How Social Media Helped The Hunger Games Retain Its Popularity

The Hunger games series. image courtesy of the literary lifestyle

When The Hunger Games was first released, its popularity didn’t just grow because of its complex plot, characters and themes of social inequality, abuse of power and other political issues relevant to present-day society. A large part came from how readers talked about it online. Although BookTok, Bookstagram and BookTube didn’t exist yet, the online environment in the 2010s, near the time the novels were published and adaptations began production, fostered a fandom culture that helped the series go global. Today, newer platforms keep the fandom alive even after all these years, showing just how much influence digital communities have on books and their live-action counterparts.

Social Media in the 2010s

The Hunger Games came out when online book communities were getting more popular. Social media was becoming a cozy, welcoming place where fans could gather, form groups and share their enthusiasm with others. Instead of discovering novels and movies alike through traditional verbal means, readers were discovering them through online conversations and online platforms.

Tumblr, Twitter, and YouTube were especially notable, as Tumblr users created aesthetic mood boards and character analyses that delved into their personalities and complex nature. Twitter allows its readers to quote lines, share their reactions and take part in trending discussions and topics. YouTube reviewers made videos about the trilogy, both the books and the movies, analyzed it, made fan edits and created theories. Fanfiction sites also helped bring fans together.

It didn’t happen just because; it was thousands of fans who created artwork, edits, theories and posts that quickly spread across the internet. Social media didn’t replace traditional marketing strategies; rather, it amplified the advertisement, making the series feel unavoidable.

Why The Hunger Games Spread Online

Some stories naturally do well. The Hunger Games was one of them. It’s dramatic, unforgettable plot twists, political themes, and emotional yet fierce and intelligent characters that are a perfect representation of hope and survival, making it the content readers find interesting.

jennifer lawrence as katniss everdeen. image Courtesy of Encyclopædia Britannica

Shocking moments in both the novels and movies became top discussion points. Characters like Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark and Finnick Odair inspired emotional debates. And symbolism, such as the Mockingjay and the ongoing conflict and power imbalance between the twelve districts and the Capitol, steered conversations and fans also made viral memes, graphics and edits.

Online, the one thing people want to do is feel something and The Hunger Games did that. The more influential, relatable and emotional the content, the more it spreads.

If BookTok and Bookstagram Existed Back Then

Although The Hunger Games series became a huge hit without the help of TikTok or Instagram, it’s obvious that BookTok and Bookstagram would’ve reinforced that popularity and impact. These platforms rely heavily on reactions, aesthetics and storytelling.

On BookTok, readers would post videos of their reactions to major scenes and/or plot twists, sped-up edits of characters, fan casts of future characters and responses to certain moments for both the novels and the movies. Theories, reading vlogs and lists of “books that have made an emotional impact on me” and “books that will forever stay with me” would also be present.

On Bookstagram, the visuals of The Hunger Games could fit the platform as the community is known for its aesthetics. Visuals would include annotated pages with penned-in quotes, reactions drawn directly on the paper and post-it flags. Adding variety, there would also be photoshoots that suit the theme, group events and even character-inspired flatlays. 

Mockingjay pin. Image Courtesy of Kendra Miller

In Depth on How Social Media Influenced Book-to-Movie Adaptations

Studios are highly aware of online buzz. The presence of The Hunger Games on all social media platforms shows that the audience is passionate, vocal and invested in the books and movies. Fans discussed casting options, theories and edits before the release of the new films. Letting social media take over was like a marketing strategy and practically promoted the upcoming movies for free. So, when Suzanne Collins announced her latest books, the news spread so quickly that all the hashtags, edits, theories and videos pre-marketed them. That’s why the recent releases, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping received movie deals almost immediately; studios can see that people want them to happen.

Conclusion

Social media didn’t just help The Hunger Games maintain its popularity; it shaped how people interact. The early online communities built that foundation, and today’s BookTok and Bookstagram reinforced it and kept the fandom alive. As a result, it’s now a series that continues to succeed and it’s clear that online enthusiasm influences how quickly the books become movies. 

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Erin Murray is currently a second-year student in the Professional Writing Program at Algonquin College. She enjoys listening to moody instrumental music when writing, and once the temperature drops, loves carrying around a cup of tea. She’s had the on-and-off hobby of writing stories since high school, and dreams of having her own WIP traditionally published in the future. When Erin is not at her laptop, she’s thinking of a new novel idea or daydreaming about the one that is underway.

Sunrise on the Reaping: Fourth Hunger Games Adaptation?

Author Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games has recently welcomed its newest addition. Last year, it was announced that Sunrise on the Reaping, the new prequel novel in the popular series, was going to be released. In addition to that surprise announcement, it had also been revealed that they were going to begin a film adaptation of the, at the time, not yet released novel, and start production as soon as it's published.

Now, a year later, the teaser trailer for the film has been released and has taken over social media. The film is set to release on November 20th, 2026. Fans say that this is what they’ve been waiting for, and that this is no longer just your regular dystopian series. Suzanne Collins has created a well loved franchise and it keeps getting bigger and bigger and more loved.

Yearning Fans

Since the release of the final novel in the original Hunger Games trilogy, fans have been yearning for certain prequel novels for some of their favorite characters. And you best believe that this one has been on their list for over a decade.

Following the announcement of the Sunrise on the Reaping novel, the excitement from the fans blew up the internet. The screaming, the tears, the laughs and everything in between. All of the emotions were felt when this book came out. 

Sunrise on the reaper book cover, courtesy of Shakespeare and company

Suzanne Collins really gave the fans everything that they were hoping for and then some with this book. Even though she did come out with the first prequel, A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, nearly five years ago, a novel that was unexpected by fans, this novel, Sunrise on the Reaping, has already surpassed the ratings of its predecessor. This definitely shows that this one has been highly requested and may have been hidden away for far too long.

It’s Not Just the Book

Currently, when casting or figuring out how to adapt the film to follow the story, they can’t just be focusing on the book anymore. They have to look back at all of the previously made adaptations, as well as the novels, to help determine their path because it’s no longer just about the books. 

For example, it was an accurate casting for the character of Haymitch in the original trilogy. They had to base the casting for his younger self off of his original portrayal by Woody Harrelson, as well as taking the character details from the novel. Though I do have to say many of the casting choices for this film, when choosing the younger character selves, has been fairly accurate on both sides. 

Sunrise on the reaping Movie Poster, courtesy of IMDB

In continuation, when it comes to this film, they have to be careful with what they put in so that it doesn’t affect the previous films that were made. This production, however, has a more challenging aspect to it because not only does it have a prequel, but it also has the three main Hunger Games films for the “future”, so it has to be accurate to some descriptions that were previously given.

How Will it Compare?

Based on the past Hunger Games films, this one should be similar, to a certain extent. If it’s anything like the former movies, Sunrise on the Reaping will have its main plot and storyline still intact.

However, some smaller plotlines that could be deemed “unnecessary” might be left out for the sake of the movie. As an example of this from a previous film, Peeta was supposed to have a prostatic leg, but that didn’t happen in the film. So in the end, nothing major should be changed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this new Hunger Games film is highly anticipated by fans. They have been waiting for this moment for nearly a decade and finally, it’s nearly here. So far, all we know is that the casting is fantastic. Here’s to hoping that the entire film will be just as good as the cast and the book itself.

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Alyssa Simard is currently a student at Algonquin College’s Professional Writing Program. She spends her time with her family, reading, and watching shows and movies. She prefers to spend her time getting absorbed into fictional worlds, whether they’re her own creation or one that she’s read or watched. Her dream is to one day become a published romance author and share her love for reading and writing to the world.