Here are 13 movies like Hunger Games, from The Maze Runner Series (2014-2018) to Battle Royale (2000).
The Hunger Games is a unique example where the movie adaptation successfully captures the spirit of the original books. Suzanne Collins’ popular novel series was loved by readers worldwide, mainly young adults. The story is set in a future world devastated by dystopia. Each year, two young representatives are chosen from each district randomly to participate in The Hunger Games. In this competition, the participants fight to the death.
Although there were rumours that Suzanne Collins took inspiration from the Japanese novel Battle Royale for The Hunger Games, the author claims that she had already completed a draft before becoming aware of the novel.
It is important to note that Battle Royale was one of many stories to explore these themes. The concept of humans hunting other humans in a controlled setting was first defined in the 1932 American film The Most Dangerous Game. Another well-known example is William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies.
These stories about violent societies involving humans usually use this scenario to show the behaviour of today’s youth and the growing social standards.
In Suzanne Collins’s Hunger Games, you will find social themes and an investigation of human emotions through memorable characters. The story mainly follows the experiences of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen. This action-packed dystopian series has gained huge credit for its powerful themes and messages.
Jennifer Lawrence’s portrayal of Katniss Everdeen received general credit from critics and viewers. It has become one of the most successful franchises ever, catching the hearts of dedicated fans worldwide.
If you are a fan of The Hunger Games and enjoyed it, here are some other movies like Hunger Games that you will definitely like:
Dystopian Thriller Movies Like Hunger Games
1. Lord of the Flies (1963)
The movie Lord of the Flies (1963), directed by Peter Brook, is based on William Golding’s famous novel from 1954 with the same name. This novel has had a influence on other works, like Battle Royale by Koushun Takami and Suzanne Collins’s Hunger Games series, when it comes to themes of survival and dystopian societies.
The story follows a group of boys from an English public school who experience a plane crash and find themselves stranded on a remote tropical island. No people are left alive, so it is up to the boys to work together as a community to survive until they are rescued.
As the boys in Lord of the Flies find themselves left on the island, they naturally decide to choose a leader and establish rules to keep things organized. However, as time goes on, conflicts occur within their new society.
The story of Lord of the Flies portrays a nightmarish journey into the group’s decline in an expressive way. On the other hand, Hunger Games takes a different direction by focusing on world-building and skillfully expanding upon the themes introduced by William Golding in his novel.
2. Logan’s Run (1976)
Logan’s Run (1976), directed by Michael Anderson, is a movie adaptation of the dystopian sci-fi novel of the same name by Clayton Jacobson and William Nolan. Although it may have aged badly over time, it is a rich, effective, and enjoyable film in its genre. The story takes place in 2274 when humanity lives in a technologically advanced and enclosed city.
In this city, people are only allowed to live for pleasure and are required to die at the age of 30. Those who refuse to follow this rule in an environmentally balanced society are known as “Runners.” A particular group of soldiers called Sandmen are tasked with tracking down these runners.
Movies like Hunger Games, Logan’s Run also places young adults in difficult situations. In fact, in the novel, citizens older than 21 face a death sentence.
3. The Truman Show (1998)
The Truman Show (1998) is a timeless masterpiece that shows exceptional and unique storytelling on the big screen. The story revolves around the charismatic Truman Burbank, who has lived in the idyllic town of Sea Haven. Little does he know that his entire presence is being broadcasted as a huge reality TV show. His surroundings are carefully created, and all the people in his life are actually actors who are paid to play specific roles.
Growing up on this incredibly unique concept, writer Andrew Niccol and director Peter Weir bring us into unfamiliar territory. The story keeps you on your toes, as you never quite know what will happen next. Jim Carrey delivers a brilliant performance as Truman, portraying his fears, desires, and unique personality. Ed Harris is equally impressive in his role as the secluded creator of the TV show.
The cinematography is exceptional and adds a touch of reality TV vibes to the film. The Truman Show examines our constant urge to fit in with society while also raising thought-provoking ethical questions.
4. Battle Royale (2000)
Battle Royale (2000) is a thrilling action movie that was adapted from a Japanese novel written by Koushun Takami. This film served as the foundation for the popular battle royale video game genre that came afterwards. The story revolves around a group of ninth-grade students who find themselves stranded on a distant island.
They are equipped with maps and various weapons and are given a chilling order: they must fight each other for three days until only one student remains alive. To ensure their movements are followed, they are required to wear metal collars with radar at all times.
Considered as one of the greatest movies of the 2000s, Battle Royale received huge praise from critics when it was first released. It also achieved great commercial success as one of the highest-grossing Japanese language films.
