Lionsgate Home Entertainment has just announced the upcoming release of The Hunger Games, bringing the film to DVD and Blu-Ray Disc in August.

The Hunger Games is the first in a trilogy of books published by Scholastic that has already become a literary phenomenon with over 36.5 million copies in circulation.  Set in the future, one male and one female from each of the twelve districts of the nation is forced to participate in the annual competition called The Hunger Games, which is broadcast live throughout the country for the entertainment of the Capitol‘s wealthy residents. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers in her younger sister‘s place to enter the games, and is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy when she‘s pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives.  If she‘s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Aside from the movie itself, the release will contain the eight-part documentary, “The World is Watching: Making of The Hunger Games,” along with the featurette “Game Maker: Suzanne Collins and The Hunger Games Phenomenom.”

Also, look for the featurette “Letters from the Rose Garden” with insights from Donald Sutherland on the development of his role as President Snow. In “Controlling the Games” you will get to witness stories and concepts behind creating the control center.

The release also features A Conversation with Gary Ross and Elvis Mitchell as well as the movie‘s Propaganda Film in its entirety, and a Marketing Archive.

As a Blu-Ray exclusive, the release also contains the featurette “Preparing for The Games: A Director’s Process”.

“The Hunger Games” will arrive in stores on August 18 for $30.98 on DVD and $39.99 on Blu-Ray Disc.