Jennifer Lawrence starred in a hugely successful sci-fi franchise that is still relevant (and expanding) in 2026. Jennifer Lawrence is one of the most successful and critically acclaimed actresses of her generation, with over 20 movies in her filmography and a couple of TV projects, as well.
After gaining the praise of critics in Winter’s Bone, Lawrence rose to fame in X-Men First Class and The Hunger Games. The latter was the one that truly boosted her career and spawned a franchise that’s still active. Lawrence played Katniss Everdeen in the original Hunger Games movie series: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and both parts of Mockingjay.
The Hunger Games franchise is still active and quite popular, so much so that Lawrence’s movies keep trending on streaming, and it continues to expand with novels and movies. The Hunger Games movies are not only very well-made, but they are still relevant due to their themes.
The Hunger Games Franchise Continues To Be Relevant
Based on the novels by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games takes the audience into a dystopian world, centuries into the future, to the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem. The nation is formed by 12 districts ruled by the Capitol, an oppressive leadership that favors only certain districts, leaving others in poverty and decadence.
As punishment for a past rebellion against the Capitol that resulted in the destruction of District 13, one boy and one girl from each district are selected by lottery to compete in the annual Hunger Games. The contestants are called “tributes” and are forced to fight to the death in an enclosed arena. The last one standing is rewarded with food, supplies, and riches, along with their district.
If that wasn’t enough, the games are televised in all districts, with the purpose of them being to provide entertainment while also reminding everyone of the power of the Capitol. The events of the main series begin when Katniss volunteers as a tribute after her younger sister is selected, and she ends up leading a new rebellion.
Despite being a fantasy world, The Hunger Games strongly resonated with its audience and even with those with casual knowledge of it, and, unfortunately, not much has changed for the better in the real world for the franchise to stop being relatable and relevant. The Hunger Games franchise deserves its enduring popularity thanks to its quality, but its themes have also kept it relevant.
The Hunger Games Franchise Will Continue To Expand In 2026
Jennifer Lawrence’s Hunger Games movies ended in 2014, but the franchise continues to expand. The novels Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping were published in 2020 and 2025, respectively, with the former being adapted into a movie in 2023 and the latter’s adaptation coming in 2026.
Both Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping are prequels to Lawrence’s movies, with the former following a young Coriolanus Snow and the latter exploring the 50th Hunger Games, where a young Haymitch (Joseph Zada) was selected as tribute. Sunrise on the Reaping is set for a November 20, 2026, release.
Jennifer Lawrence Is Coming Back To The Hunger Games
Despite Sunrise on the Reaping being set many years before Katniss’ story, Jennifer Lawrence is coming back to the Hunger Games franchise. In December 2025, it was confirmed that Lawrence will reprise her role as Katniss in Sunrise on the Reaping, along with Josh Hutcherson returning as Peeta.
Exactly how Lawrence and Hutcherson can return in Sunrise on the Reaping is unclear, but the movie might bring the novel’s epilogue to life, as it has a time-jump to meet an adult Haymitch after the end of the revolution. The Hunger Games universe has many more stories to tell, and its themes are still timely.
