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Movie · Sci-fi, Action, Thriller · 2012 · PG-13

The Hunger Games: parents' guide

13+our pick

Best for ages 13 and up. Rated PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images - all involving teens.

A gripping dystopian adventure for teens, built on a premise that is hard to soften: 24 children aged 12 to 18 are forced to fight to the death on live TV. Shaky camerawork keeps the killing quick, but deaths by spear, knife, arrow and snapped neck are shown with blood, and the death of a sweet 12-year-old girl is especially upsetting. The heroine lost her father before the story begins, and late in the film two characters threaten a double suicide with poison berries. Language is mild, romance stays at kissing, and the mentor drinks heavily. We suggest 13 and up.

What's in it

Violence

Moderate

An opening bloodbath, spearings, stabbings and arrows, a girl's head slammed against metal, and a boy mauled by beasts before a mercy shot. Fast, shaky cuts limit gore, but bloody wounds, burns and bodies are shown.

Language

Mild

Infrequent and mild: a few uses of "damn," one or two of "hell," and several of "oh my God."

Sex and nudity

Mild

Katniss kisses Peeta on the cheek, then more passionately in a cave, partly for the cameras. A tribute's interview outfit shows leg and cleavage. No nudity or sexual situations.

Drinking, drugs and smoking

Moderate

Mentor Haymitch is introduced staggering drunk, spikes his morning coffee from a flask and has a drink in hand for much of the first half. Capitol guests sip cocktails, and wasp stings cause drug-like hallucinations.

Scary or intense scenes

Moderate

Children are picked at random to die, and tension runs high from the opening lottery on. Venomous wasps cause terrifying hallucinations, a fireball trap chases Katniss, snarling mutant dogs attack, and a young girl dies in Katniss's arms.

Sensitive topics

  • Death of a child
  • Suicide
  • Death of a parent

Worth talking about

Capitol audiences cheer for the Games like a sports show. What do we watch for entertainment that might be hurting real people?

Where to stream →

On our lists

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Checked October 13th, 2026 against Common Sense Media, Plugged In, movieguide.org. The age is our judgment, not an official rating, and every family draws its lines differently: read the notes, not just the number. Spotted something we missed? Tell us. How we rate.