There are five Hunger Games books by Suzanne Collins: the original trilogy, The Hunger Games (2008), Catching Fire (2009) and Mockingjay (2010), plus two prequels, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020) and Sunrise on the Reaping (2025). This guide lists the books in publication order and in story (chronological) order, explains where each prequel fits and matches every book to its movie, including the Sunrise on the Reaping film arriving November 20, 2026.
In this article
- How Many Hunger Games Books Are There?
- Hunger Games Books in Publication Order
- Hunger Games Books in Chronological (Story) Order
- Which Order Should You Read Them In?
- Quick Guide to Each Book (No Major Spoilers)
- Hunger Games Movies in Order
- Is There Going to Be a Sixth Hunger Games Book?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Bottom Line
How Many Hunger Games Books Are There?
There are five novels in the Hunger Games series, all written by Suzanne Collins and published by Scholastic. The first three form the original trilogy about Katniss Everdeen. The two newer books are prequels set decades earlier in Panem.
Hunger Games Books in Publication Order
| # | Book | Published | Story focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hunger Games | 2008 | Katniss volunteers for her sister in the 74th Games |
| 2 | Catching Fire | 2009 | Katniss and Peeta return for the 75th Games, the Third Quarter Quell |
| 3 | Mockingjay | 2010 | Katniss becomes the symbol of the rebellion against the Capitol |
| 4 | The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes | 2020 | A young Coriolanus Snow mentors a tribute in the 10th Games |
| 5 | Sunrise on the Reaping | March 18, 2025 | Sixteen-year-old Haymitch Abernathy in the 50th Games, the Second Quarter Quell |
Hunger Games Books in Chronological (Story) Order
- The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (10th Hunger Games), about 64 years before Katniss.
- Sunrise on the Reaping (50th Hunger Games), 24 years before the first book.
- The Hunger Games (74th Hunger Games).
- Catching Fire (75th Hunger Games).
- Mockingjay (the war that follows).
Wikipedia’s entry on Sunrise on the Reaping describes it as the second prequel, set on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games.
Which Order Should You Read Them In?
Most fans recommend reading in publication order, starting with The Hunger Games. The prequels are written for readers who already know Panem, Snow and Haymitch, and several of their biggest moments land harder once you know where those characters end up. If you are rereading, chronological order is a fun way to see the history of the Games unfold.
| Reader | Suggested order |
|---|---|
| First-time reader | Publication order: books 1, 2, 3, then the two prequels |
| Rereading fan | Chronological order: Ballad, Sunrise, then the trilogy |
| Movie fan | Read each book before or after its film, in publication order |
Quick Guide to Each Book (No Major Spoilers)
1. The Hunger Games (2008)
In the nation of Panem, the Capitol forces each of 12 districts to send two teenagers to fight in a televised arena. Katniss Everdeen of District 12 volunteers to save her younger sister.
2. Catching Fire (2009)
After her victory, Katniss sparks unrest across the districts. The Capitol responds with a special Quarter Quell that changes the rules for past victors.
3. Mockingjay (2010)
The rebellion goes to war against the Capitol, and Katniss must decide what kind of symbol she is willing to be.
4. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2020)
Eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from District 12, in the early years of the Games.
5. Sunrise on the Reaping (2025)
Haymitch Abernathy, the mentor readers meet in the first book, is reaped on his sixteenth birthday for a Quarter Quell with twice the usual number of tributes.
Hunger Games Movies in Order
| Movie | Release | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| The Hunger Games | 2012 | Book 1 |
| The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | 2013 | Book 2 |
| The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 | 2014 | Book 3 (first half) |
| The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 | 2015 | Book 3 (second half) |
| The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | 2023 | Book 4 |
| The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping | November 20, 2026 (US) | Book 5 |
The Sunrise on the Reaping film, directed by Francis Lawrence, premiered in London on October 28, 2026 and is scheduled to open in US theaters on November 20, 2026 (Wikipedia).
Is There Going to Be a Sixth Hunger Games Book?
As of November 2026, Suzanne Collins has not announced a sixth Hunger Games novel. Before Sunrise on the Reaping was revealed in 2024, many fans thought the series was finished, so new books can arrive with little warning. Check Scholastic’s official announcements for the latest news.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Hunger Games a trilogy?
The original story of Katniss Everdeen is a trilogy. With the two prequels, the full Hunger Games series now has five books.
What age are the Hunger Games books for?
The books are published as young adult fiction and are commonly read by ages 12 and up. They include violence, so parents may want to read the first book with or before younger readers.
Do you need to read the prequels?
No. The trilogy tells a complete story on its own. The prequels add backstory for President Snow and Haymitch and deepen themes from the original books.
Can I read Sunrise on the Reaping before Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
Yes. Each prequel works as a standalone story, though reading Ballad first follows the timeline and gives extra context for some references.
The Bottom Line
There are five Hunger Games books: read The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay first, then the prequels The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping. Finish before the Sunrise on the Reaping movie opens on November 20, 2026. For more book and pop culture guides, visit The Urban Splatter.
