<P> The film was released on March 21 , 2012 , in some European countries and in the US on March 23 , 2012 , in both conventional theaters and digital IMAX theaters . Japan received it last , on September 28 . When the film released , it set records for opening day ( $67.3 million ) and opening weekend for a non-sequel . At the time of its release , the film 's opening weekend gross ( $152.5 million ) was the third - largest of any movie in North America . It is the first film since Avatar to remain in first place at the North American box office for four consecutive weekends . The film was a massive box - office success by grossing over $694 million worldwide against its budget of $78 million , making it the third - highest - grossing film in the United States and ninth highest - grossing film of 2012 . It was released on DVD and Blu - ray Disc on August 18 , 2012 . With 7,434,058 units sold , the DVD was the best - selling DVD of 2012 . A sequel , The Hunger Games : Catching Fire , was released on November 22 , 2013 , in the United States . </P>
<P> The film was released on March 21 , 2012 , in some European countries and in the US on March 23 , 2012 , in both conventional theaters and digital IMAX theaters . Japan received it last , on September 28 . When the film released , it set records for opening day ( $67.3 million ) and opening weekend for a non-sequel . At the time of its release , the film 's opening weekend gross ( $152.5 million ) was the third - largest of any movie in North America . It is the first film since Avatar to remain in first place at the North American box office for four consecutive weekends . The film was a massive box - office success by grossing over $694 million worldwide against its budget of $78 million , making it the third - highest - grossing film in the United States and ninth highest - grossing film of 2012 . It was released on DVD and Blu - ray Disc on August 18 , 2012 . With 7,434,058 units sold , the DVD was the best - selling DVD of 2012 . A sequel , The Hunger Games : Catching Fire , was released on November 22 , 2013 , in the United States . </P>
when did the first hunger games come out
when did the first hunger games come out
March 21 , 2012
March 21 , 2012