
Who’s ready to watch beautiful and hormonal teenagers try to kill each other again for fame? And we’re not talking about 7-Eleven parking lots or MTV reality shows, we’re talking about The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds And Snakes release date is set to be November 17, 2023.
Do bear in mind that that release date could still be pushed back or delayed and that there might be small variations in the exact date depending on the region.
The Hunger Games, a dystopian franchise that has become the definitive young adult novel adaptation worldwide, is set to expand its universe with the release of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
This prequel promises to transport us to a different era in Panem’s history and delve into the polarizing character of a young Coriolanus Snow. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting addition to the Hunger Games saga.
The Plot and Setting
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is 64 years before the events of the original Hunger Games series. This prequel takes place during the 10th annual Hunger Games, a time long before Katniss Everdeen’s iconic journey began. That very well means it will still feature the Hunger Games in its battle royale glory.
As we stated above, the prequel explores a very different Panem, with a younger and less self-assured Coriolanus Snow who is far from the tyrant he later becomes. His character is central to the film.
The prequel will explore Coriolanus Snow and Lucy Gray Baird’s relationship. The latter is a tribute from the impoverished District 12 (where Katniss from the main Hunger Games movies also hailed).
Lucy Gray’s act of defiant singing during the reaping ceremony catches the attention of all of Panem, and Coriolanus sees an opportunity to tip the odds in their favor. Together, they unite their instincts for showmanship and political savvy in a race against time, and their alliance will reveal who is the songbird and who is the snake, hence the film’s title.
The film, like the original novels, is based on Suzanne Collins’s 2020 book of the same name. However, it’s worth noting that adaptations often introduce some changes and liberties to the original material.
Themes and Story Details
While the action primarily focuses on the events of the Hunger Games, thematically, the movie will explore how its fictional society came to accept the brutal games as seen in the original series. It will offer a profound exploration of the morality and origins behind the Hunger Games and a deeper understanding of the Panem’s history.

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Director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson emphasized that this prequel will give a different experience from the original trilogy. The visual language and storytelling will be distinct while remaining recognizable as Panem, offering both a fresh perspective and a deeper dive into the world fans have grown to love.
Release Date and Cast
Again, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes release date is slated for November 17, 2023, and it will exclusively premiere in theaters. As fans eagerly anticipate this cinematic journey, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the cast that will bring these characters to life.
- Tom Blyth takes on the role of a young Coriolanus Snow, a character that fans of the original series will recognize as the future authoritarian president of Panem. You can thus consider this as his character’s origin story and how he came to power.
- Rachel Zegler steps into the shoes of Lucy Gray Baird, a charismatic tribute from District 12 who commands the nation’s attention with her defiant singing.
- Hunter Schafer portrays Tigris, Coriolanus’s cousin and confidante, who serves as a Capitol stylist.
- Jason Schwartzman plays Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman, the host of the 10th annual Hunger Games, and an ancestor of Caesar Flickerman from the original trilogy.
- Peter Dinklage is cast as Casca Highbottom, the dean of the Academy and unintentional creator of the Hunger Games. His presence will provide the fans with more intricate insight into how the Hunger Games came about.
The ensemble cast also includes Burn Gorman, Ashley Liao, Max Raphael, Zone Renรฉe, Nick Benson, Isobel Jesper Jones, George Somner, Dakota Shapiro, and many others in various roles, representing the diverse characters that make up the world of Panem.
The Future of the Hunger Games Franchise

Author Suzanne Collins has created a rich history within Panem that could potentially serve as source material for future movies. However, nothing is set in stone at the moment. Her decision to expand the franchise will likely depend on the prequel’s reception and whether it can capture the same level of interest and engagement as the original series.
It’s also important to note that The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes took the story too far back and that practically removes any opportunity for further prequels (unless fans want a Haymitch prequel story). Meanwhile, following up on the events of the original trilogy could be tough.
Still, a lot hinges on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes despite being a one-off prequel. You can see for yourself whether it will reinvigorate your interest in the world of Panem and the Hunger Games once the movie drops on November 17, 2023.