The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is a 2023 American dystopian action film directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Michael Lesslie and Michael Arndt, based on the 2020 novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins. It is the fifth installment in The Hunger Games franchise and is a prequel to The Hunger Games (2012). The film stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, Jason Schwartzman, Peter Dinklage, Josh Andrés Rivera, and Viola Davis. In the film, Coriolanus Snow (Blyth) is called on to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler), a Games tribute, as he seeks to restore his family's prosperity in Panem.

The Hunger Games:
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFrancis Lawrence
Screenplay by
Based onThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
by Suzanne Collins
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJo Willems
Edited byMark Yoshikawa
Music byJames Newton Howard
Production
companies
Distributed byLionsgate Films
Release dates
  • November 5, 2023 (2023-11-05) (Berlin)
  • November 17, 2023 (2023-11-17) (United States)
Running time
157 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$100 million[2]
Box office$349 million[3][4]

Lionsgate Films CEO Jon Feltheimer confirmed future Hunger Games films would be produced if Collins wrote further installments. In 2019, the studio announced plans for Songbirds & Snakes and official development on the film began a year later, with Lawrence returning as director and Leslie and Ardnt serving as screenwriters. Blyth and Zegler were cast in May 2022 and principal photography began that July and lasted until that November, with filming locations including Wrocław, Berlin, and Leipzig.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes premiered in Berlin on November 5, 2023,[5] and was theatrically released in the United States on November 17. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its cast and story, but criticism for its execution. It grossed $349 million worldwide against a production budget of $100 million, making The Hunger Games series the 20th-highest-grossing film franchise of all time, having grossed $3.3 billion worldwide.

A sequel based on Sunrise on the Reaping is set to be released November 20, 2026.[6]

Plot

edit

In war-ravaged Panem, Coriolanus Snow is one of twenty-four Academy students selected to mentor a 10th Annual Hunger Games tribute. Coriolanus hopes to win the Plinth Prize scholarship to restore his family's prosperity, which was lost after his father's death.

Coriolanus is assigned District 12's female tribute, Lucy Gray Baird. During the reaping ceremony, she engages the Capitol audience by slipping a snake down the dress of Mayor Lipp's daughter, Mayfair, then defiantly sings to the crowd. Coriolanus earns Lucy Gray's trust while accompanying her to the Capitol Zoo, where tributes are publicly caged. While a few mentors visit the tributes at the zoo, fellow mentor Arachne Crane is killed by her tribute, Brandy, who is immediately shot and killed by Peacekeepers.

While touring the arena, rebel bombs explode, killing several tributes and mentors, including the President's son, Felix. After Lucy Gray saves Coriolanus from falling debris, he gives her rat poison as a weapon and says the bombings have opened tunnels in the arena, providing additional hiding places during the Games.

The Games commence the next morning, with Lucy Gray surviving the initial bloodbath and reuniting with Jessup, District 12's male tribute. Jessup later succumbs to a fall and from rabies. During the Games' last round, genetically modified snakes are dropped into the arena as revenge for Felix's death. With Coriolanus's help, Lucy Gray avoids being bitten and wins the Games. Afterwards, Dean Casca Highbottom accuses Coriolanus of cheating, showing a handkerchief dropped into the tank of snakes to recognize Lucy Gray's scent and his mother's compact filled with poison which Lucy used. Consequently, Highbottom sentences Coriolanus to 20 years as a Peacekeeper. Coriolanus bribes an officer to transfer him to District 12, and fellow Academy student Sejanus Plinth, who has grown disillusioned with the Capitol's ideals after seeing his tribute, Marcus, die, is sent to join him.

In District 12, Coriolanus and Lucy Gray reunite. Shortly after witnessing a rebel's execution, Coriolanus is to transfer for officer training in District 2. Coriolanus later finds Sejanus meeting with rebels Spruce, Billy Taupe (Lucy Gray's former love interest), and Mayfair. In the ensuing confrontation, Coriolanus fatally shoots Mayfair and Spruce kills Billy. Coriolanus allows a jabberjay to hear Sejanus' plans. Spruce hides the guns, but he and Sejanus are later hanged for treason.

