Every month, Watch With Us recommends an underrated or timely movie for you to check out on HBO Max. Today, we’re taking a trip back in time and suggesting you revisit a major hit.
The Hunger Games was recently added to the Warner Bros. Discovery platform, and since author Suzanne Collins’ newest prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, has been dropping casting announcements left and right, it’s the perfect time to revisit the movie that started it all. Here’s why you should watch The Hunger Games in June 2025.
The Story Is Shocking and Captivating
If you’re somehow not familiar with the Hunger Games franchise, here’s what you need to know. The series takes place in the futuristic nation of Panem — heavily implied to be the remnants of a post-apocalyptic United States — where the wealthy Capitol rules over the impoverished districts. As punishment for a rebellion decades ago, each district must send two “tributes” between the ages of 12 and 18 to fight to the death in an arena for the Capitol’s entertainment.
When her beloved younger sister is selected as a tribute, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers to go in her place, sparking a flame of rebellion that will change Panem forever. Lawrence is excellent in her role as Katniss, radiating quiet anger and genuine fear as she faces the terrifying games alongside her fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson).
‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Speaks Directly to the Original ‘Hunger Games’
If you’ve already read Sunrise on the Reaping, which tells the story of young Haymitch Abernathy the year he won the Hunger Games, you’ll see the adult version of Haymitch (played by Woody Harrelson) from a whole new perspective. His backstory adds meaningful context to his behavior in The Hunger Games.
If you’re waiting to see Sunrise on the Reaping in theaters instead of reading the book, now is a great time to re-familiarize yourself with Haymitch as we know him in the original movie. Several other characters from the original trilogy (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay) appear in Sunrise as well, so it’s not a bad idea to refresh your memory of characters like Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) and President Snow (Donald Sutherland). When you do see or read Sunrise, you’ll pick up on foreshadowing in the prequel.
Sunrise and The Hunger Games are in more direct conversation with each other than was the case with Collins’ first prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which introduced mostly new characters apart from a young Coriolanus Snow.
The Story Hits Differently for Adult Viewers
When The Hunger Games premiered in 2012, it was aimed mostly at teenagers and young adults. If you were part of that target audience, you’re now a grown-up with a different perspective on oppressive governments, social inequality and human nature.
As a teen, you may have watched The Hunger Games and wanted to be like Katniss — firing a bow and arrow and pulling off daring deeds. But while Katniss remains an admirable heroine, watching her struggle feels different as an adult. It sinks in how young she and the other tributes are — and how disturbing the premise really is.
Collins is extremely gifted at showing the insidious nature of propaganda and its role in mass oppression. What once felt like impossible, dystopian fiction now resonates with a deeper emotional impact, especially for older viewers. The Hunger Games may have been marketed to teens, but its themes are timeless — and disturbingly relevant.
Watch The Hunger Games (and its sequels) now on HBO Max.
