Netflix recently dropped a new dystopian sci-fi movie,Uglies, starring Joey King and based on the YA book series by Scott Westerfeld. While theUgliesbooks have long been a popular addition to the genre, the initial reception of the film has not been positive.Ugliesis the latest inKing’s disappointing Rotten Tomatoes streak, but there are still plenty of fun moments in the movie, especially for audiences who read the books. However,when compared to standouts of the YA genre, likeThe Hunger Games, it’s clear thatUgliescan’t compete.
The latest installment ofThe Hunger Gamesfranchise,The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, made over $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office (viaBox Office Mojo). This is difficult to compare toUglies, as it went straight to streaming, but this level of success and interest is on par with the notoriety ofThe Hunger Games. In many ways,The Hunger Gamesis one of the last vestiges of the YA genre.Based on the performance of Netflix’s latest star vehicle for King,Uglieswill likely go the same way as otherYA franchises that ended after one movie.
Uglies' Negative Reviews Demonstrate That Interest In YA Stories Is Fading Outside Of Hunger Games
The heyday of YA adaptations in movies and TV is over
The 2010s were a landmark period in film history, particularly for film adaptations of YA dystopian novels that were a hit with the next generation of filmgoers.Divergent,The Maze Runner, and, of course,The Hunger Gamesall defined this era, but nothing was as popular asThe Hunger Games.To this day, there is still an enormous appetite for new movies within the world ofThe Hunger Games,but no renewed interest has sparked for its contemporaries. TheUgliesadaptation has come a decade too late and fails to live up to the high barThe Hunger Gamesset.
Ugliesexemplifies the decline in popularity of the YA genre. Although it adheres to the tropes and visual style of the older films, it doesn’t recapture the magic. Audiences have not demonstrated excitement forUglieson a level close toThe Hunger Gamesmovies, and this could indicate that the YA genre is on its way out. WhileThe Hunger Gamesmight continue to be an exception to this trend,few films that fall into the YA category are being made, and even fewer are well-received.IfUgliesdoes get a sequel, it must work hard to distinguish itself.
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Why The Hunger Games Franchise Remains So Popular While Other YA Movies Struggle
It was clear from the first book that The Hunger Games stood apart
The Hunger Gamesfranchise has never struggled to transcend the YA genre and be taken seriously by audiences and critics alike. Suzanne Collins released the first book in 2008, and four years later, the film adaptation starring Jennifer Lawrence hit the screen and transformed a generation of audience members. Many other franchises attempted to capitalize on the success ofThe Hunger Games, but none reached the same level.Even in the 2010s,Divergentwas frequently compared toThe Hunger Games, but it lacked the cohesive worldbuildingand character dynamics to be treated as a memorable work of cinema.
There’s a timelessness toThe Hunger Gamesthat doesn’t rely on tropes or gimmicks to capture the audience’s attention.
Themost important scenes inThe Hunger Gamesare all thematically serious and tackle nuanced topics that other YA novels and movies only scratch the surface of.Tally (King) and her struggle inUglieslacks the depth and urgency of Katniss' storyinThe Hunger Games. There’s a timelessness toThe Hunger Gamesthat doesn’t rely on tropes or gimmicks to capture the audience’s attention. Though the latest movie,The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, came out eight years afterMockingjay - Part 2, it was just as thrilling to return to the world of Panem.
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Uglies Doesn’t Have The Same Franchise Potential As The Hunger Games
The world of Uglies is not as compelling as Panem
Between the success ofThe Ballad of Songbirds & Snakesin 2023 and theupcoming Haymitch prequelSunrise on the Reaping, which will get a movie adaptation the year after the book’s release,The Hunger Gameshas no shortage of material to explore. Collins created a world that felt lived in and could exist in many iterations regardless of what characters brought the story to life.Even after Katniss and Peeta’s arc concluded, the history of Panem itself was interesting enoughto warrant highly anticipated prequels. The movie iteration ofUgliesdoesn’t establish a universe nearly as compelling.
TheSunrise on the Reapingnovel by Suzanne Collins is expected to be released on July 24, 2025.
TheUgliesbooks have four novels in the series, which is on par withThe Hunger Games, but having multiple installments isn’t enough to justify a franchise.When comparing Katniss to Tally, there’s only one character who’s interesting and well-developedenough to carry a story across several books and films. Though Katniss is reluctant to lead her revolution, every step she takes aligns with her journey, and the character’s motivations are clear. The rules and consequences in Tally’s world feel underwhelming when compared to the high stakes ofThe Hunger Games.
On paper, it may seem thatUglieshas plenty in common with the dystopian
Uglies
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In a futuristic society where everyone undergoes compulsory cosmetic surgery at 16 to become “pretty,” Tally eagerly awaits her transformation. However, when her friend goes missing, she embarks on a journey that challenges her beliefs about beauty, conformity, and rebellion, ultimately questioning the foundations of their world.
