Multiple girls dressed as the heroic protagonist Katniss walked down the theater aisle, while groups of girls and the occasional boy walked together sporting t-shirts bearing the names “Cato,” “Peeta,” and “Gale” on the back. Theater 3 was packed; the sound of popcorn crunching and straw wrappers unraveling silenced as soon as the “Lion Gates” opened.

The Hunger Games book series was released back in September 2008, but recently the series has faced a wave of popularity.

The three-book series written by Suzanne Collins features a dystopian society created after a cataclysm in the North American country known as Panem, plagued by annual “Hunger Games,” in which each district must offer two “tributes.” The first book in the series, titled Hunger Games, has remained on The New York Times bestseller list for more than 160 consecutive weeks.

The midnight premiere of the first of three movies took place on Friday, March 23. On that Thursday, students around Dartmouth High were abuzz with excitement hoping for a movie that could match the magnitude of the books.

The trailer had been released Monday, November 14, and already people were noting discrepancies and missing details.

Sophomore Simone Gafitanu said, “I’m kind of upset that they didn’t put Madge in the movie. They mixed up the story of the Mockingjay pin.”

Senior Gina Georgadarellis said, “Sometimes books are ruined by the movies. They don’t meet expectations, so I’m not sure I’m going to see it, even though I loved the books.”

The film’s director, Gary Ross, has written box-office hits, such as Pleasantville, Seabiscuit, and Big.

Jennifer Lawrence plays the main character Katniss, while Liam Hensworth portrays Gale. Peeta Mellark is played by Josh Hutcherson.

Senior Matt Ferreira said, “Katniss is so hot; she has that bad girl appeal.”

Senior Emily Foley went all out for the midnight premiere. Dressed as Katniss in cargo pants, black t-shirt equipped with poison berries and the iconic mockingjay pin, she was extremely satisfied with the movie.

“My expectations were very high for the movie. There were a lot of bold details in the book that could have easily been misinterpreted such as everything relating to the Capitol (outfits and people) and Katniss's need to protect everyone around her,” she said. “The movie did a phenomenal job portraying these in a realistic way.”

According to CBS News, The Hunger Games brought in $155 million in the opening weekend. This is the third-best debut, following closely behind the Harry Potter finale and The Dark Knight.

Although the succession of the Hunger Games movies depends on the success of this first one, movie watchers predict the series will be completed in theaters. Avid Hunger Games readers rejoice at the hopes for successive movies. Senior Kathryn Hiller said, “Katniss and Peeta forever!!”

The Hunger Games provide an appeal to many different audiences. Even some English classes at Dartmouth High School have read The Hunger Games as part of the curriculum.

Foley said, “I don't think people should judge The Hunger Games as another book series turned movie that all the teen girls are raving about; these books attract everyone.”