Dystopian movies became a major hit in the West after Suzanne Collin’s The Hunger Games series was adapted on the big screen. Because of the genre’s popularity, many authors and filmmakers followed suit. This genre covers a wide range of audience, especially the young adult ones.
In the world of The Hungers Games, the country of Panem is divided into 12 districts. Every year, they select one male and one female from each district to participate in a bloody fight. The whole game is televised, and at the end of it, one victor will be hailed.
If you loved this movie, here is a list of similar films that will surely keep you at the edge of your seats!
5. Ender’s Game (2013)
A genius child is sent to train for an upcoming alien invasion. There is a whole lot of sci-fi in this movie as it is set in outer space. The children, all trained to become planet warriors, defend the planet Earth from the inevitable alien colonization.
Similar to Katniss Everdeen, the protagonist in The Hunger Games, Ender is also hesitant to join the team because of their leader’s hidden motives. He is controlling and deceiving, and he left the kids into believing what they do is for the greater cause, which is actually the opposite.
4. Lord of the Flies (1990)
Many would say that Suzanne Collins took inspiration from this when she wrote The Hunger Games. William Golding, the author of Lord of the Flies, may have influenced a lot of dystopian writers.
The story is set on an island where a group of children crashed and sought shelter in it. Together, they formed a society which is reminiscent of the interactions found in The Hunger Games. As time goes by, drama and tensions arise among them.
The 1990 version of this movie may not be the same as the original 1963 film. Some would say that the older one is better but we still have to see it for ourselves.
3. Battle Royale (2000)
Based on Koushun Takami’s novel of the same title, Battle Royale paved the way for the creation of the popular Battle Royale arcade game.
This film came long before the universe of The Hunger Games existed. Despite so, they share a lot of similarities in theme, plot, and characters.
Both movies feature kids placed in an isolated area and left to kill each other until one victor survives. The only difference is that the participants aren’t randomly chosen and the game is not televised.
2. Divergent (2014)
This trilogy became a fan favorite after The Hunger Games fever. Anyone who has probably watched it has read the whole series long before the first Divergent book was adapted into the big screen.
The internet fan base of the series was so wide they created faction-based blogs that helped promote the release of the second installment called Insurgent.
In the dystopian world of Divergent, the society is divided into five factions: Abnegation, Candor, Erudite, Amity and Dauntless. A person can only belong in one group, and those who are hybrids are called divergent. They are hunted down and killed because of their ability to resist control.
It may not exactly be the same idea as The Hunger Games but the whole point of fighting for your freedom and finding where you truly belong both tick the box. The black ensemble that Tris wears will immediately make you think of Katniss’ all-black suit.
1. The Maze Runner (2014)
One of the most popular series under the dystopian genre, James Dashner’s The Maze Runner series does not fall short on thrilling action. It has the same mood as The Hunger Games and it’s almost impossible not to see the resemblance.
A set of teenagers who couldn’t remember who they are was trapped inside the glade that can only be escaped by going into the maze. Creatures called grievers lurk inside the maze and they kill anyone they see. The kids have to find their way out and get past the deadly monsters.
It’s also said that The Maze Runner series could top The Hunger Games in terms of quality. While the latter was made into four films, the last installment split into two parts, The Maze Runner stayed true to its trilogy.
These are some of the best dystopian movies that can contend with Collin’s The Hunger Games films. Have you watched any of these films? Share to us your own favorite dystopian movies in the comments below!
