The Hunger Games films center on varying themes ranging from despair, grief, and the loss of innocence with constant exposure to trauma, highlighting the real fragility of human life.
The film series had arguably some of the most difficult decisions involving who deserves to live and die as the tributes battle to the death in a desperate plea to survive. Some deaths from The Hunger Games were unexpected while others were imminent, but each one piled on a new layer of grief and trauma for the main characters that they struggled to overcome as they strived to win the games. Fans are likely preparing themselves for even more of the saddest Hunger Games deaths in another prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, set to be released in 2026. It’s the perfect time to revisit some of the beloved characters from the franchise who unfortunately didn’t make it.
20
President Snow
Played by Donald Sutherland
President Snow (Donald Sutherland) was the overarching antagonist of The Hunger Games trilogy, actively feeding into a corrupt, despicable, and merciless system. But after watching the prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, we realize that the system has corrupted him as much as he supports it later in his life.
Watching the trilogy alone may not incite much empathy for Snow when the angry mob of the Capitol gets their hands on him in the final movie, but watching the prequels paints the moment in a different light. Instead, it finalizes Snow’s villain arc, giving us an unsettling and profound feeling of loss, as the sparks of humanity we saw in Tom Blyth‘s Coriolanus disappear for good. —Jasneet Singh
19
Seneca Crane
Played by Wes Bentley
Like Snow, Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) isn’t a name that comes to mind when thinking of The Hunger Games’ saddest deaths, since he was the game master in the first film. Though he did make life excruciating for the tributes in the arena, he was also the one that called off rescinding the “two people can win” rule, allowing both Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) to survive. Though he was preserving the games’ and Capitol’s optics, Snow punishes Crane by locking him in a room with nightlock berries.
Crane’s death is both jarring and haunting, as it is the first time we see evidence of unrest within the Capitol — they are not an arbitrary, united monster that are advocating for these games. His position as the game master specifically makes it all the more chilling, revealing that even they are not exempt from the brutality and lack of pity elicited by the games. —Jasneet Singh
18
Alma Coin
Played by Julianne Moore
Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) was from the destroyed District 13 and led the rebellion against the Capitol with Katniss as the Mockingjay. She began as a beacon of hope for the districts, touting freedom propaganda that incited bloodlust while also being sharp and cold enough to stand for effective yet brutal strategies. However, as she kept creeping onto the other side, she started to mirror Snow’s cruelty.
Katniss assassinates Coin instead of Snow at the latter’s execution after Coin announces holding one last Hunger Games for the Capitol’s children as revenge. This quick, abrupt, and unexpected death that Katniss favored over the “big bad” of the series reminded us who the villain truly was: the depraved part of humanity that allows revenge or greed to create events like the games. Coin’s death also has a disheartening impact because of how quickly and viscerally she turns into Snow right before our eyes, unlike her predecessor’s years of presidency. —Jasneet Singh
17
Glimmer
Played by Levin Rambin
Glimmer (Levin Rambin) is the female tribute from District 1 who is reaped for the 74th Hunger Games, and her death is arguably the most brutal of the film. She’s a career tribute, meaning from pretty much the time she was born, she’s been training for the Hunger Games. She teams up with the other career tributes in the arena, and they set their sights on Katniss pretty quickly. Katniss has her own skills, though, and is able to outsmart them by climbing a high tree that they can’t reach. Instead, they decide to wait her out and sleep at the bottom of the tree, theorizing that she’ll have to come down eventually. This decision ultimately leads to Glimmer’s death.
Katniss cuts down a branch that contains a nest full of Tracker Jackers, and sends it plummeting to the ground where Glimmer and the other Careers are sleeping. All of them manage to get away with but a few stings except for Glimmer, who screams manically for help, but is ultimately left behind as the Tracker Jackers relentlessly sting her. When Katniss finally comes down, Glimmer’s face and body are so swollen from the stings that she is unrecognizable. It’s one of the most brutal and painful deaths in the film. —Samantha Graves
16
Dill
Played by Luna Steeples
Dill (Luna Steeples) is the female tribute of District 11, and she’s an especially tragic character because she was already on the brink of death before she was reaped. Meaning her chances of surviving the games were very low, no matter what. She has tuberculosis, and so she is frail when she arrives – she’s even seen coughing during her reaping. She allies with her district partner, Reaper, who protects her from an attack early on and helps her hide out in the tunnels.
