You know the feeling – you’re scrolling through Netflix, looking for a good movie to watch, and suddenly you realize one of your favorites is gone. Where did it go? That sinking feeling hit a lot of us when The Hunger Games disappeared from Netflix.
We did some digging to get to the bottom of the disappearance. Turns out, there are a few reasons streaming services pull popular shows and movies. Copyrights, expiring licenses, and business deals all play a part.
Join us as we break down exactly why Netflix removed The Hunger Games and what it means for the future of the series on streaming.
Background on the Hunger Games Movies and Netflix
When the first Hunger Games movie came out in 2012, we were instantly hooked. The trilogy captured our imagination with its dystopian world, intense action, and star-crossed lovers.
For years, we eagerly awaited each new installment, counting down the days until we could stream it on Netflix and re-watch our favorite scenes.
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Unfortunately, licensing deals eventually expire, and that’s what happened with The Hunger Games. In early 2021, Netflix’s license to stream the franchise ended, forcing them to pull all four films from their library.
While upsetting for fans, this is pretty standard – Netflix regularly rotates content as licensing agreements end and new deals are negotiated.
Will They Return?
The big question is whether Netflix will bring back The Hunger Games movies. There’s a decent chance they will at some point, especially if fans want them.
But Netflix focuses more on its own shows, big movies from other studios may not be as important. The movies could end up on Hulu, Amazon Prime, or the new HBO Max instead.
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As fans of the Hunger Games, we were disappointed to find the movies suddenly vanish from Netflix. What gives? Turns out there are a few reasons the dystopian trilogy was removed.
Licensing Issues
The main reason is probably licensing issues. Netflix borrows shows and movies for a set time, usually a few years. Once that time is up, the studio can decide not to renew or ask for way more money to keep it.
With how popular Hunger Games is, Lionsgate may have chosen not to renew or asked for too high a price when Netflix didn’t want to pay that much.
Promoting Other Services
Another possibility is that Lionsgate, which owns the rights to the Hunger Games, wanted to promote its own streaming service.
By pulling the movies from Netflix, Lionsgate can drive more people to subscribe to its service if they want to stream the films. This tactic is becoming more common as more companies launch their own streaming platforms.
Making Room for New Content
Netflix sometimes removes movies and shows to make room for new content. With a limited budget, Netflix has to choose what stays and what goes.
The Hunger Games trilogy may have been cut to pay for other shows Netflix thought subscribers would like more.
Where to Stream the Hunger Games Movies Now That They Are No Longer on Netflix
Unfortunately, Netflix removed The Hunger Games film series from their platform in 2021. We were bummed too – it was so convenient having the whole trilogy available to stream whenever the mood struck for some YA dystopian action.
But don’t worry, we’ve scouted out some alternative streaming options so you can still get your Panem fix.
Hulu
Hulu now has The Hunger Games trilogy available to stream in its entirety. They offer a few pricing plans, including one with ads for $5.99/month or an ad-free option for $11.99/month.
Amazon Prime Video
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you’re in luck. All three Hunger Games films are included with your subscription at no extra cost.
Google Play and YouTube
You can purchase or rent The Hunger Games trilogy to stream through Google Play or YouTube. Renting each movie will cost around $3.99, while buying them in HD is $9.99 each.
While not a subscription, this à la carte option works if you just want to watch the movies once in a while or don’t have another streaming service.
Wrapping Up
Well guys, Netflix took The Hunger Games movies off for now. We don’t know exactly why, but it’s probably because of business stuff with contracts and licenses.