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Panem is calling again. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in theaters and IMAX on Friday, November 20, 2026, and it’s the only true franchise tentpole of the month. It tells the story fans have wondered about since the first book: how Haymitch Abernathy became the broken, brilliant mentor who helped Katniss survive.
Watch the Sunrise on the Reaping trailer
Biggest moments from the trailer
- A tragedy at the tribute parade. Louella, one of District 12’s tributes, is killed in a freak accident and dies in Haymitch’s arms.
- Haymitch’s first act of defiance. He carries her body to President Snow, a moment readers of the book will recognize as the start of his rebellion.
- The Capitol’s cover-up. Snow replaces Louella with a body double, showing how ruthlessly the Capitol controls the story Panem sees.
- Caesar Flickerman sets the tone with a chilling line telling the tributes to look alive while they still can.
What is Sunrise on the Reaping about?
The film is set 24 years before the original Hunger Games, beginning on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. That year, the Capitol doubled the number of tributes, and a teenage Haymitch from District 12 is thrown into the arena. It’s the second prequel film after 2023’s The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and it’s based on Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel.
Sunrise on the Reaping cast
- Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy
- Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
- Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner
- Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow
- Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
- Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
- Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee
- Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee
- Maya Hawke as Wiress
- Lili Taylor as Mags
- Ralph Fiennes as President Snow
Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are also reported to return as Katniss and Peeta in limited appearances, which will thrill longtime fans.
Who made it?
Francis Lawrence, who directed Catching Fire, both Mockingjay films and Songbirds & Snakes, returns to direct. Billy Ray, co-writer of the original Hunger Games, wrote the screenplay.
Box office expectations
The bar is interesting. The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes opened to $44.6 million and finished with about $166 million domestically, while the final Katniss film, Mockingjay – Part 2, opened at $102.7 million. Haymitch is a fan favorite and the book was a huge bestseller, so many analysts expect Sunrise to land well above the last prequel. It will have to share the spotlight with Godzilla Minus Zero and Ebenezer, both already in theaters.
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Sources: JoBlo, Inverse, Box Office Watch, Lionsgate.