THE MAIN SCOOP
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” didn’t quite hit the mark in global box office revenues, earning a total of $98.5 million globally. Despite falling short of expectations, the film’s performance was still noteworthy.
In the U.S. alone, this prequel to the Hunger Games series brought in $44 million, slightly missing its initial revenue forecasts.
Leading the charge internationally was the UK, where the film’s debut garnered $6.7 million.
This past weekend, Lionsgate saw a mix of fortunes with “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” which marked the grand return of the Hunger Games series to cinemas after an eight-year break. Despite not meeting analyst predictions, the movie still clinched the top spot at the global box office, accumulating $98.5 million worldwide.
Of this, North America contributed $44 million, a figure that reflects the series’ immense popularity in the region. The movie outperformed Disney’s “The Marvels” in the U.S., yet it didn’t quite reach its expected financial goals. Nevertheless, “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” managed to pull in an additional $54.5 million from overseas markets. The UK led these international earnings with $6.7 million, followed by Germany ($4.8 million), China ($4.5 million), France ($4.1 million), and Mexico ($3.7 million).
Although impressive, these numbers signify a dip for the franchise, which saw its first four movies collectively earn $3 billion worldwide. “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” the most successful of these, alone grossed over $865 million. While “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is unlikely to reach such heights, it’s still on track to recover its reported $100 million budget. The film’s performance might be hampered by its mixed critical reception (currently 61% on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest for the series) and a challenging release period post-Hollywood strikes. However, the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend could boost its earnings.
‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ as a Narrative Predecessor
Though lacking Jennifer Lawrence’s star appeal, the latest Hunger Games installment boasts a significant cast. Based on Suzanne Collins’ novel, the film acts as a prequel, unfolding 64 years before the original series. It features Tom Blyth as a young Coriolanus Snow, the future Panem president, who mentors Lucy Gray Baird (played by Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the modest District 12, in the 10th Hunger Games. When Lucy captivates Panem’s populace, Snow sees a chance to alter their destinies.
The cast includes notables like Viola Davis, Hunter Schafer, Jason Schwartzman, Josh Andrés Rivera, and Peter Dinklage. Francis Lawrence, director of the last three films in the original series, returns to direct, working from a script by Michael Lesslie and Michael Arndt. Producing are Lawrence, Nina Jacobsen, Brad Simpson under the Color Force banner, and Lionsgate’s Good Universe, with Collins and others as executive producers.
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is now playing in theaters.
About the Film
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” centers on Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth), the Snow family’s final hope, who hesitantly mentors Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a District 12 tribute, in the 10th Hunger Games. The film explores Snow’s journey and dilemma of becoming either a songbird or a snake.
Release Date: November 17, 2023
Director: Francis Lawrence
Cast: Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, Viola Davis, Tom Blyth, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Burn Gorman, Fionnula Flanagan
Rating: PG-13
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Box Office
How much did ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ earn at the global box office?
‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ earned $98.5 million globally, with $44 million from North America and $54.5 million from overseas markets.
Did ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ meet its box office expectations?
No, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ fell short of its box office expectations, although it still topped the global box office.
Which country led the international box office for ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’?
The United Kingdom led the international box office for the film, contributing $6.7 million to the total earnings.
What is the plot of ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’?
The film, set 64 years before the original Hunger Games, follows Coriolanus Snow mentoring Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from District 12, in the 10th Hunger Games.
Who stars in ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’?
The film stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Viola Davis, Hunter Schafer, Jason Schwartzman, Josh Andrés Rivera, and Peter Dinklage.
Who directed ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’?
Francis Lawrence directed ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’, returning after directing the final three films of the original Hunger Games series.
More about The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Box Office
- Box Office Performance of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
- The Hunger Games Prequel Surprises at the Box Office
- Cast and Crew of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
- Review and Ratings: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
- The Hunger Games Saga Continues
- International Box Office Results for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
