Below, we've compiled five films based on books that follow this same line and are ideal for those who enjoyed The Hunger Games.
What Defines a Dystopia in Cinema?
Before moving to the list, it's worth understanding the concept. Dystopias are narratives set in fictional societies, usually in the future, where there is extreme state control, intense social inequality, or the collapse of institutions.
These stories function as warnings. Often, they reflect real problems — such as excessive surveillance, political manipulation, or environmental crises — leading viewers to question the present.
In Brazil, for example, debates about digital privacy, social inequality, and access to technology make these works even more relevant, bringing fiction closer to reality.
1. Maze Runner: The Maze Runner
Based on the book Maze Runner by James Dashner, the film Maze Runner: The Maze Runner presents a group of young people trapped in a mysterious maze, with no memory of their previous lives.
Why Watch? The work stands out for its constant tension and mystery. Like in The Hunger Games, characters are forced to fight for survival in an environment controlled by unknown forces.
Where to Watch: Available on platforms like Disney+ and Netflix, as well as digital rental.
2. Ready Player One
Inspired by the book Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, the film Ready Player One takes place in a future where the population seeks refuge in a virtual world.
Why Watch? The production mixes action with social criticism by showing a society that escapes reality through technology — an extremely current theme, considering the advancement of the metaverse and digital networks.
Where to Watch: Available on Netflix and HBO Max.
3. The 5th Wave
Based on the book The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, the film The 5th Wave follows a young woman trying to survive after devastating alien attacks.
Why Watch? The narrative relies on the emotional construction of the protagonist, in addition to presenting an invisible and progressive threat that resembles the climate of paranoia and distrust present in various modern dystopias.
Where to Watch: Available via rental on digital services and providers like Claro TV+.
4. Divergent
One of the genre's greatest successes, Divergent is based on the work by Veronica Roth.
Why Watch? The film presents a society divided into factions, where each individual must follow a single behavioral profile. The protagonist challenges this system by not fitting into any category — a concept that dialogues with debates about identity and individual freedom.
Where to Watch: Available on platforms like Lionsgate+.
5. The Giver
Based on the classic The Giver by author Lois Lowry, the film The Giver presents an apparently perfect society, but without emotions.
Why Watch? The work stands out for addressing a quieter dystopia, focused on emotional control and the absence of choices. It is a reference to how controlling emotions and limiting freedom can be forms of oppression.
Where to Watch: Available on various digital platforms.