As time went on, it developed a loyal fan base and became a cultural phenomenon in its own right. The film served as an inspiration for various other forms of media, like movies, books, comics, and video games.
5. Hanna (2011)
In the movie, Hanna (2011), director Joe Wright presents a fresh and unique approach to the revenge thriller genre. The main character, played by Saoirse Ronan, portrays a young girl who has been trained as an assassin by her father, a former CIA agent. Having spent her entire life isolated from her father, she has only hazy memories of her mother.
Cate Blanchett portrays a senior agent assigned with the mission of eliminating Hanna and her father. The question arises: Can this 16-year-old girl gather the courage to stand up against the experienced agent and ensure her safety and, most importantly, her father?
Hanna is a movie that showcases beautifully staged action scenes and outstanding performances by the main actors. Saoirse Ronan shines in her role as Hanna, portraying a character who displays both bravery and vulnerability. We witness the world through her perspective as she tries to make sense of the unfamiliar outside world.
Cate Blanchett, Tom Hollander, and Eric Bana also deliver impressive performances. Director Joe Wright deserves credit for skillfully blending a heartfelt coming-of-age story with thrilling action.
6. Riddick (2013)
In Riddick (2013), the third popular Riddick book series, we delve into the story of a highly skilled mercenary known for his lethal ways. After being betrayed by his leader, he finds himself stranded on a scorching planet, fighting to survive against deadly alien predators.
The only hope for escape is to activate an emergency signal, but doing so would alert a group of assassins who are determined to capture him. Led by a mysterious figure from Riddick’s past, this ruthless team will only leave the planet with Riddick’s head as their prize. With time running out and danger closing in, can Riddick find a way to stay alive and make his escape?
Although Riddick doesn’t contribute much to the personal story of the franchise, it is still a fairly enjoyable sequel that remains faithful to the essence of the previous movies. Vin Diesel and writer-director David Twohy have confirmed that a sequel called Furya is supposedly being worked on and developed.
7. Ender’s Game (2013)
Ender’s Game (2013) is based on a book written by Orson Scott Card 1985 with the same name. The story takes place in a different future where Earth has suffered from an attack by an advanced alien species called the Formics. Many years later, Earth’s inhabitants decided to establish a military organization capable of defending against such threatening forces.
Andrew Wiggins, the main character, joins this military training program. He is separated from his beloved sister and brought to battle school in space orbiting Earth. Will he be able to train himself to become a skilled fighter and protect his family and the planet from impending danger?
Ender’s Game provides visuals that give us a peek into what life in space could be like. However, at certain times, it needs more depth in its tone and character development. It quickly moves through important moments and leaves out details from the original book.
While it may not faithfully follow the source material, it still delivers an exciting and action-packed adventure that will likely please most fans of the novel.
8. The Divergent Series (2014-2016)
The Divergent Series (2014-2016) is a collection of three movies based on popular young adult novels written by Veronica Roth. The movies include Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant. They take place in a society that has been hit by dystopia, where people are divided into factions based on their personality traits and virtues.
These factions are called Dauntless, Erudite, Candor, Abnegation, and Amity. The story focuses on a character named Tris Prior, who discovers that she is different from others and doesn’t fit into any specific faction. She becomes involved in a plot by a leader from the Erudite faction to eliminate all those who are different, known as Divergent.
Tris manages to escape and joins forces with a mysterious people named Four to uncover why Divergents are seen as a threat.
Throughout the journey, Tris will be tested to her maximum capacity as she faces difficult challenges one after another. The destiny of the entire world relies on her decisions and actions. She must make quick choices about whom she can rely on as she finds herself in a dangerous battle that goes beyond the borders of Chicago.
9. The Maze Runner Series (2014-2018)
The Maze Runner Series (2014-2018) is a set of science fiction dystopian movies that are adapted from a book series written by James Dashner. The first film, The Maze Runner, introduces us to the main character named Thomas.
He wakes up in a maze alongside a group of other boys, with no memory of his past life. Thomas often has dreams about a dangerous organization called the World Catastrophe Killzone Department. He discovers a escape route from the maze by gathering clues from his fragmented memories.
In The Scorch Trials, the second film in The Maze Runner Series, the story continues from where the previous movie left off. Thomas and his friends are on a mission to find answers about the enigmatic organization that haunts Thomas in his dreams.
Along the way, they join forces with a group of resistance fighters to unravel the hidden agendas of WCKD (World Catastrophe Killzone Department). Together, they strive to expose the secrets kept by this organization.
