“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” the prequel of “The Hunger Games,” is currently the number one film on Starz, according to FlixPatrol. The specialized website reports that the film has been in the Top 10 over the past month, but has now reached the top spot (as of May 20).
Based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins, the movie follows a young Coriolanus Snow and how he becomes the tyrannical leader of Panem, especially his participation in the 10th Hunger Games and his relationship with the tribute Lucy Gray, from the 12th District.
The film, directed by Francis Lawrence, was already one of the highest-grossing titles of 2023, earning $337.4 million worldwide against a production budget of $100 million. However, now it’s also surging in popularity on the streaming platform.
What is the cast of ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’?
Tom Blyth plays Coryo Snow, a role that was previously portrayed by Donald Sutherland in the original film series. Meanwhile, Rachel Zegler, who is known for starring in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, takes on the role of Lucy Gray. Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, and Viola Davis complete the cast.
What were the reviews for ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’?
On Rotten Tomatoes, 64% of 237 critic reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The site’s consensus states: “An outstanding cast and exciting story help make The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes a worthy return to Panem, despite a rushed and somewhat frustrating ending.”
Is ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ available to watch on another platform?
For now, the movie is only available to watch on Starz. However, as Lionsgate has a Pay2 deal with NBCUniversal, the film will arrive on Peacock at some point in 2025. If it follows the same schedule as other films from the studio, it could arrive in December 2025. For example, John Wick: Chapter 4 arrives on Peacock on March 31, a year after its theatrical release.
Do I have to watch the previous Hunger Games movies before?
No, as this is a prequel, you can watch the film without knowing what happens in the other four movies. However, if you want context, you could do so. The original films are available to stream on Netflix.