The Hunger Games franchise is roaring back to life with one of its most ambitious projects yet. After nearly a decade since Katniss Everdeen's story concluded, Lionsgate is preparing to transport audiences back to Panem with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, a film that promises to explore the brutal origins of one of the saga's most beloved characters: a young Haymitch Abernathy.
Set to hit theaters on November 20, 2026, this sixth installment in the blockbuster franchise is already generating massive buzz among fans and industry insiders alike. The film adapts Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel of the same name, which bridges the gap between the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the original Katniss trilogy.
A Reunion of Hunger Games Veterans
The creative team behind
Sunrise on the Reaping reads like a masterclass in franchise filmmaking.
Francis Lawrence, who directed
Catching Fire, both
Mockingjay films, and the recent prequel, is returning to helm this new chapter. His experience navigating Panem's complex political landscape makes him the perfect choice to bring this darker, more intimate story to life.
Screenwriter
Billy Ray, who originally adapted Suzanne Collins' debut novel for the screen, is penning the script—a full-circle moment for the franchise. Longtime producers
Nina Jacobson and
Brad Simpson of Color Force are overseeing production, ensuring continuity with the franchise's established vision.
A Star-Studded Cast Brings Panem to Life
The casting announcement has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. The film features an impressive ensemble that blends rising stars with award-winning veterans.
Josh Hutcherson returns as an older Haymitch Abernathy, while
Rachel Zegler takes on a significant role in this prequel-sequel hybrid.
The film also introduces younger versions of familiar faces from the original trilogy.
Kieran Culkin (
Succession) steps into the role of Caesar Flickerman, the Games' charismatic TV host, while
Elle Fanning (
The Great) portrays a younger Effie Trinket.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. appears as a past victor version of Beetee, and
Jesse Plemons (
The Power of the Dog) plays a young Plutarch Heavensbee, years before his transformation into a rebellion leader.
The Story: A Bloodier Games Than Ever Before
Sunrise on the Reaping is set
24 years before the events of the original
Hunger Games film. The story centers on the
50th Hunger Games, infamously known as the
Second Quarter Quell—a twisted variation of the Games that doubled the number of tributes from each district, making it the bloodiest competition in Panem's history.
The narrative follows young Haymitch as he's thrust into this brutal arena, forced to navigate not only the deadly competition but also the manipulations of the authoritarian regime. Fans can expect the film to explore Haymitch's relationship with his love interest, Lenore Dove, adding emotional depth to his character's tragic backstory.
Production Underway in Spain
Production officially began in
Summer 2025 at Spain's Somiedo Natural Park in Asturias, marking an exciting milestone for the franchise. With filming in its early stages and a late 2026 release date, an official trailer likely won't arrive until mid-2026, leaving fans to speculate about what's to come.
The Franchise's Unstoppable Legacy
The original
Hunger Games films remain one of cinema's most successful dystopian sagas. The 2012 debut earned over
$690 million worldwide, while 2013's
Catching Fire became the highest-grossing installment with
$865 million globally. Combined with the two-part
Mockingjay finale, the franchise has grossed just under
$3 billion worldwide, cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon that launched Jennifer Lawrence into global superstardom.
The 2023 prequel
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes proved the franchise still has box office muscle, demonstrating that audiences remain hungry for stories set in Panem's dystopian world.
What's Next?
While no official trailer has been released yet, the creative team's pedigree and the compelling source material suggest
Sunrise on the Reaping could be a major event film. The combination of Francis Lawrence's directorial expertise, a stellar cast, and the intrigue surrounding Haymitch's origin story positions this film as a must-watch for both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise.
Mark your calendars for
November 20, 2026—the day Panem returns to the big screen.
1.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping - Rotten Tomatoes2.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping - IMDb3.
The Hunger Games: On Stage - London Premiere
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1. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping: Release ...
2. The Hunger Games: On Stage | London Premiere Autumn 2025
3. Quentin Tarantino attacks the author of 'The Hunger Games'
4. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026)
5. Quentin Tarantino Tuduh The Hunger Games Meniru Battle ...
6. Quentin Tarantino is still very mad about The Hunger Games
