Top 10 Saddest Deaths in The Hunger Games
Death in The Hunger Games is never just death. It's sacrifice, rebellion, consequence. It's what happens when you ask children to kill and expect them to stay quiet about it. And if you've read the books or watched the films, chances are a few of those deaths stuck with you long after the credits rolled or the final page turned.Some characters go out fighting. Others don't get the chance. Some leave behind aching silences, while others are ripped away mid-sentence, mid-smile, mid-dream. In a world where cruelty is broadcast for entertainment, the quietest losses can hurt the most. Not because of how they died, but because of who they were when they did.
These are the ones who should've had more time. The ones who made you grip the book a little tighter or blink a little faster. You felt the gut punch. The unfairness. The absolute fury that a character you rooted for, someone brave or kind or clever or just trying to make it through the day, didn't make it out alive. And sometimes it wasn't even about how long you knew them. A few lines, a few scenes, a single act of kindness could be enough.
Finnick's death will always be the saddest for me. It's not just because he was one of my favorite characters, but also because he finally had so much to live for.
Rue's death was very sad, but we all knew she wasn't going to make it. Prim's was very shocking, but at the same time, it was a loss that seemed to make sense with the story (that Katniss can't protect everyone). Finnick, on the other hand, could have very well survived if it weren't for those damn mutts.
He had a very hard life, having won the Games (and being forced to kill) at 14, and being forced into prostitution when he was still a child. He finally got married to the girl he loved, had a child on the way, and then he lost it all.
Rest in peace, Finnick Odair. You're a hero.
Sweet, sweet Rue. We all knew she was going to die, but that didn't make it any less sad.
The music played during her death in the movie really got me. She was so kind and innocent, and so young. Katniss' reaction is what really makes it all the more heartbreaking as she sings to her as she dies in her arms.
Her death was a heart-breaker! She was shy but bubbly, sweet but mature, and possessed extraordinary skills. She sacrificed her own life. How cruel the Capitol was to allow such a young and innocent girl to participate in these cruel and malicious events. Her death reflects everyone who sacrifices their life and dies innocent in the hands of the cruel and the malicious. Rue forever
The worst part about Prim's death is that everything Katniss did started with her, and in the end, she still couldn't save her.
She volunteered for her so she wouldn't die in the Games, she managed to escape the bombing of 12, and she still died in the end. As Katniss says, Prim is the perfect mix of all her family members. She's gentle, empathetic, and determined. She deserved so much better.
Katniss crying with Buttercup is one of the saddest parts of the entire series.
Prim's death was number one for me because it was so quick. You didn't even know Prim died when it happened because Katniss was trying not to be engulfed by fire. You find out in the next chapter, and you're just like, what the hell. But her death made me want to cry because it was so tragic the way that she died. I'm not saying that Rue's wasn't tragic, but I think Prim's was sadder.
I also feel really bad for Katniss after that happened. I mean, she went through the 74th and 75th Hunger Games and fought in the rebellion. Why did the author have to do that to her? Katniss describes how she feels nothing for a year, and that just makes me feel so despondent. Believe me, Rue's death was sad, but Prim's was sadder because Katniss was depressed for a year.
Cinna was basically Katniss' only real friend in the Capitol. He was so smart and down-to-earth, not letting all the Capitol ideals go to his head. He did so much for the rebellion, and it cost him his life.
Rest in peace, Cinna.
Cinna's death was the worst because in a strange way, he had actually started the rebellion. If he had not made those amazing costumes for Katniss and Peeta in the books/movies (by the way, the books will always be better), then Peeta would not have said he had a crush on Katniss in the interview. This would mean two tributes would not be allowed to win. Consequently, Katniss either would or wouldn't live (she would), and therefore, a revolution would not be born.
So, you can see that, after many steps, Cinna really is the creator of the rebellion. He died working for the project he started, which shows he was fully dedicated and that his death was the saddest.
Mags sacrificed herself first by volunteering for Annie (if Annie went into the Games, she could have been killed), then she was so friendly and kind towards Katniss. In the Games, she walked straight into the poisonous fog to save Peeta and play a part in saving Panem from the Capitol's horrible rule. It broke Finnick's heart to see her do that.
Mags was just a sweet old lady. She knew only one person would walk out of the arena alive, so she volunteered for Annie because of her mental state and the fact that most likely Finnick would be the male tribute. Annie and Finnick were in love, and she didn't want that to end. Then she walked into poisonous gas so Finnick could carry Peeta instead.
Cato was portrayed as vicious and villainous, but at the end of the day, he's just another kid trying to survive. It's not his fault he was brought up and trained from a young age.
His death was horrible because it took him so long to die, being shredded apart by the mutts until Katniss mercy-killed him.
I like Cato because he was so strong, arrogant, and bloodthirsty. (Boys like this stuff.)
Also, he is not entirely a "ruthless killing machine" because he loves Clove and holds her while she dies.
His death is so sad.
I don't hate Thresh for killing Clove, even though she was one of my favorites. He did what he had to do, brutal or not. He spared Katniss in kindness, and some may say he started the rebellion. I read it somewhere and it makes sense that he, Rue, and District 11 started the rebellion. They lit the spark and Katniss ignited the flame.
