The Hunger Games franchise is full of devastatingly tragic moments that linger in the mind long after credits roll, with a small handful of scenes standing out for being particular tearjerkers. The very concept of The Hunger Games is a terribly sad one, forcing innocent tributes from various Districts to fight one another to the death for sport.

The saddest moments in The Hunger Games movies, like any story, usually revolve around death and loss. From the earliest moments of the 74th Hunger Games to the later stages of President Coin’s rebellion staged around Katniss, the series has had its fill of tragedy.

10

Rue’s Death In The 74th Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

Perhaps the single most archetypal death in the entirety of The Hunger Games movies is the death of Rue, the young tribute from District 11. Rue is killed when a career tribute from District 1, Marvel, finds her and stabs her to death, giving her just enough time to bleed out in Katniss’ arms.

The camaraderie between Rue and Katniss as nature-lovers from poorer districts makes her death hit particularly hard. It doesn’t hurt that actress Amandla Stenberg is adorable in the role, and the face she gives Katniss as she slowly succumbs to her injuries leaves a lasting mark on the soul of anyone watching.

9

Wovey’s Death In The 10th Hunger Games

The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes

The Hunger Games franchise was reinvigorated by the movie adaptation of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a prequel story that examines how President Snow was able to come to power after serving as a Mentor in the 10th Annual Hunger Games. The equivalent to Rue in these games is Wovey, a small girl from District 8.

Wovey is a small, innocent tribute who represents the cruelty of the games, forcing children of such young ages into brutal life-or-death scenarios. Though she survives much of the games by hiding in the tunnels, the moment where she perishes in a deluge of venomous snakes is one of the most heartbreaking beats in the entire film.

8

Sejanus’ Hanging

The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes

Another horrific execution in The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes is that of Sejanus, a rebel sympathizer who is targeted despite hailing from the upper crust of District 2. Sejanus is sentenced to the hangman’s noose, exemplifying how even those in power aren’t safe when speaking up for the oppressed.

What makes Sejanus’ death particularly haunting is the way he cries out for his mother right before his execution, causing a flock of Jabberjays to echo his last words in a chilling chorus of misery. The fact that he was betrayed by his close friend only rubs salt into the wound even further.

7

Cinna Says Goodbye

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Part of the cruelty of the games is how they play with the tributes’ emotions, as demonstrated in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. As Katniss’ stylist and close prized ally, Cinna is one of the most heroic figures in the entire series, putting his life on the line to help Katniss deliver powerful messages with the symbolic flaming dress.

Cinna’s aiding and abetting of Katniss and the rebels’ agenda finally catches up to him right before the Quarter Quell, where he’s ᴀssaulted by Peacekeepers just as Katniss ascends the tube to the games, surely dragged off to his death. Katniss’ abject horror at having to witness such a crucial ally and friend’s death is simply devastating.

6

Finnick Is Mauled By Muttations

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 proved that even characters with the greatest chance of survival weren’t safe from the chopping block in the franchise, as painfully illustrated by Finnick’s death. Finnick is a golden boy of the rebellion, a charismatic leader and capable Hunger Games veteran who is almost as important as Katniss.

A warrior to the bitter end, Finnick’s demise at the hands of the terrifying eyeless Muttations in the sewer is made all the worse by the fact that it’s easy to genuinely believe he’ll somehow fight them all off. But even his skill is no match for their sheer numbers, and Katniss’ decision to detonate the explosives and grant him a swift end makes the beat all the harsher.

5

Katniss’ Improvised Speech About Rue And Thresh

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

If there’s one thing Katniss became known for as a tribute before the open rebellion began, it was straying from the plan. Rue’s death and Thresh’s sparing of Katniss as a result of it attracted a lot of attention, something Peet and Katniss address by going off-script in their dreaded Victory Tour.

Peeta already defies the cards by promising monthly donations to Rue and Thresh’s families, but Katniss heartbreaking speech that follows it up is one of the most poignant and emotional moments in the entire series. It’s hard not to shed a tear as Katniss directly addresses Rue’s family, but the chaos that happens after is even more upsetting.

4

Peeta Is Hijacked

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1

After being stuck in the Capitol, Peeta is treated to a process called “Highjacking”, in which trackerjacker venom is used to brainwash an unwilling torture victim. The result of this Highjacking is seeing Katniss as a vile enemy, causing him to attack her on sight when the two finally reunite in the hospital.

Seeing the hatred and vitriol in Peeta’s eyes as he regards Katniss is a devastating beat in the series, as it represents how the fascist leadership of Panem is even able to manipulate emotions and thoughts. It’s gutting to see Peeta not in his right mind, but it does raise an interesting theory regarding Katniss and Peeta’s romance.

3

Mags Sacrifices Herself

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

One of the saddest stories of the 75th Quarter Quell is the old victor Mags, who volunteers in order to take the place of Annie. A mentor to Finnick Odair, Mags has a close, almost motherly relationship with him, eventually making the ultimate sacrifice in order to keep his allies safe.

Mags running into the poisonous fog to buy the other tributes more time is a brutal way to go. Due to her age, Mags’ survival was already a delicate question, but she makes it just long enough to provide some glimmer of hope she might only for it to be cruelly taken away.

2

Prim’s Death In The Bombing Run

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2

One of the most climactic moments in the entire series, Prim’s death in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 is arguably the emotional finale of the initial franchise. Serving as a medic, Prim becomes a casualty of Gale and President Coin’s cruel plan to exploit civilians in the Capitol with a grisly bombing run.

Seeing Katniss recognize her sister among the medic team ᴀssisting survivors for just as split second only for a second wave of bombs to go off is pure grief. It’s no wonder that this moment has a big enough impact on her to shock everyone by killing President Coin in retaliation.

1

Katniss & ʙuттercup Reunite

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2

As devastating as actually seeing Prim’s death is, somehow the emotional gravity of it doesn’t truly hit until Katniss finally makes her way back to her old home, finding Prim’s cat, ʙuттercup, living there. Hit with a powerful wave of sadness upon seeing the creature, Katniss breaks down, the compound trauma of the rebellion finally hitting her.

Seeing Katniss scream in rage at ʙuттercup only to break down sobbing, petting her for comfort, is by far the most emotionally impactful moment in the franchise. As a clear symbol of her sister, the emotional reunion encapsulates the distilled tragedy of The Hunger Games as a whole.