Lucy Gray and Coriolanus flee north. At a small cabin, Coriolanus finds the hidden weapons tying him to Mayfair's murder. Lucy Gray, distrusting Coriolanus, disappears into the woods. After he is bitten by a snake and unsuccessfully tries to shoot Lucy Gray, Coriolanus dumps the guns into the lake near the cabin. With no remaining witnesses, he returns to District 12.

Coriolanus is sent to the Capitol, where Gamemaster Dr. Volumnia Gaul reveals she procured him a pardon and scholarship to the Capitol University. Sejanus' parents, unaware Coriolanus caused their son's death, make him their heir. Dean Highbottom tells Coriolanus that he conceived the Hunger Games while he was drunk and has been traumatized ever since. Coriolanus poisons Dean Highbottom's drug stash, killing the latter and beginning his rise to power, while Lucy Gray’s fate is left unknown.

Cast

edit
Additional mentors
  • Ashley Liao as Clemensia Dovecote: A classmate and friend of Snow, and a mentor to a tribute from District 11[7]
  • Max Raphael as Festus Creed: A classmate of Snow, and mentor to a tribute from District 4[8]
  • Zoe Renee as Lysistrata Vickers: A classmate of Snow, and mentor of the other District 12 tribute, Jessup[8]
  • Aamer Husain as Felix Ravinstill: A classmate of Snow, son of the President of Panem, and mentor to a tribute from District 11[7]
  • Lilly Cooper as Arachne Crane: A classmate of Snow, and a mentor to a tribute from District 10[9]
  • Ayomide Adegun as Pup Harrington: A classmate of Snow, and a mentor to a tribute from District 7
  • Amélie Hoeferle as Vipsania Sickle: A classmate of Snow, and a mentor to a tribute from District 7
Additional tributes
  • Nick Benson as Jessup: The male tribute from District 12 alongside Lucy Gray[9]
  • Mackenzie Lansing as Coral: The female tribute from District 4 and leader of "the Pack". Coral's role from the books was expanded to fit the film's plot.[7]
  • Cooper Dillon as Mizzen: The male tribute from District 4[10]
  • Hiroki Berrecloth as Treech: The male tribute from District 7
  • Kjell Brutscheidt as Tanner: The male tribute from District 10[10]
  • Dimitri Abold as Reaper: The male tribute from District 11
  • Irene Boehm as Lamina: The female tribute from District 7
  • Sofia Sanchez as Wovey: The young female tribute from District 8[8]
  • Knox Gibson as Bobbin: The male tribute from District 8
  • Luna Steeples as Dill: The female tribute from District 11
  • Luna Kuse as Brandy: The female tribute from District 10
  • Jerome Lance as Marcus: The male tribute from District 2

Dakota Shapiro plays Billy Taupe, Lucy Gray's former love interest and a former member of the Covey.[10] Isobel Jesper Jones plays Mayfair Lipp, the daughter of District 12's mayor, a rival of Lucy Gray, and Billy Taupe's new girlfriend.[11] George Somner plays Spruce, a rebel citizen from District 12.[10]

Other members of Lucy Gray's travelling musician group, the Covey, include Vaughan Reilly as Maude Ivory,[10] Honor Gillies as Barb Azure,[11] Eike Onyambu as Tam Amber,[11] and Konstantin Taffet as Clerk Carmine.[11]

Michael Greco and Daniela Grubert appear as Strabo Plinth and Mrs. Plinth, Sejanus' parents,[11] while Carl Spencer and Scott Folan appear as Smiley and Beanpole, two peacekeepers sent by the Capitol to District 12.[11]

Production

edit

Development

edit
 
Promotional poster in John Halle's Hall, a medieval hall house now the foyer of the Odeon Cinema, Salisbury, UK, April 15, 2023.

