The latest film-adaptation of Suzanne Collins most recent novel, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, has exceeded box office expectations with a prequel that is now breaking records for the franchise. Released on November 17th, the newest installment has already generated over 160$ million domestically, and just under $322 million dollars worldwide. Officially cementing The Hunger Games as a $3 billion dollar franchise, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, continues to impress with the film also having the lowest week 2 drop than any other movie in the series.
With the new era of streaming, it will be interesting to witness the results of the movie’s performance on digital platforms as this film is now available to rent at home. Since the original 3 films were released almost a decade ago, they lacked the opportunity to experience the full demand of streaming, which now allows people to conveniently watch movies at home or on the go with films being readily available online for rent/purchase shortly after their release in theaters. This takes effect on the box office for this new Hunger Games movie because movie-goers who have gotten used to streaming newly released films at home, may avoid purchasing a ticket at the theater knowing that it will soon be available online. With that being said, it also allows for Lionsgate to use the films streaming capabilities to make up for lost box office money in rental pricing and purchases that are more expensive with that earlier release on streaming.
As the new year movies approach, less screens will likely be provided to The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, as those theaters will be prioritized for newer films releasing such as, Mean Girls(remake), Aquaman 2, The Color Purple, and Wonka. So the time to make money in the actual theaters is quickly dissipating for this Hunger Games as it slowly reaches its end, and fully transitions to streaming. It cost $100 million to produce, so as of right now the film has a $222 million dollar profit, which is still significantly lower than each of the other films’ performances in theaters.
So is, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, a box office success? That is ultimately up to the numbers which right now still rank this film as the lowest of the franchise. However, the film is still profitable and that is not yet including the streaming purchases, and hours watched online. Not to mention the plethora of positive fan praise for the film, which now holds the audience’s Rotten Tomatoes score at 89% which is tied in first for the franchise with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. This ultimately suggests that there is a distinct audience willing to watch and pay for the film as long as the quality from book to movie adaption is as solid as it has continued to be with each film. The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, being no exception, is very accurate as an on screen adaption of the novel which leaves author Suzanne Collins feeling optimistic with the film’s portrayal of her work. Keeping that in mind, Collins might feel more inclined to make new additions to the franchise books with possible future new Hunger Games movies, but just like Lucy Gray Baird in, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Suzanne Collins will only speak when she has something to say.