In The Death Cure, the third film in The Maze Runner Series, Thomas faces a perilous task. He needs to undertake a risky mission to enter the fabled Last City and save his friends. The answers to his lingering questions since his arrival in the maze are believed to be found there.
Thomas and his group of Gladers must navigate through this abandoned city and face numerous challenges. The ultimate question is whether they will be able to survive this dangerous journey and make it out alive.
10. Tomorrowland (2015)
In a time when many movies show a gloomy future, Tomorrowland stands out as a cheerful and nostalgic science fiction film suitable for the entire family. Drawing loose inspiration from the Disney theme park attraction with the same name, Tomorrowland takes us back to the optimistic and exciting adventures of the late 1980s.
Casey Newton is a smart student in high school, and unlike many others, she has a positive view on people. One day, she stumbles upon a mysterious pin that gives her glimpses of a joyful and exciting world. With the assistance of a disillusioned inventor, Casey embarks on a mission to find out where this futuristic city is located and unravel its secrets.
Tomorrowland is a movie that stands out because it’s directed with a hopeful and positive mindset, which is not very common in today’s films. It also benefits from a fantastic trio of actors, including Clooney, Cassidy, and Robertson.
Their performances are wonderful, and their natural connection on screen creates some truly memorable scenes. Although the storytelling may have some ups and downs, the film still manages to achieve its goal of portraying a world full of boundless and capturing that feeling of limitless possibilities.
11. Mortal Engines (2018)
Based on a young adult novel, Mortal Engines takes place in a world after a catastrophic event. This world is unique because cities are mobile and move on wheels. They follow a philosophy called Municipal Darwinism, where bigger cities can prey on and absorb smaller ones.
However, some people oppose this system and have formed their own settled civilizations in Asia. During political unrest, two strangers must join forces to uncover a huge conspiracy that risks everything they care about.
Mortal Engines received praise for its stunning visual effects and thrilling action scenes. However, fans of the original novel were disappointed with the changes made to the story. The characters lacked depth, and the relationship between the main characters felt unnatural. Despite these flaws, the film’s grand storytelling and ambitious scope make it worth watching for those who enjoy fantasy action movies.
12. Red Sparrow (2018)
Fans of Jennifer Lawrence will be captivated by her outstanding portrayal of a Russian spy in Red Sparrow. The film is based on a novel from 2013 and follows the story of a young Russian intelligence officer who is given the mission to seduce a CIA operative. The goal is to get valuable information about the CIA’s activities within the Russian intelligence program. Lawrence’s performance shines in this thrilling spy drama that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
Although the action scenes are expertly executed, Red Sparrow falls short due to its unoriginal storyline and the lack of chemistry between the main characters. The film prioritizes style over depth, failing to explore the characters’ motivations and backgrounds fully.
It may remind viewers of other spy films like Salt and Atomic Blonde. However, Jennifer Lawrence’s performance as a seductive secret agent is the movie’s highlight. She represents the role and keeps the audience engaged throughout. For fans of the movies like Hunger Games, Red Sparrow provides an opportunity to delve into the realm of espionage thrillers.
13. Ready Player One (2018)
Ernest Cline’s action-packed science fiction novel was a paradise for fans of popular culture. Spielberg masterfully adapts this material, giving us a visually stunning and highly enjoyable experience. The movie skillfully blends real-world elements with animated sequences, creating a thrilling and immersive adventure.
This is no easy feat, but Ready Player One effortlessly achieves it, infusing the digital world with a genuine emotional resonance.
The story takes place in 2045, when the real world is difficult to live in. People immerse themselves in a virtual reality called OASIS to escape their harsh reality. The creator of OASIS, James Halliday, has left behind his immense wealth and control of the virtual world to whoever can win a three-part contest.
When Wade Watts completes the first challenge, it sparks renewed interest in the competition. However, an opportunistic businessman named Sorrento wants to seize control of OASIS for profit. Can Wade and his friends find a way to prevent corporate forces from taking over OASIS?
Conclusion
Here are some other movies like Hunger Games that you might enjoy: The Most Dangerous Game (1932) is an old black-and-white film that shares the theme of survival against deadly adversaries. Cube (1997) is a suspenseful movie about a group of strangers trapped in a mysterious and maze. The Condemned (2007) is an action-packed film where prisoners are forced to fight each other to the death for entertainment.
The Giver (2014) is a dystopian story that explores a society where emotions and memories are hidden. The New Mutants (2020) is a superhero movie with young characters facing dangerous challenges. The Hunt (2020) is a thriller where people are hunted for sport. Lastly, V for Vendetta (2005) is a film about a person fighting against an oppressive government, movies like Hunger Games.
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