In August 2017, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer expressed interest in more stories in The Hunger Games film series, but only with the approval of the author of the series, Suzanne Collins.[12]

In June 2019, Joe Drake, chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, announced that the company was working with author Suzanne Collins with regards to an adaptation of the novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.[13] By April 2020, Collins and Lionsgate confirmed that plans were underway for the film's development. Francis Lawrence was later confirmed to direct, after doing so for the prior three films in the series since The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The screenplay was written by Collins, Michael Arndt and Michael Lesslie, with Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson as producers along with Lawrence.[14][15] Concerned over the book's length, Lawrence briefly considered to split the film in two parts like he did with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, but abandoned the idea to do so, due to his regrets over that decision. Jacobson felt that the finished film had a "daunting" length but feels that it "really goes by so fast".[16] Collins, in addition, would serve as an executive producer on the film.[15]

Casting

edit

In May 2022, Tom Blyth was cast as the young President Snow,[17] with Rachel Zegler as his protégée, tribute Lucy Gray Baird.[18] Zegler was originally offered the role in January, but initially turned it down before later changing her mind.[19] In June 2022, Josh Andrés Rivera (who previously starred in 2021's West Side Story alongside Zegler), Hunter Schafer and Jason Schwartzman were cast.[20][21][22] Peter Dinklage was cast in the following month.[23] Throughout June and July 2022, the cast was rounded out with actors portraying the film's multiple tributes and mentors.[7][9][8][10] On August 15, 2022, it was reported that Viola Davis was cast as Volumnia Gaul, the head gamemaker of the 10th annual Hunger Games.[24] On September 16, 2022, more cast members were revealed, including Burn Gorman and Fionnula Flanagan.[11]

Filming

edit

Filming began in Wrocław, Poland, on July 11, 2022, and ended in Berlin, Germany, on November 5, 2022.[15][25] Filming locations included the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig,[26] the Strausberger Platz and the Olympic Stadium in Berlin and the Centennial Hall in Wrocław.[27] Some scenes in the film were also shot in the "Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord" in Duisburg in North Rhine-Westphalia,[28] and areas around Wałbrzych (Poland), including Boguszów-Gorce; a fragment of the trail leading to Chełmiec Mountain, and the lake in Grzędy.[29]

Music

edit

The soundtrack for The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes contains the film's version of songs such as "The Hanging Tree", "Pure as the Driven Snow", which were live performed by Zegler, and produced by Dave Cobb, which heavily drew from Appalachian-country folk music.[30] The official soundtrack The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (Music From & Inspired By) was released on November 17, by Geffen Records featuring tracks performed by Zegler, as well as songs performed by established Americana and folk artists, and was led by two singles: "The Hanging Tree (Lucy Gray's version)" was released on October 20, 2023,[31] and "Can't Catch Me Now", performed by Olivia Rodrigo, was released on November 3.[32]

In July 2022, composer James Newton Howard confirmed that he would return to score the film.[33] Howard's score was released on November 17, 2023, by Sony Classical Records.[34]

Marketing

edit

On October 30, 2023, the film was given an interim agreement so that actors could promote it during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, since Lionsgate is not part of the AMPTP.[35]

Release

edit

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes had its European premiere in Berlin, Germany on November 5, 2023,[5] its world premiere at the BFI IMAX in London on November 9, 2023,[36] and was released on November 16, in Europe[37] and November 17, 2023, by Lionsgate Films.[38]

Home media

edit

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was released on digital and VOD on December 19, 2023.[39] The film was released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD on February 13, 2024, by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.[40]

Reception

edit

Box office

edit

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes grossed $166.4 million in the United States and Canada, and $171 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $337.4 million.[3]

In the United States and Canada, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was released alongside Next Goal Wins, Trolls Band Together, and Thanksgiving, and was projected to gross around $50 million from 3,776 theaters in its opening weekend, with some industry estimates going as low as $45 million or as high as $60 million.[41][42] The film made $19.1 million on its first day, $5.75 million from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $44 million, topping the box office but marking the lowest start of the franchise.[2] The film made $29 million in its second weekend (a drop of 35%, the smallest of both the franchise and of any blockbuster in 2023), remaining in first.[43][44] The film finished in second place each of subsequent three weeks, with grosses of $14.5 million (finishing behind newcomer Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé),[45] $9.4 million (behind newcomer The Boy and the Heron),[46] and $5.8 million (behind newcomer Wonka).[47] In its sixth weekend the film made $3.5 million, and a total of $5.4 million over the four-day Christmas frame, finishing in seventh.[48]

