Quentin Tarantino shared his critical viewpoint on The Hunger Games during a recent appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, bringing up Battle Royale and accusing author Suzanne Collins of heavily borrowing from it. His comments reignited debate among critics about originality and influence in Hollywood, especially in reference to his Quentin Tarantino Battle Royale opinion.
Comparing Battle Royale and The Hunger Games
Tarantino, whose own films like Kill Bill and Inglourious Basterds often spark discussion for their boldness, did not hold back when discussing Collins’s bestselling series. He positioned Kinji Fukasaku’s 2000 dystopian action film Battle Royale at #11 on his list of top 21st-century movies, describing the plot of junior high school students forced into deadly combat by a totalitarian Japanese government. By contrast, The Hunger Games presents a dystopian world called Panem, where the Capitol selects children from each of its twelve districts to fight for their lives on live television.
Tarantino did not mince words, directly questioning why copyright issues were never seriously raised.
“I do not understand how the Japanese writer didn’t sue Suzanne Collins for every f***ing thing she owns,”
— Quentin Tarantino, filmmaker.
He further added,
“They just ripped off the f***ing book! Stupid book critics are not going to go watch a Japanese movie called ‘Battle Royale,’ so the stupid book critics never called her out on it.”
— Quentin Tarantino, filmmaker.
As Tarantino explained, literary critics praised The Hunger Games as an entirely new concept.
“They talked about how it was the most original thing they’d ever f***ing read. As soon as the film critics saw the film they said, ‘What the [frick]! This is just Battle Royale except PG!’”
— Quentin Tarantino, filmmaker.
Personal Experience With Battle Royale
Tarantino also shared his initial reaction to seeing Fukasaku’s film.
Image of: Quentin Tarantino
“I had no idea what the f*** was about to see. And holy f***ing shit! I don’t even know what I saw. It was so wild. Three months later I was at the Seattle Film Festival. They were going to be showing ‘Battle Royale’ at midnight. Nobody had seen this in America yet. I got to the midnight screening and that was one of the most exciting screenings as I waited for the movie to start.”
— Quentin Tarantino, filmmaker.
He described his anticipation in the theater as unique and thrilling.
“I knew what they were going to see. This is going to deliver more than they even know!”
— Quentin Tarantino, filmmaker.
“They are not prepared for how this is going to deliver. To have that knowledge was power.”
— Quentin Tarantino, filmmaker.
Tarantino’s Top 21st Century Films: Numbers 20 to 11
While Tarantino’s top ten selections are still pending, he revealed his picks ranked from 20 to 11 for the best films of this century so far, a list sure to spark discussion among critics and fans alike. His current selections are:
20. West Side Story
19. Cabin Fever
18. Moneyball
17. Chocolate
16. The Devil’s Rejects
15. The Passion of the Christ
14. School of Rock
13. Jackass: The Movie
12. Big Bad Wolves
11. Battle Royale
The Hunger Games Franchise Continues
Suzanne Collins has not commented on Tarantino’s criticisms or his outspoken Quentin Tarantino Battle Royale opinion. Despite ongoing debates regarding similarities to Japanese films, The Hunger Games series remains popular and is moving forward. The upcoming film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, is set for release on November 20, 2026.
“Let the 50th Hunger Games begin.”
— The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping promotional statement.
Assessing the Ongoing Debate
Tarantino’s pointed remarks have renewed interest in the connections and influences between Eastern and Western cinematic works. Key voices such as critics, filmmakers, and audiences now reconsider how originality is viewed within Hollywood and international storytelling. As The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping approaches its release date, discussion around the franchise’s source material and its similarities to Battle Royale remains a topic of interest for industry watchers and fans alike.
“Let the 50th Hunger Games begin.”
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters & IMAX November 20, 2026. pic.twitter.com/QrViO2Ss1t
