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The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is an upcoming American film adapted from Suzanne Collins’s 2025 novel of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is an upcoming American film and the sixth instalment in the Hunger Games film series. Based on Suzanne Collins's 2025 novel of the same name, it is a prequel set 24 years before the original story. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film covers the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell, and follows a young Haymitch Abernathy.

Premise

The film is set in Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games. It centres on the 50th Hunger Games, a Quarter Quell in which each district must provide twice the usual number of tributes.

Production

The film is directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Billy Ray and Michael Lesslie. It continues the Hunger Games film franchise as its sixth instalment.

Cast

Reported cast members include Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, with Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Mckenna Grace, Whitney Peak, Ben Wang, Maya Hawke, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Ralph Fiennes, and Glenn Close among the ensemble.

Release

The film is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 20, 2026. The listed release format is theatrical, with wide release coverage reported by entertainment databases.

Key facts

  • It adapts Suzanne Collins's 2025 novel Sunrise on the Reaping.
  • The film is a prequel set 24 years before The Hunger Games.
  • The story follows a young Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games (Second Quarter Quell).
  • The film is scheduled for theatrical release on November 20, 2026.
  • It is the sixth film in The Hunger Games series.
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Canadian context

The film is part of a major international franchise with a significant Canadian audience, especially among readers and viewers of young adult dystopian fiction. Canadian release plans are not confirmed in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping a book or a film?
It is primarily a film adaptation of Suzanne Collins's 2025 novel Sunrise on the Reaping.
What is it about?
It follows a young Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games, set 24 years before the original Hunger Games story.
What does Second Quarter Quell mean?
It refers to the 50th Hunger Games, a special edition in which the Capitol imposes a harsher rule than usual.
Who directs the film?
Francis Lawrence directs the adaptation.
When is it expected to be released?
It is scheduled for release in the United States on November 20, 2026.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games:_Sunrise_on_the_Reaping
    Supports: Film identity, adaptation status, director, writers, cast, series position, and release date.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32558705/
    Supports: Release date and premise involving young Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_hunger_games_sunrise_on_the_reaping
    Supports: Synopsis, setting, Second Quarter Quell description, and release timing.
  4. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPjxijuBuSo
    Supports: Official teaser description of the setting and release date.
  5. Audible — https://www.audible.com/blog/summary-sunrise-on-the-reaping-by-suzanne-collins
    Supports: Novel publication date, story setting, and Haymitch focus for the source novel.