Critical response

edit

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 64% of 238 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The website's consensus reads: "An outstanding cast and exciting story help make The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes a worthy return to Panem in spite of a rushed and somewhat frustrating ending."[49] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 54 out of 100, based on 53 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[50] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, the lowest of the franchise, while those polled by PostTrak gave it an 87% overall positive score, with 70% saying they would definitely recommend the film.[2]

Zoe Guy of Vulture reported that "some critics view the 158-minute spectacle as an overwrought snoozefest, while others argue that Ballad is the most satisfying entry in the entire franchise".[51] NME's Alex Berry meanwhile characterised the initial critical response as "largely negative", noting that "the film has been criticised as lacking in the excitement and drama promised by the trailer, and not living up to the expectation following the first films".[52]

Writing for IndieWire, David Ehrlich named the film both the best young adult dystopian film and "by far" the strongest installment in The Hunger Games film series, describing it as "the rare prequel that manages to stand on its own two feet and still feel taller than the other stories it's ultimately meant to support".[53] RogerEbert.com's Christy Lemire complimented the "subtlety of this supervillain origin story" and described Blyth's performance as Coriolanus Snow as "a star-making performance".[54] Brian Truitt of USA Today praised it as "an enticing blend of dystopian action epic and musical drama that surpasses the previous films".[55] In a negative review for The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw wrote that "the interest, dramatic momentum and energy" of the franchise "have frankly expired", concluding that "this movie finally ties itself into various knots to prefigure the later world of Katniss, but the time to end the Games came long ago".[56] Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent criticized the film for "[squandering] the anger of novelist Suzanne Collins's source material" and "[diluting] its biggest villain", further deriding Snow's characterization as a "yassification of a future monster".[57]