Her demise is accidental. She emerges from the tunnels and drinks from a water bottle that, unbeknownst to her, was poisoned by Lucy Gracy (Rachel Zegler). She succumbs pretty quickly to the poison as Lucy Gray watches horrified, since Dill was not her intended target. It’s such a sad fate for an already sad character. —Samantha Graves
15
Thresh
Played by Dayo Okeniyi
Thresh’s (Dayo Okeniyi) death in the first games was minimized to hurry along the events of the Hunger Games. It was immediately followed by a vicious attack on the remaining tributes, making it more of a moment of suspense over the impending threat.
Nevertheless, Thresh’s loss was notable as he was an easily likable character – he showed affection and care for Rue, as well as mercy for Katniss. Despite being one of the strongest characters in the movie, he didn’t strike as someone who enjoyed the games but was a reluctant participant who wanted to survive.
14
Cato
Played by Alexander Ludwig
Cato (Alexander Ludwig) was viewed with disdain and disgust from the start due to his bloodthirsty, aggressive demeanor and disregard, often treating others like prey. While Cato’s behavior was demonstrative of the level of cruelty in the games, being from District 2 showed how his ingrained upbringing shaped the belief that the Hunger Games is an achievement of survival skills, glory, and honor.
After being a pawn in the game, he had a moment of clarity realizing how he lived his life striving to kill for pride. Although many viewers weren’t hesitant to see him go, especially at the expense of saving Katniss and Peeta’s lives, Cato’s haunting cries of distress and suffering were disturbingly upsetting.
13
Castor
Played by Wes Chatham
Castor (Wes Chatham) worked as a cameraman in the Capitol until he escaped with his brother Pollux to help the rebel cause. Although his character arc wasn’t explored, the film touches on Pollux’s experiences after being turned into an Avox and sent to work as an underground servant.
Moments before his death, he reassures his brother who breaks down at the thought of returning underground. Although his shocking death was quick in the movie, it was heartbreaking to see the palpable grief and devastation for Pollux who spent years trying to escape the tunnels until Castor saved him. Only for Pollux to lose Castor to the same tunnels, making them a truly horribly traumatic reminder for Pollux.
12
Foxface
Played by Jacqueline Emerson
Though Foxface (Jacqueline Emerson) had very limited screen time, her death has become haunting after theories surfaced about it being suicide. She established herself as someone who was agile, wily, and intelligent, but most notably, hada decent knowledge of poisonous plants as seen during her training. When she steals the nightlock berries from Peeta, it could have been an accident resulting in her death, or self-inflicted.
Either way leads to a disconcerting implication. If it was unintentional, then it becomes disturbing how Foxface’s greatest strength failed her at a crucial time, especially since she was relying on it to survive for this long. On the other hand, being so close to the final tributes and committing suicide is another melancholy thought, demonstrating the psychological toll of the games. —Jasneet Singh
11
Reaper
Played by Dmitri Abold
Reaper (Dmitri Abold) was the District 11 male tribute, and though he initially put up a cold and intimidating front, he ends up being one of the most important characters of the 10 Hunger Games. He allies himself with his district partner Dill (Luna Steeples) and vows to protect her at all costs. Her inevitable death affects him so much that he creates a makeshift morgue, lining up all of the bodies and tearing down the Panem flag to cover them and give them some modesty in their death.
His death comes shortly after this act. He warns Wovey against approaching the tank of snakes, but when it bursts and the snakes kill her, they come directly for him next. He doesn’t attempt to fight back, just lets the snakes cover him and kill him as well, having fully given up. It’s a heartbreaking moment, but devastingly beautiful as well. Reaper notably didn’t kill anyone during the games, only relying on intimidation, so his death feels especially cruel and undeserved. —Samantha Graves