The Hunger Games has received a 12A rating by the British Board of Film Classification. According to the BBFC, the film was to receive a 15 rating but was cut so as not to dent box office sales.

In a report compiled by the BBFC, the number of cuts made to the film was minimal: 'To obtain this category cuts of 0m 7s were required, some or all of these cuts were substitutions. A number of cuts were made in one scene to reduce an emphasis on blood and injury. These cuts, which were implemented by digitally removing sight of blood splashes and sight of blood on wounds and weapons, were made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy.'

The Hunger Games is set in post-apocalyptic version of America, which is now known as Panem. Every year, a live televised event called the Hunger Games is shown, in which teenagers ranging from twelve to eighteen fight to the death.

The BBFC also reports that an 'uncut' version, rated 15, was available. It concluded: 'When the finished version of the film was submitted for formal classification, cuts had been made in four scenes of violence and in one scene showing details of injuries. These reductions were implemented by a mixture of visual cuts, visual darkenings and the digital removal of sight of blood.'

The Hunger Games had its world premiere in Los Angeles and will have its UK premiere tomorrow (14 March 2012). Recently, it was reported that ticket presales for the dystopian film had broken the record set by The Twilight Saga: Eclipse in 2010.