Accolades

edit
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipients Result Ref.
Alliance of Women Film Journalists January 4, 2024 EDA Special Mention Awards The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Nominated [58]
Artios Awards March 7, 2024 The Zeitgeist Award Debra Zane, Dylan Jury and Simone Bär (Location Casting) Nominated [59]
Costume Designers Guild Awards February 21, 2024 Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film Trish Summerville Nominated [60]
Excellence in Costume Illustration Oksana Nedavniaya Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Awards November 15, 2023 Original Score – Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film James Newton Howard Nominated [61]
Original Song – Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film "Can't Catch Me Now" - Olivia Rodrigo and Dan Nigro Won
North Carolina Film Critics Association January 3, 2024 Best Original Song Nominated [62]
Ken Hanke Memorial Tar Heel Award Hunter Schafer Nominated
People's Choice Awards February 18, 2024 Action Movie of the Year The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Won [63]
Female Movie Star of the Year Viola Davis Nominated
Rachel Zegler Nominated
Action Movie Star of the Year Viola Davis Nominated
Rachel Zegler Won
Set Decorators Society of America Awards February 13, 2024 Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Science Fiction or Fantasy Feature Film Sabine Schaaf and Uli Hanisch Nominated [64]
Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards February 13, 2024 Outstanding Original Song for a Dramatic or Documentary Visual Media Production "Can't Catch Me Now" - Olivia Rodrigo and Dan Nigro Won [65]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (12A)". BBFC. September 18, 2023. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 19, 2023). "'The Hunger Games: Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes' Chirps $44M Opening: Enough To Reignite Franchise?; 'Marvels' Suffers Worst MCU 2nd Weekend Drop – Sunday Box Office Update". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes". The Numbers. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  4. ^ "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Adekaiyero, Ayomikun (November 6, 2023). "Rachel Zegler channeled Katniss Everdeen at the premiere of 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.' Here are the 12 best red carpet photos". Insider. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  6. ^ Morrow, Brendan. "New 'Hunger Games' book and film adaptation in the works: 'Sunrise on the Reaping'". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 14, 2022). "'The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes': Here's The First Round Of Tributes & Mentors". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 28, 2022). "'Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes': Six Join Prequel's Growing Ensemble Of Tributes & Mentors". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 20, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 21, 2022). "'The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes': Here's The 2nd Round Of Tributes, Mentors & More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e f D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 6, 2022). "'Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes': Fourth Round Of Tributes & Mentors Counts Nine". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 16, 2022). "'Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes' Rounds Out Cast With Fionnula Flanagan, 10 Others". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 16, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  12. ^ Lang, Brent (August 8, 2017). "Lionsgate Chief Says 'Hunger Games,' 'Twilight' Have 'More Stories to Tell'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  13. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 17, 2019). "'Hunger Games' Prequel Novel From Suzanne Collins Coming In 2020, Lionsgate In Talks For Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  14. ^ Baxter, Joseph (April 21, 2020). "Hunger Games Prequel Movie The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Officially Set by Lionsgate". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on April 26, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  15. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony; Hayes, Dade (August 5, 2021). "'Hunger Games' Prequel To Start Production In First Half Of 2022, Lionsgate Film Boss Joe Drake Says". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  16. ^ Wang, Jessica (November 3, 2023). "Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes director considered splitting the movie into two parts". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  17. ^ Juneau, Jen (May 16, 2022). "The Hunger Games Prequel Casts Billy the Kid's Tom Blyth as a Young President Snow". People. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  18. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 31, 2022). "Rachel Zegler To Play Lucy Gray Baird In Lionsgate's The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  19. ^ Mantilla, Ryan Louis (January 29, 2023). "Rachel Zegler Reveals She Initially Turned Down 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'". Collider. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  20. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 15, 2022). "'The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes': Josh Andres Rivera To Reteam With 'West Side Story' Star Rachel Zegler". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  21. ^ Kroll, Justin (June 22, 2022). "'Euphoria's Hunter Schafer Latest To Join 'Hunger Games: Ballad Of The Songbirds And Snakes'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  22. ^ Grobar, Matt (June 27, 2022). "'The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes': Jason Schwartzman Newest Addition To Lionsgate Prequel". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  23. ^ Kroll, Justin (July 18, 2022). "'Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes': Peter Dinklage To Co-Star In Lionsgate Prequel". Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  24. ^ Grobar, Matt (August 15, 2022). "'The Hunger Games': Viola Davis Latest To Join Lionsgate Franchise's 'The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 24, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  25. ^ Eckardt, Stephanie (July 19, 2022). "Everything We Know About the Hunger Games Prequel". W. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  26. ^ Emma Schmidt (May 5, 2023), "Hollywooddreh am Völkerschlachtdenkmal", Leipziger Volkszeitung (in German), p. 1, archived from the original on May 5, 2023, retrieved May 5, 2023
