2) The Hunger Games (2012 – 2013)
- 2 films (so far) with a combined budget: $208 million
- International Box Office: $1.3 billion
- Comparable to: 4 Bourne movies ($1.2 billion), 3 Hangover movies (1.4 billion), 4 Die Hard movies (1.4 billion)
Based on the series of novels of the same name by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games franchise is a series of dystopian adventure films starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. In the stories, North America lies in ruins, with its people living primitive lives. As an annual intimidation tactic on the part of the government, and in response to a past uprising, each of the 12 districts of the Capitol, Panem, must send a teenage boy and girl aged between 12 and 18 years to compete in The Hunger Games, as ‘Tributes.’ The Games are televised nationally, and the teenagers must fight to the death until only a single survivor remains.
Jennifer Lawrence plays the lead role – Katniss Everdeen. She volunteers for The Games in her younger sister’s place, and finds herself in the arena with her fellow Tribute, Peeta, played by Josh Hutcherson. Throughout the stories, Katniss is faced with life or death choices, and morally questionable options in a morally questionable world. Through her circumstances, she swiftly becomes a leader – outsmarting her rivals and repeatedly saving the life of her fellow Tribute, Peeta. By the close of the second film, Katniss is on her way to becoming a fully-fledged rebel leader, with not only the eyes of family and friends on her, but also those of the nation.
The Hunger Games delivers a female leader in this dystopian setting, just as Ridley Scott delivered the same in his space-based horror franchise, Alien. Katniss Everdeen stands alone in the face of unimaginable terror, with those behind her looking to her for reassurance, guidance and protection. The fates of many fall to her, and she bears the responsibility with determination and focus.