If any story familiarizes audiences with different definitions of the word, "power," it would be the Hunger Games. Its dystopian society provides fans with images of political and economic positions, from the extreme opulence in the Capitol to the deep poverty in most of the surrounding districts.
The well-known characters in the series, though, each have different levels of their own, personal power. This type of strength is the manner in which a character holds themself in society, in the situation they find themself in, and in terms of how they can lead or not lead. Having more or less emotional power doesn't involve one's financial or societal status, but rather, it's in their self-confidence.
Effie
While fans love Effie with all their hearts, she’s unfortunately not the franchise’s most powerful character. Her hilariously sassy persona is the perfect drop of humor viewers need when watching the films, but even though she has a generally higher political status as a Capitol Hunger Games employee, she doesn’t carry herself with a strong enough demeanor.
Sometimes, her perfectionism is the obstacle she faces in her potential to be more powerful against others. Her ability to focus on the battle while in District 13 is skewed by her obsession with perfecting her image. While this undoubtedly entertains viewers, it doesn’t strengthen her authority over the others.
Haymitch
Haymitch may be misconstrued to be one of the more powerful characters simply because of his status as a mentor and an adult but he is actually not in comparison to others.
His alcoholism puts him at a big disadvantage. It weakens his focus and stamina when dealing with Katniss and Peeta when they look to him for his required mentorship. He isn’t a complete lost cause though being that he's well aware of who “the real enemy is” as Catching Fire revealed, however, he doesn’t have total control over his behavior and actions.
Gale
Gale is a born-to-be, true fighter. He holds his own in a battle and can remain calm, and not to mention how he valiantly saved many lives in District 12 when they were bombed, as well as caring for Katniss’s family. However, when it comes to his power in a general sense in daily life, he is surprisingly not one of the stronger characters.
This character is actually pretty reckless and seems to be incapable of thoroughly empathizing with others that are close to him. He sees every single person from the Capitol as an enemy, including Katniss’s makeup team. His inner anger is what lessens his power, even though he has such a noteworthy emotional and physical endurance, such as when he's mercilessly whipped by Thread.
Peeta
Peeta is initially seen as weaker by some viewers, even those that adore him. However, Peeta undergoes remarkable growth due to being in the games, and he’s an overall powerful speaker in front of audiences through his humble yet humorous personality.
First of all, he’s able to reverse the tracker-jacker brainwashing as best as he can in the middle of his torture, and then is able to mostly overcome it later on throughout Mockingjay. Secondly, he’s a general powerful character because he can sway others around him, such as when he convinces the Careers to team up with him, and when he makes the intelligent decisions to convince Capitol audiences of his love for Katniss and their pregnancy. Peeta is not the most powerful figure in the story due to a slight lack in leadership, but at least uses his intelligence and empathy to empower himself above others at times.
Prim
Believe it or not, Prim becomes a generally powerful character throughout the story. She starts off as the supposed little girl and grows into a sacrificial, self-controlled young adult.
Once Prim works as a medic, she ultimately ends up risking her life to the deep dismay of Katniss. But her empowerment derives from her acceptance of responsibility once her sister (the usual caretaker of the family) left for the 74th Games. She empowers herself throughout the entire story and therefore works herself up the ranks of the most powerful figures.
Finnick
Finnick has the power of sheer confidence, either in front of a crowd or in a fight. However, his confidence is different from others, like Peeta’s. Finnick’s sharp focus is also balanced with his laid-back behavior, even in the same environment.
This juxtaposition in behavior ultimately heightens his powerful stance. Finnick is able to lead others in the games, while he can also sway television viewers with his effective charm. Capitol viewers obviously swoon over him, but he doesn’t just use his attractive looks as his power. He is able to manipulate others for either positive or negative intentions with his words too.
President Snow
President Snow is deemed as the most powerful, and scary character of all, but he isn’t as powerful as everyone views him as in the end. Snow’s controlling and intimidating attitude definitely changes an entire room, let alone a country.
His calm tone frightens everyone as it conveys a snake-like effect. Snow manages to carry himself as a powerhouse for most of the films, but he isn’t the top contender in terms of who is the most powerful. He really just feeds off of his obsession and thirst for vengeance, which in turn, weakens him and blindsides him.
Joanna
Yes, even above President Snow! Joanna is one truly powerful character. Not only does she push through the brutal torture the Capitol abducted her for, but there are additional moments that emphasize how authoritative she is.
Firstly, Joanna is totally confident in herself to the point where she nonchalantly strips off her costume in front of Katniss, Haymitch, and Peeta in an elevator. This highlights how she isn’t hesitant of exposure, in any way. Secondly, Joanna performs a rarity in Catching Fire. She screams to President Snow a threat to “set [his] backyard on fire.” This stuns everyone into silence, therefore embodying how incredibly powerful she is.
Katniss
This girl literally is on fire, as fans are all aware. Being a true heroine, Katniss never asks to lead an entire, national rebellion against such a high power, but she learns how to lead through her observant and fearless nature.
Katniss proves her power above most others when she takes Snow’s word and starts to understand how much of a real threat President Alma Coin could be. Aside from her self-sacrifice, her ability to learn instructions, and her huntress mindset, Katniss observes Coin and figures out that she will be just as terrible as Snow. Shooting her is Katniss’s declaration of power over most others, but she does loosen it a little by reaching for her nightlock pill to escape what she’s about to face. This is the moment when she shows weakness because she’s trying to escape by purposely ending her life.
Coin
Coin takes home the gold for the most powerful character in this series. Although her presence isn’t as lengthy as some other characters, she leaves her mark on the franchise.
Coin has several years of experience operating an entire hidden district underground and was willing to wait for the right time to have District 13 act against the Capitol. Her management of the situation, her control over battle techniques, and her manipulative demeanor are all components of her power source. Coin uses her power for evil, clearly, as the end shows her potential to become worse than President Snow. Her vengeful persona isn’t her ultimate authority over other characters. It’s her seemingly kind and empathetic manner that is actually a mask above her cruel intentions she hides underneath.