In a stunning return to the big screen, Lionsgate’s long-awaited Hunger Games prequel, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,’ has made a resounding impact at the domestic box office. The film, directed by franchise veteran Francis Lawrence, has ignited the box office charts with a formidable $5.8 million in Thursday previews. Even more impressively, it’s projected to amass a whopping $50 million during its opening weekend, signaling a triumphant comeback for a franchise that has slumbered for nearly a decade.
Comparing this performance to recent releases, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ is set to outshine ‘The Marvels,’ which graced theaters just the previous weekend. It’s worth noting, however, that each previous installment in the Hunger Games series achieved opening weekends exceeding $100 million, underlining the immense anticipation surrounding this prequel.
The film introduces audiences to a young Coriolanus Snow, portrayed by Tom Blythe, who would later evolve into the formidable antagonist of the Hunger Games series. Alongside him, Rachel Zegler takes on the role of a young tribute, thrust into the brutal annual games in a desperate bid to secure her community’s financial stability.
Reviews for ‘The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ have been a rollercoaster of emotions, with a current Rotten Tomatoes score of 62%. While some critics have lauded the film as potentially the most captivating entry in the series, others have remained more reserved. This rating closely aligns with the scores achieved by ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1’ and ‘Part 2’ during their heydays.
One critic, Ross Bonaime of FilmSweep, described the film as potentially “the most engrossing film in this series” in his favorable review. Such divided opinions only serve to pique the curiosity of fans and newcomers alike.
A noteworthy distinction of ‘The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ is its budget. Unlike its predecessors, which commanded budgets ranging from $130 million to $160 million, this prequel was crafted with fiscal restraint in mind, coming in at a more modest $100 million. Lionsgate’s cautious approach to reviving its most lucrative franchise underscores the stakes of rekindling the young adult genre’s appeal in today’s cinematic landscape.
This weekend promises to be an exciting clash at the box office, with ‘The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ poised to claim the top spot from ‘The Marvels.’ Competing for audience attention are Universal’s ‘Trolls Band Together,’ Sony’s ‘Thanksgiving,’ and Searchlight’s ‘Next Goal Wins.’ It’s a thrilling showdown that moviegoers won’t want to miss.
In ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,’ we follow the journey of a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth), the last hope for the once-proud Snow family. Reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12 in the 10th Hunger Games, Snow embarks on a harrowing race against time, where his fate teeters between becoming a songbird or a snake.
As we eagerly await the film’s release on November 17, 2023, under the expert guidance of director Francis Lawrence and an ensemble cast including Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, Viola Davis, Tom Blyth, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Burn Gorman, and Fionnula Flanagan, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ promises to be a riveting addition to the beloved Hunger Games saga.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hunger Games Prequel
What is ‘The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’?
‘The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ is a Hunger Games prequel film directed by Francis Lawrence. It explores the early life of Coriolanus Snow, the future antagonist of the Hunger Games series, and follows the story of a young tribute competing in the annual games.
How well is the movie performing at the box office?
The film had an impressive start with $5.8 million in Thursday previews and is expected to gross around $50 million during its opening weekend, signaling a strong comeback for the Hunger Games franchise.
What are the reviews like for ‘The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’?
Reviews for the film have been mixed-to-positive, with a 62% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Some critics have praised it as potentially the most engrossing entry in the series, while others have been more reserved in their assessments.
How does the budget of this film compare to previous Hunger Games movies?
Unlike the earlier movies in the series, which had budgets ranging from $130 million to $160 million, ‘The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ was made with a more conservative budget of $100 million, reflecting a cautious approach to reviving the franchise.
What other movies are competing with ‘The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ at the box office?
The film faces competition from ‘Trolls Band Together,’ ‘Thanksgiving,’ and ‘Next Goal Wins’ in what promises to be a crowded weekend at the box office.
When is ‘The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ set to be released?
The movie is set for release on November 17, 2023, and is eagerly anticipated by fans of the Hunger Games series.
More about Hunger Games Prequel
- Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes – IMDb
- Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes – Rotten Tomatoes
- Francis Lawrence – IMDb
- Hunger Games Series – Box Office Mojo
- Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 – Box Office Mojo
- Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 – Box Office Mojo
- Trolls Band Together – IMDb
- Thanksgiving (2023) – IMDb
- Next Goal Wins (2023) – IMDb
