Films
The Hunger Games films in order
Watch in release order for a first viewing: Katniss's four-film story first, then The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. The prequel gains meaning from knowing the ruler Snow eventually becomes.
5 supported titlesTheme explainer
Ambition
These stories follow the costs of pursuing success and what achievement leaves unresolved.
Why this group matters
Achievement can damage the relationships or principles that made it worth pursuing. Follow what each character sacrifices and whether success answers that desire.
What belongs here: Stories driven by the desire for achievement, recognition, status, mastery, or escape.
1868Little WomenExplains the endingCompare with the filmComing-of-age / Domestic fictionLouisa May Alcott / United StatesRecap: Useful recapFamily / Ambition1933Little WomenExplains the endingCompare with the bookDrama / Coming-of-age1h 55m / George CukorRecap: Useful recapFamily / Ambition2020The Ballad of Songbirds and SnakesExplains the endingCompare with the filmDystopian / Young adultSuzanne Collins / United StatesRecap: Useful recapAmbition / Control2026GOATExplains the endingAnimated sports comedy1h 40m / Tyree DillihayRecap: Useful recapAmbition / Teamwork2023The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & SnakesExplains the endingCompare with the bookScience fiction / Dystopian2h 38m / Francis LawrenceRecap: Useful recapAmbition / Control2017Spider-Man: HomecomingExplains the endingSuperhero / Coming-of-age2h 13m / Jon WattsRecap: Useful recapResponsibility / Identity2009Wolf HallExplains the endingHistorical fiction / Political fictionHilary Mantel / United KingdomRecap: Useful recapPower / Ambition1990L.A. ConfidentialExplains the endingCompare with the filmCrime novel / Neo-noirJames Ellroy / United StatesRecap: Useful recapCorruption / Ambition2009The Accidental BillionairesExplains the endingCompare with the filmNonfiction / Business historyBen Mezrich / United StatesRecap: Fast recapAmbition / Friendship2003The Devil Wears PradaCompare with the filmComedy drama / Satirical novelLauren Weisberger / United StatesRecap: Fast recapAmbition / Work2016La La LandExplains the endingMusical / Romantic drama2h 8m / Damien ChazelleRecap: Fast recapAmbition / Love2013The Wolf of Wall StreetBased on real eventsExplains the endingBiographical drama / Black comedy3h 0m / Martin ScorseseRecap: Strong recapExcess / Fraud1983ScarfaceCrime storyCrime drama / Gangster2h 45m / Brian De PalmaRecap: Fast recapAmbition / Power2006The Devil Wears PradaCompare with the bookComedy drama / Workplace1h 49m / David FrankelRecap: Fast recapAmbition / Identity1997L.A. ConfidentialExplains the endingCompare with the bookCrime thriller / Neo-noir2h 12m / Curtis HansonRecap: Useful recapCorruption / Ambition2014WhiplashDrama / Psychological drama1h 46m / Damien ChazelleRecap: Fast recapAmbition / Control2010The Social NetworkBased on real eventsCompare with the bookBiographical drama / Drama2h 1m / David FincherRecap: Fast recapAmbition / Friendship
Reading and watching order
Where to start
Films
MCU Spider-Man films in order
Watch the four Tom Holland solo films in release order. Each film directly inherits Peter's relationships, public identity, and consequences from the previous entry.
4 supported titlesBooks and films
The Accidental Billionaires and The Social Network order
Read first for Mezrich's version of the source material. Watch first for Fincher and Sorkin's tighter dramatic argument, then compare what the adaptation emphasizes.
2 supported titlesWhat this theme does not mean
A career goal with no effect on the central choice
Related variations: creative ambition, social ascent, ambition and sacrifice.