Only 1 Film Franchise Has Proven Prequels Are Worth it & It Ain’t Star Wars

It’s common now to see prequels – stories that take place before existing movies or books – largely because big franchises dominate entertainment. Often, these prequels feel like they’re just made for money, but occasionally, a studio creates one that truly elevates the original series. While many franchises struggle to get it right – even popular ones like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings have had mixed results with their prequels – The Hunger Games consistently delivers exceptional ones. The Hunger Games played a key role in shaping the young adult fiction world we know today, and the books and films have become modern classics of the dystopian genre.

The rich backstory established in the original series hinted at a deeper history of Panem, making it a logical step for author Suzanne Collins to expand on it. Unlike some series that release prequels with little impact, Collins’ work—and the subsequent films—fundamentally reshaped our understanding of the main Hunger Games trilogy. The prequels in this series are among the best ever written, and both The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping demonstrate how they can significantly enhance the entire story.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Revitalized The Hunger Games Series

Fans Were Excited to Learn President Snow’s Backstory

When the first prequel to The Hunger Games, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, was announced in 2019, fans had mixed reactions – some were excited, while others questioned if author Suzanne Collins could successfully continue such a popular series. There were also concerns about whether a movie could live up to the quality of the book. Ultimately, both the book and the film adaptation were a success and continue to be enjoyed by audiences.

The appeal of Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes lies in its exploration of President Coriolanus Snow’s origins, revealing the history behind the trilogy’s villain. Many viewers were surprised to find themselves sympathizing with Snow, a reaction boosted by Tom Blyth’s performance. Rachel Zegler also captivated audiences as Lucy Gray Baird, and the film significantly raised her profile as an actress.

A compelling aspect of Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was its unique viewpoint – we saw the Games through the eyes of a mentor supporting his tribute. Previously, the story had always centered on Katniss. This offered a fresh perspective on the Hunger Games, revealing how they evolved into the brutal spectacle seen in the original series. Notably, the book shows that Snow played a significant role in shaping the Games, even originating the idea of sponsorships.

What makes Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes stand out as a prequel is Collins’ ambitious challenge: to make readers understand—and even feel for—a villain without excusing his actions. She masterfully balanced nuance and complexity, a rare feat in any novel, especially young adult fiction. The movie successfully captures this delicate dynamic, solidifying its place as a strong addition to an already excellent series.

Sunrise on the Reaping Gave Fans a Much-Requested Story

Haymitch’s Games Are Set to Make a Highly-Anticipated Move to the Big Screen

Image via Lionsgate

I’m such a big fan of Haymitch from The Hunger Games! He’s always been my favorite character – that grumpy but secretly caring mentor to Katniss and Peeta. Woody Harrelson absolutely nailed the role, and it’s amazing to finally get his backstory in Sunrise on the Reaping. The book shows us how he won the Hunger Games – the special 50th anniversary games, where they had double the number of tributes, which made things even more intense!

People already knew how Haymitch won his Hunger Games – he cleverly used the arena’s force field to defeat his last opponent. However, this new story added a fascinating element: Haymitch’s relationships with the other tributes, especially his connection with Louella. Tragically, Louella died during the opening ceremonies in an accident, and the Gamemakers replaced her with a look-alike named Lou Lou, who the other tributes quickly nicknamed.

Lou Lou’s appearance highlights just how heartless the Capitol truly is. Throughout the original Hunger Games books, we saw hints of the Capitol’s cruelty – their treatment of Katniss and the other tributes was evidence enough. But Lou Lou showed fans a new level of the Gamemakers’ twisted creativity, and it reinforces the grim and detailed world of Panem.

The Hunger Games Prequels Don’t Just Add Lore, They Recontextualize Everything That Came Before Them

Fans of The Hunger Games prequels, particularly Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping, have noticed a clear connection: Ballad tells the story leading up to the original Hunger Games, while Sunrise focuses on the events before Catching Fire. Ballad especially deepened our understanding of President Snow’s animosity towards Katniss. Beyond Katniss challenging his power, the book revealed a personal connection: Snow’s past romance with Lucy Gray Baird from District 12. Some fans even speculate that Katniss might be Lucy Gray’s descendant, as it’s never been definitively confirmed that Lucy Gray died after her encounter with Snow in the woods.

The book Sunrise reveals not only how Haymitch won his Hunger Games – during the second Quarter Quell – but also how long he’s been working against the Capitol. While Katniss ultimately led the rebellion that defeated Snow, Haymitch was plotting to bring him down twenty-five years earlier. Instead of just showing us Haymitch’s victory, the author spends a significant portion of the book detailing his complex planning and strategic thinking, which went far beyond simply staying alive.

Fans weren’t simply shown another tribute story; they gained a deeper understanding of how Haymitch collaborated with rebels like Beetee to secretly sabotage the Hunger Games. This is especially revealing when you consider the events of Catching Fire, where their planning ultimately succeeded with Katniss, who hadn’t known about it during her second time competing.

Suzanne Collins has stated she only writes stories when she feels she has a meaningful message to share. After readers responded to the backstory of President Snow – even though it showed him as a cruel and self-centered person from the beginning – Collins wanted to remind everyone of his true nature. This led to her writing Sunrise on the Reaping, which vividly portrays the terrible things Snow did to his people.

Beyond the story itself, Suzanne Collins made a bold statement with Sunrise by including four different quotes at the beginning – something she’d never done before in the Hunger Games series. These quotes, from writers like George Orwell and William Blake, all focused on themes of propaganda and oppressive governments. Collins clearly signaled the story’s message, and her connection to current political issues is a key reason why The Hunger Games continues to resonate with readers and has become a classic of dystopian fiction.

No Other IP Does Prequels Like The Hunger Games

Sorry, Star Wars Fans

The Star Wars prequels are having a moment again, probably because enough time has passed for fans to revisit Episodes I, II, and III with a sense of nostalgia. What’s always been charming about Star Wars is that it’s not perfect. Some parts haven’t held up over time, and debates about things like Jar Jar Binks, Hayden Christensen’s acting, and the over-the-top lightsaber fights have kept people talking about the prequels for years.

Disagreements among fans are common throughout the Star Wars universe. Many can’t agree on whether newer shows like The Acolyte, Solo, or The Book of Boba Fett are good or not. However, the series has also had some successful prequels, including Andor, The Mandalorian, and the animated The Clone Wars.

Compared to Star Wars, The Hunger Games has benefited from having very few prequel stories. While every Hunger Games prequel released so far has been well-received by fans, Star Wars has expanded its universe with many authors beyond George Lucas. Considering all of this, The Hunger Games currently has the stronger track record with its prequel stories. Fans are eager to see how the new movie, Sunrise on the Reaping, performs, but based on past films, it looks promising.

2026-02-06 03:35