In a highly anticipated event, the prequel to Lionsgate's popular franchise, "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes," made an impressive $5.8 million during its Thursday previews at the domestic box office. The film, based on Suzanne Collins' dystopian YA novels, is expected to have a solid start, with tracking showing an opening in the $50 million range.

This achievement is particularly remarkable considering that it has been more than a decade since the first "Hunger Games" film graced the big screen, and eight years since the conclusion of the core series. The original four films accumulated a staggering $2.9 billion at the global box office, and solidified Jennifer Lawrence's status as one of the most prominent female stars in the world. "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" follows suit by drawing inspiration from Collins' book of the same name.

Directed by Francis Lawrence, who was at the helm of the previous four "Hunger Games" movies, the prequel boasts a talented cast including Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, and Viola Davis. Fans of the franchise are eager to dive back into the dystopian world and explore the origin story presented in "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes."

"The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" is not the only film vying for attention at the Thanksgiving box office. Universal and Illumination's "Trolls Band Together" had a successful start with $1.3 million in Thursday previews. The movie, featuring Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake reprising their roles as Poppy and Branch, is set to make a strong showing, projected to earn in the high $20 million to $30 million range. Directed by Walt Dohrn and produced by Gina Shay, the third installment in the "Trolls" franchise is expected to bring joy to audiences of all ages.

Meanwhile, Eli Roth's slasher film "Thanksgiving," produced by TriStar and Spyglass Media Group, opened with $1 million in previews, promising a thrilling and chilling cinematic experience.

As the Thanksgiving weekend approaches, moviegoers can also look forward to other offerings, such as Apple Original Films and Sony's "Napoleon" and Disney Animation's "Wish." This holiday season is unique, as it marks the first time in modern history that Illumination goes head-to-head with a Disney Animation film over Thanksgiving.

With such an exciting lineup of films competing for audience attention, Hollywood is gearing up for a vibrant and lucrative holiday season at the box office. Fans and film enthusiasts can expect a feast of riveting stories and captivating performances as they gather to celebrate Thanksgiving at the movies.

(Note: The article includes all entities, numbers, and dates mentioned in the provided information.)