  27. ^ Gersz, Ola (May 4, 2023). "W nowych "Igrzyskach śmierci" wystąpiła... Hala Stulecia z Wrocławia. Jest nie do poznania!" [The new 'Hunger Games' feature... the Wrocław Centennial Hall. It's unrecognizable!]. naTemat.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  28. ^ "Tribute von Panem: Neuer Trailer zeigt Hollywood in Duisburg". May 3, 2023. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  29. ^ "Propaganda Posters, The Hanging Tree, Peacekeeper Vehicles, Extras and More! Inside The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Set In Germany and Poland - The Hunger Games News - Panem Propaganda". www.panempropaganda.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  30. ^ September 25, Jessica Wang; EDT, 2023 at 12:00 PM. "'Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' brings young Coriolanus Snow to life". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ Zemler, Emily (October 20, 2023). "Hear Rachel Zegler Perform 'The Hanging Tree' for 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  32. ^ Aniftos, Rania (November 1, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo Announces 'Can't Catch Me Now' Song Off Upcoming 'Hunger Games' Soundtrack". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  33. ^ says, Darren. "James Newton Howard to Score Francis Lawrence's 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' | Film Music Reporter". Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  34. ^ "First Track from James Newton Howard's The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Score Released". Film Music Reporter. November 7, 2023. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  35. ^ Gajewski, Ryan (October 30, 2023). "'Hunger Games' Prequel Nabs SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  36. ^ Bamigboye, Baz; Tartaglione, Nancy (November 9, 2023). "'The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes' World Premieres As Team Optimistic For More Sequels". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  37. ^ Coletti, Caio (November 13, 2023). "Novo Jogos Vorazes tem Capital bem diferente: "É como a Berlim pós-2ª Guerra"". Omelete (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  38. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 28, 2022). "'Hunger Games' Prequel 'The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes' Gets 2023 Release Date – CinemaCon". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  39. ^ "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Digital Streaming Date Revealed". When to Stream. December 8, 2023. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  40. ^ Dela Paz, Maggie (January 2, 2024). "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes 4K, Blu-ray & DVD Release Date Set". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  41. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 15, 2023). "'Hunger Games: Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes' Looks To Sing $100M+ Worldwide Opening – Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  42. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (November 15, 2023). "Box Office: 'Hunger Games' Prequel 'Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' Targets $50 Million Debut". Variety. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  43. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 26, 2023). "'Songbirds & Snakes' Reigns Supreme Over Thanksgiving Stretch With $42M 5-day; 'Napoleon' Steps On Disney's 'Wish' With $32M+ — Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  44. ^ "Box Office: Disney's 'Wish' Fizzles, 'Napoleon' Beats Expectations as 'Hunger Games' Lands on Top Again". Variety. November 26, 2023. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  45. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 3, 2023). "'Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé' $22M Opening Irreplaceable For Sleepy Early December Weekend; Fuels $95M+ Frame Best Post 2018 – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  46. ^ Lang, Brent (December 10, 2023). "Box Office: Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron' Opens to Record-Breaking $12.8 Million, Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' Stumbles in Second Weekend". Variety. Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  47. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 16, 2023). "'Wonka' Opening Getting Sweeter With $37M-$38M – Saturday Box Office Update". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  48. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 24, 2023). "Christmas Box Office Slows Down: 'Aquaman 2' $38M-$39M, 'Wonka' $26M, 'Migration' $17M & More – Sunday Update". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  49. ^ "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 26, 2024.  
  50. ^ "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  51. ^ Guy, Zoe (November 10, 2023). "Does The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Sing?". Vulture. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  52. ^ Berry, Alex (November 10, 2023). "'The Hunger Games' prequel is getting slated by critics as "strenuously uninteresting"". NME. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  53. ^ Ehrlich, David (November 9, 2023). "'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' Review: The Rare Hollywood Prequel That Towers Over the Rest of Its Franchise". IndieWire. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  54. ^ Lemire, Christy (November 16, 2023). "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes movie review (2023)". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  55. ^ Truitt, Brian (November 9, 2023). "Review: 'Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' is the best 'Hunger Games' movie of them all". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  56. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (November 9, 2023). "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes review – back to an empty future". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  57. ^ Loughrey, Clarisse (November 9, 2023). "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes review – A limp prequel that dilutes its biggest villain". The Independent. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  58. ^ Merin, Jennifer (December 22, 2023). "2023 EDA Awards Nominees". Alliance of Women Film Journalists. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  59. ^ Coates, Tyler (January 12, 2024). "Casting Society Artios Awards: 'Barbie', 'Killers of the Flower Moon', and 'Oppenheimer' Among Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  60. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (January 4, 2024). "'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' Among Costume Designers Guild Awards Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  61. ^ Grein, Paul (November 16, 2023). "Billie Eilish's Barbie Song, Robbie Robertson's Scorsese Score Honored at 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  62. ^ Neglia, Matt (January 3, 2024). "The 2023 North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  63. ^ Malec, Brett (January 11, 2024). "2024 People's Choice Awards: Complete List of Nominees". E! Online. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  64. ^ "Set Decorators Society of America Announces Nominees for SDSA Awards Film 2023". Below the Line. January 5, 2024. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  65. ^ "NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR 5TH ANNUAL SCL AWARDS". Society of Composers And Lyricists. December 21, 2023. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
edit