matter, which may make them unfit for kids.
Luckily, there are ways through which parents can help make their children’s viewing safe and meaningful. Here are some of these methods.
Streaming platform controls
Major streaming services understand that families should have flexibility in content management.
Services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and Disney+ have detailed profile-based parental controls that enable you to.
1. Select maturity ratings on individual profiles of family members, so that content suggestions are age appropriate
2. Block those titles which you think are not good for your teen.
3. Check the watch history to keep track of what your teenager is watching
4. Restrict content by genre to restrict access to especially extreme dystopian or violent movies
These embedded controls offer a layer of protection while still leaving some freedom of choice to the teens on what they wish to view.
Third-party parental controls
For more thorough monitoring and control, you may want to use a specialized parental control software such as FlashGet Kids.
FlashGet Kids extends on simple streaming controls to offer a comprehensive digital wellness toolkit that families can use to manage the complicated environment of teen media use.
The app offers several important features that allow parents to control the media their teen is exposed to. These include.
1. Screen Time. Enables parents to impose daily or weekly time restrictions. This is to help their children strike a balance between watching movies such as Hunger Games and other activities.
2. Screen Mirroring. Parents will be able to see what is on the screen of their teen in real-time. This will enable them make sure that they are watching what is approved.
3. App Notifications. You get notifications from FlashGet Kids of suspicious activity or when someone tries to open blocked apps. Parents are kept up to date of their children’s watching patterns.
4. Daily Usage. Lets parent monitor app usage and viewing history for them to understand their kid’s online habits and whether there is any exposure to mature content.
FlashGet Kids offers layer of extensive control, supplementing built-in platform protections to make the digital environment safer.
Discuss themes of violence, oppression, and resilience
Films such as Hunger Games provide a good source of material that families can use to discuss critical issues in the society and politics.
Instead of shying away such conversations, you should use them to.
1. Handle Violence With Care. Explain to your teen how movies such as The Hunger Games employ violence to criticize contemporary issues instead of praising brutality.
2. Learn Historical Parallels. Explain why dystopian fiction is based on real historical events and current social issues. Talk sensibly about the power of the government, media manipulation, and social inequality.
3. Celebrate Resilience. Pay attention to the affirmative messages that promote doing the right thing, defending the vulnerable, and having hope even in bad situations.
4. Work Through Emotional Reactions. Since these movies may be emotionally charged, allow your teenager to share their emotions and misgivings regarding the materials with you.
Through these conversations, you can help your children feel supported and enabled to interpret the complicated themes in the show in healthy manners.
Check age ratings and viewer guidance tools
Most platforms also provide “viewer guidance” or “content advisories”. These help in breaking down aspects in the film like “fantasy violence,” “thematic elements,” or “intense sequences.”
Never ignore age ratings (e.g PG-13, R, etc.) assigned by rating boards. They may help you get a more detailed idea about the contents of the film.
Conclusion
Such movies like The Hunger Games are extremely engaging. They combine elements of a harsh survival test with strong messages of oppression, revolt, and resistance.
Be it action, suspense or character emotionalism, these films remain inspiring and thought-provoking especially on matters of power, freedom and human survival.
With careful parental guidance and considerate movie watching decisions, these films can become the starting point of valuable discussions. As well as provide the heart-pounding fun that Katniss Everdeen’s tale provided.
