The Hunger Games films were shot in various locations to bring the dystopian world of Panem to life. Adapted from Suzanne Collins’ young adult trilogy, the movies recreated key settings like the Capitol and District 12. Production ran from 2011 to 2014, with Catching Fire and both parts of Mockingjay filmed consecutively. Thanks to Lionsgate’s substantial budget, the films featured visually captivating scenes shot in diverse locations.
Set in a dystopian version of the United States, the films were primarily shot in the U.S. The first movie was filmed entirely in North Carolina, while Catching Fire and Mockingjay used additional locations such as Atlanta, Hawaii, and Paris. The movies effectively depicted the rugged, impoverished District 12, inspired by the coal-rich Appalachian region, as well as the lavish Capitol and the varied settings of the Arena in the 74th Hunger Games and the Quarter Quell.
Where was “The Hunger Games” Filmed?
The film was mostly shot in the western part of North Carolina, between Asheville and Charlotte. Filming took place from May 23, 2011 to September 10, 2011. Here are the main filming locations:
District 12
Henry River Mill Village: This is an old village about 50 miles northwest of Charlotte. It was built in the 1920s and now is a ghost town. In the movie, it is shown as District 12. It has the house of Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence) and the bakery where Peeta (played by Josh Hutcherson) works. The buildings are not safe to enter, so you should only look from outside.
Forest Scenes
Pisgah National Forest: The forest where Katniss spends time with Gale (played by Liam Hemsworth) is called Big Ivy Area. This place is also known as the Coleman Boundary. It is near Barnardsville on Route 197 / North Forks Road, northeast of Asheville. It has many trails for hiking or biking and is a beautiful and rugged area.
Shelby, North Carolina
Shelby: About 30 miles south of Henry River Mill Village, the town of Shelby was used for some scenes. The warehouses west of South Lafayette Street were used as District 12’s Hob. The Reaping Ceremony, where tributes are chosen, was filmed here. Buildings on South Morgan Street were used for the district’s industrial area.
Capitol Scenes
Philip Morris Cabarrus Plant: This old plant in Concord, west of Charlotte, was used for the Capitol scenes. It is a large building and was used for various scenes including the training center and parts of Districts 7 and 13.
Charlotte Convention Center: The grand entrance of the tributes in chariots, where Katniss earns her nickname ‘The Girl on Fire,’ was filmed here. The Convention Center is located at 501 South College Street, Charlotte.
Knight Theater: The pre-Game interviews by Caesar Flickerman (played by Stanley Tucci) were filmed at this theater. It is located at 430 South Tryon Street in Charlotte.
Arena Scenes
North Fork Reservoir: The Cornucopia scenes, where tributes find survival packs, were filmed here. The reservoir is near Black Mountain, about 20 miles northeast of Asheville. Access is restricted, but you can view it from the Craggy Pinnacle Trail.
DuPont State Forest: The forest where a forest fire is created is called DuPont State Forest. It is about ten miles southwest of Hendersonville. Katniss finds Peeta in this forest. The forest is located in Henderson and Transylvania Counties. It is also seen in the film The Last of the Mohicans (1992).
These locations helped bring the world of The Hunger Games to life, from the poor District 12 to the luxurious Capitol and the dangerous Arena.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – The Hunger Games
Q: Where was The Hunger Games filmed?
A: The movie was filmed in various locations in North Carolina, including Henry River Mill Village, Pisgah National Forest, Shelby, Charlotte, and DuPont State Forest.
Q: When was The Hunger Games filmed?
A: The filming of The Hunger Games took place from May 23, 2011 to September 10, 2011
Q: Where was District 12’s home and bakery filmed?
A: District 12’s home and bakery scenes were filmed in Henry River Mill Village near Hildebran, North Carolina.
Q: Where did they film the Capitol scenes?
A: The Capitol scenes were filmed at the old Philip Morris Cabarrus Plant in Concord and the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte.
Q: When was The Hunger Games released?
A: The Hunger Games was released in theaters on March 23, 2012.