Thresh's death, I can imagine, was brutal because of Cato. But don't hate Cato because of it. Didn't Thresh kill Clove out of revenge for Rue? Cato killed Thresh for revenge for Clove. Even though we don't get to see his death, it was brutal. It was Cato. But most importantly, it was probably really sad.
She was incredibly smart. Wiress was overpowered by Cashmere and Gloss, and then... gone! Dead! Poof out of existence. I knew that there was no way both Katniss and Peeta would get out, so they needed to be rescued. They brought Johanna, Finnick, Beetee, and our favorites from District 12, but no Wiress. Still bitter about that.
She found out the trick to the clock. And her death was so sudden. Every time I think of her, my mind goes, "and the mouse ran up the clock..." Her dying words...
She was singing and then Gloss came up and slit her throat.
It was so depressing the way she called for Cato, plus the way she died was just so brutal. It was heartbreaking how she died in Cato's arms. She was just a kid.
Clove was begging for help and mercy. She knew she had no chance against Thresh. Just like I said for Cato, she needed Marvel or Cato (Glimmer is useless). This death also hurt Cato mentally because, although not everyone will agree, I think they were definitely in love in the books, affecting his chances of winning the game.
Guys, I know these characters' deaths were sad and all, but Clove deserves to win. I would vote for Cato too, but Clove's was way more emotional to me. Clove had trained all her life for the games, and when she finally volunteered, she had one of her best friends by her side. I read into things like this. I know Cato and Clove were friends before the games. It's a fact.
Clove always stayed by Cato's side, and Cato volunteered to keep Clove safe. In the movie, they made it look like he liked Glimmer. This is not the real thing, guys. He loved Clove. He used Glimmer as a toy to get sponsors because she was the "prettiest tribute" compared to the others. She had no skill, no talent, she only joined because she was full of herself. She didn't love Cato. She wanted him in dirty ways.
Cato didn't love her. He used her. When she was attacked by the Tracker Jackers, he didn't go back for her, book and movie. He never brought her up again. The way Clove calmed him down after the explosion, they were also obviously together when Marvel died. They sat by each other, looked after each other during the bloodbath. Everything. They had as much hope as Katniss and Peeta when they heard they could both win.
But the main explosion of Cato's love for Clove was when she died. Clove had begged him to let her kill Katniss herself, but Thresh got there first. When she was on the ground (book) and looked at the rock, she knew she would be killed. Her last words were "Cato," and Thresh threw the rock on her right temple. Cato was calling for her from the woods. He was too late. Katniss could tell the pain in his voice. He begged her to stay with him.
And Katniss ran away before we could hear what else he did. But I can assume he cried and broke things and hugged her and yelled. The pain I felt when I read these pages. They both wanted to win just like Katniss and Peeta had. People just don't want to consider the killer's feelings. I'm glad Cato avenged Clove... more
The Newcomers
I don't think Glimmer was bad. I like her. Just not in the movie when she's put with Cato. It's just not right and it wouldn't work. Her death is sad because she had no one, similar to Cato's and Marvel's deaths, but also unlike Clove's and Rue's, who at least had someone. My opinion on Glimmer and the rest of the Careers is good. I liked them all.
Of course, they killed, but that's what they were made to do. They had stories that we don't know about. Most likely, Glimmer and Marvel knew each other and possibly trained together like Cato and Clove. Her death was painful and slow. She was alone. It was one of the sadder and more brutal deaths.
This one has continued to hit me harder than the others. It was suicide, from what I understand, and like everyone is pointing out, she could have won. But maybe she knew that she had a chance. The tributes never really 'win' anyway, right? They just survive. She was smart, she probably knew that. I just can't help but feel like she knew she could have survived but didn't want to.
She was one of my favorite characters. I was so sad when she died! I am going to say it was suicide so that I can call her smart. Smart and sly people are the best! But I knew she couldn't live thanks to Katniss being the main character. I would think she could have won if Katniss wasn't the main character.
I cried when I read this in the novel, like her dying action is to sacrifice for Peeta. They were friends and also the male morphling. She drew a flower on Peeta's face.
Her death reminds me so much of Rue's. Rue, Prim, her. That's who I've cried for. Not Cinna, one of my favorites. Not Finnick. Not even Mags. Just the way it was written was so sad and sweet.
Was her name Morphling, or did they just call her that because she took Morphling?
It was so out of the blue. I mean, yes they were being chased by mutts, but I didn't think they would kill him. Although I was slightly relieved when I found out it was him, for a few minutes I thought it was his brother, who I had really bonded with. Now, before you get onto me, I have read the books. I know this doesn't apply with the books since you know it's Castor who dies, but I had watched the movie first, so it took me a bit longer to realize it was him.
He's not the saddest death. I get that. But it was just so touching how he helped his brother out when they had to go underground and how Pollux cried quietly after his death. Castor's death needs to be on here, and it's sad that some of these "little guys" are so underrated.
Katniss' friend, who gave her the mockingjay pin. In a way, Madge started everything because of that pin. She made Katniss the mockingjay before she even was a rebel.
