5 Shows Hunger Games Fans Will LOVE

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Sunrise at the Reaping” from “The Hunger Games” series is now found on bookstore shelves, but viewers must endure over a year’s wait for the big-screen adaptation. This prequel delves into Haymitch Abernathy’s participation in the 50th annual Hunger Games, shedding light on the ruthless tactics used by the oppressive Capitol to maintain control over the 12 districts through manipulation and suppression of information. The “Hunger Games” series, focusing on Katniss Everdeen’s transformation from tribute to revolutionary in the original trilogy, shares similarities with many other stories set in dystopian societies. With the film adaptation of “Sunrise at the Reaping” not due until 2026, fans of “The Hunger Games” might find solace in immersing themselves in an engaging TV series in the meantime.

Here are five TV shows that share traits with The Hunger Games series, making them must-watch for eager fans right away.

Squid Game

As a devoted fan, I found myself utterly captivated by Netflix’s Squid Game. In this series, a gambling addict named Seong Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-Jae, and numerous financially stricken individuals are drawn into a high-stakes game of life or death. Unbeknownst to them, failure equates to a grim demise.

The brutal survival contest at the core of Squid Game’s narrative, coupled with its thought-provoking commentary on South Korea’s wealth disparity, invites comparisons to the Hunger Games franchise. Just like the contestants, we see them forge alliances and learn how to outsmart the ruthless Front Man’s lethal strategies.

In a nod to the second book and movie of the Hunger Games series, Catching Fire, Squid Game Season 2 revisits our protagonist in the competition once more, but this time with an edgy twist of rebellion. In short, Squid Game offers a riveting exploration of class disparity that fans of The Hunger Games will find hard to resist.

Silo

Instead of being about a battle royale like The Hunger Games, Silo shares striking similarities with Mockingjay, the final book in the Hunger Games series, as survival within its authoritarian society is portrayed. Silo is a show set in a dystopian future on Apple TV+, adapted from Hugh Howey’s book series, where people live underground silos to escape polluted Earth’s surface. Within these silos, the social hierarchy significantly impacts lives, and many secrets about their creation and true purpose are kept hidden. The main character Juliette Nichols (played by Rebecca Ferguson) transforms from an ordinary mechanical engineer into a catalyst for rebellion, much like Katniss in the Hunger Games books and movies. Engrossing and intellectually stimulating throughout its two seasons, Silo is one of TV’s best shows, making it a must-watch for any Hunger Games fan.

The 100

As a movie connoisseur, I’ve found myself captivated by “The 100,” a gripping post-apocalyptic tale that unfolds from the perspective of a band of teenagers dispatched from space to assess Earth’s habitability for human reoccupation. This intriguing narrative is inspired by Kass Morgan’s novel series, and while it may not appear to share many similarities with “The Hunger Games” at first glance, the arrival of these delinquent outsiders on Earth sets off a brutal struggle for survival among various surviving civilizations.

Delving deeper into the show’s seven seasons, you’ll find that the narrative is rife with complex power struggles, with youth dominating as both victims and instigators in the face of war and brutality. If you’re a fanatic of dystopian fiction, particularly “The Hunger Games,” I believe you’ll find yourself fully satisfied by the dark, compelling world of “The 100.

Yellowjackets

A series like Yellowjackets, which is similar to teen survivors battling in the wilderness as seen in other shows, focuses on a high school girls’ soccer team whose plane crashes in a secluded part of Canada. This sets off a grueling chain of events as they battle against the harsh environment. The Showtime series switches between the characters’ present-day struggle for survival and their lives 25 years later. Packed with intriguing character developments and unexpected plot twists, Yellowjackets is considered one of the best ongoing shows on TV. If you enjoyed the Hunger Games books and movies, you should definitely watch Yellowjackets, as it tells a captivating story about survival in extreme situations.

3%

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but sing praises for the overlooked Netflix original series, “3%.” Reminiscent of the Hunger Games franchise in many ways, this gripping show is set in a dystopian Brazil, where young adults from a struggling region compete fiercely in The Process – an intense contest – to secure passage to an elite, opulent part of society. Sadly, numerous participants meet their demise, and only a minuscule fraction succeed – hence the series’ title. “3%” offers poignant social critique on themes such as wealth, privilege, and authoritarianism. Throughout its four captivating seasons, the show takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride with numerous unexpected plot twists that will keep you glued to the screen. If you’re a fan of The Hunger Games eagerly waiting for Sunrise on the Reaping to grace the silver screen, I highly recommend giving “3%” a watch!

All of these shows are available to stream across various platforms.

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2025-04-11 02:10