When Will ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ Be Available to Stream?

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is already topping the box office, but when will it be available to stream? 

Based on Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name, the Hunger Games prequel follows a young Coriolanus Snow as he’s chosen as a mentor in the 10th annual Hunger Games and paired with a District 12 tribute named Lucy Gray. 

With all the action-packed scenes and subtle references to the original franchise, it’s no wonder fans want to rewatch the movie. 

Though all four Hunger Games movies are available to watch online, you’ll have to wait a little while longer before tuning into the prequel from the comfort of your own home. 

Here’s everything to know about how to watch The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, including when it will likely be available to stream. 

When did The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes release in theaters?

Following the film’s world premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on Nov. 13, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was released in theaters on Nov. 17. The movie quickly topped the box office during its opening weekend, with an estimated $44 million in North America and a total of $98.5 million worldwide, per Entertainment Weekly. 

How long is The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ theatrical release window?

It’s unclear how long The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ theatrical release window is, however, past Lionsgate releases have had a window of 30 to 45 days. It’s possible the film could end up staying in theaters looger depending on how well it does at the box office. 

When will The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes be available to stream?

Though Lionsgate hasn’t announced an official streaming release date, the film will likely be released on digital in early 2024, based on a new DVD exclusive for the film. 

Shortly after the film’s release, Walmart made their new steelbook exclusive (a special release of the DVD in a steel case, rather than the usual plastic) of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes available for preorder, which is anticipated to ship on Jan. 2, 2024. 

Where will The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes be available to stream?

In March 2021, Lionsgate signed a multiyear theatrical output agreement with Starz, giving the streaming service “an exclusive first window for Lionsgate label films,” per The Hollywood Reporter.

In April 2022, it was announced that Lionsgate and Roku had struck a deal, which would make Lionsgate films available to stream on the Roku Channel following their run on Starz, per Deadline. 

The following month, it was announced that Lionsgate had signed “a multiyear movie output deal with Peacock for all theatrically released Lionsgate films, starting with the studio’s 2022 slate.” Under the new deal, which The Hollywood Reporter explicitly stated would include The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, movies will head exclusively to Peacock and NBCUniversal networks for their Pay 2 window (the time when it becomes available on secondary platforms after the initial exclusive).

With all this in mind, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will likely be available to stream on Starz and the Roku Channel first before eventually heading to Peacock for its Pay 2 window.