I wish she could have survived and made it to 13, but alas. Rest in peace, Madge.
I always try to pick a minor character as my favorite since - SPOILERS FOR OTHER MAJOR BOOK SERIES AHEAD - all the bigger characters die: Fred Weasley, Lupin, Finnick, Prim. Although, having minor characters as favorites doesn't work out that well either. For Harry Potter, it was Colin Creevey, which didn't work out well. For Twilight, it was Bree Tanner, which was also a fail. And then for Hunger Games, it was Madge. I always liked her personality.
I don't hate Marvel for killing Rue. It's the games, and everyone wants to go home. In the film, he's aiming for Katniss who ducks, and it hits Rue instead. In the books, he spears her when she's trapped in a net. I don't hate him for it. He wanted to go home, and I doubt he wanted to kill a girl so young. He died alone, and most people overlook his death because it's at the same time as Rue's.
Tragically glanced over. This and Cato made the book for me. Forget Katniss and Peeta.
He was just paying his respects and was the start of the uprising, aside from Katniss's acts. The uprising grew significantly after his death.
President Snow: Don't start a rebellion, Katniss.
Katniss next day: I feel bad Rue died.
Man: whistles Rue's song.
Snow: How to stop a rebellion? Kill all rebels!
Kills man, so helps stop rebellion. Actually makes District Eleven angrier.
Snow: That was so right!
He didn't have a name, but I still found it an extremely sad death. He didn't do anything wrong.
While our time with her was brief, I got attached to this character. With her sister dying, she must have felt insane guilt. Then, when she was in the tunnels, she had to live with her dead sister, along with her own family thinking she was dead. I still had hope for her, but then the lizard mutts attacked. She stayed behind and sacrificed herself to help others escape.
Imagine the father seeing the other rebels coming out of the tunnels hoping that his daughter would be okay, only to find out she died protecting the remaining survivors. RIP Leeg 1, you legend.
This death, along with her brother's, is really just glossed over (see what I did there?). Think about it. She saw her brother go into the 63rd Hunger Games, knowing there was a good chance he would die. Imagine how sad she would have been and how relieved she would have been when he won. Then she went in the next year, knowing she herself might die. She wins. But now she has to mentor kids who are headed for the slaughter for 10 years, including Marvel and Glimmer.
Then she has to go back in, with her brother, knowing one of them will definitely die. And she sees her brother die. Suddenly, before she can do anything about it, she has an axe in her chest. Then Finnick, Katniss, and others leave the island and she isn't mentioned again for the rest of the series. Add in the fact that she probably was friends with her killer (Johanna) or at least knew her, and this character has a really sad death.
He was the worst character, but I liked him for some reason. Alma Coin deserved it.
President Snow's death is less than upsetting, and he definitely deserved to die.
Guys, seriously.
Think about if YOU were her. A little girl all alone and scared in a forest and she makes a fire. Suddenly, 5 large guys come towards her with a sword and she begs for mercy, but they stab her. And she spends her last hours agonizingly stabbed.
She died on day 1 by lighting a fire and getting killed. Not the smartest move. She probably got nothing from the cornucopia. I relate to her on a spiritual level.
I do feel bad for her because she was innocent, but she had to die in a very painful way and she's so young. Everyone's too young, but she died in the most agonizing way.
He was good friends with Haymitch and was good for a laugh. Him refusing to get a prosthetic hand shows he was modest and he was really nice to everybody.
Chaff was a sad death because he is one of Haymitch's friends and it must be hard for Chaff to go in the Hunger Games against people that he knows that can kill him.
We don't know him well, but I feel sad for his death. District 3 is like the best District and he was a brilliant tribute. I wish that he had made it farther into the games, maybe he would win.
I wrote a fan fiction where he survives and wins the Games. I wish it could be true in real life! District 3 is awesome!
Cato had a temper tantrum and killed him. Why do they let someone with anger issues into the Hunger Games?
This was my friend's favorite character! Even though she has never seen or read the Hunger Games, my friend loves her. I showed her a picture of the tributes, and she goes off about her death stare!
She wrote three stories about her. One where she kills interviewer 1. Another where she gets killed by Katniss at interviewer 1's funeral, and a third about her backstory. My friend hates Katniss for killing her in such a gruesome way.
I mean, we don't know how she really died, but man, do I wish there was a scene on her death! The book says she died because of tracker jackers but in the movie she wasn't even in the career pack! But, I think she survived the first day. I saw her in the movie running from the Cornucopia unharmed. She also injured my favorite character! That's okay because the District 3 female faked her death after that. -Thoress (this section was also by me, Thoress)
His death was so sad. He was so cute. I wish he could have lasted longer. I loved his curly hair and his face. But stupid Cato had to kill him. I hate Cato and his friends. This has nothing to do with the District 4 boy, but I love Katniss and Peeta. They are so cute together, they are my favorite characters.
This dude with awesome hair was so young. He should have hid until he heard the canons. Lots of screen time before the games. In the games, 15 seconds. If I were District 4, I would have volunteered for him. This should be in the top 10.
District 4 female didn't care. SO SAD!