20 Behind-The-Scenes Facts From The Hunger Games

The first Hunger Games movie had a relatively low budget in the scheme of things. $78 million might sound like a lot, but is nothing compared to some blockbuster budgets. It isn’t even that much compared to the movie’s sequels!

Considering how beautiful The Hunger Games looks, and how it holds up even in today’s standards despite its ripe old birth date of 2012, it is surprising to hear it wasn’t granted too much money. Its sequel, Catching Fire, got a huge $130 million to splash out with, while Mockingjay Part 1 got around $125 million, and Mockingjay Part 2 topped the charts at $160 million. Anybody else’s wallet quaking in its boots?

The popularity of the franchise meant Lionsgate could afford to pay its actors more, as well as harness more much-needed special effects. New shooting locations were also added, aiding to help make the price tag soar.