From Business Insider · Eve Crosbie · · 2m
The Hunger Games prequel arrives November 2026
A new trailer reveals what to expect from young Haymitch's deadly competition in the 50th Hunger Games.
In brief
A new trailer reveals what to expect from young Haymitch's deadly competition in the 50th Hunger Games. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping hits theaters November 20, 2026, following young Haymitch Abernathy through the second Quarter Quell with a star-studded cast including Ralph Fiennes as President Snow and…
Young Haymitch takes center stage
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping follows a young Haymitch Abernathy as a District 12 tribute in the 50th Hunger Games, 24 years before the original trilogy.
Release date set for November
The film hits theaters on November 20, 2026, after being announced in 2024 before the novel was even published.
Second prequel to the series
Sunrise on the Reaping is the second prequel novel, following The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes from 2020, and reveals key lore about Panem.
Double the tributes, double the stakes
The 50th Hunger Games features 48 tributes instead of 24, making it the second Quarter Quell with dramatically higher stakes for all competitors.
Francis Lawrence directs again
Director Francis Lawrence, who helmed every film in the series except the 2012 original, returns with screenwriter Billy Ray adapting the novel.
Ralph Fiennes is President Snow
Ralph Fiennes takes on the role of young President Coriolanus Snow, the third actor to play the villain after Donald Sutherland and Tom Blyth.
Dakota Fanning as young Effie
Dakota Fanning plays a young Effie Trinket as a Capitol stylist, taking over the beloved role Elizabeth Banks originated in the original trilogy.
Star-studded supporting cast
Kieran Culkin plays Caesar Flickerman, Maya Hawke plays young Wiress, and Tom Plemons takes on Plutarch Heavensbee from Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Katniss and Peeta return
Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will reprise their roles as Katniss and Peeta in the film, appearing in the epilogue that flashes forward after the Games.
New trailer shows arena chaos
The latest trailer reveals Haymitch's disastrous tribute parade, his TV interview, and a confrontation with President Snow as he works to dismantle the arena.
“The arena, it's a killing machine. But all machines can be broken.”
Haymitch's striker becomes symbol
The striker Haymitch receives, featuring a bird and snake, plays a crucial role in the story and was unveiled as the official film logo.
Challenge authority campaign
Lionsgate released posters with the slogan Challenge Authority, Capitalize Power, positioning Haymitch as a voice of dissent against the Capitol.
The key point
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping hits theaters November 20, 2026, following young Haymitch Abernathy through the second Quarter Quell with a star-studded cast including Ralph Fiennes as President Snow and Dakota Fanning as young Effie Trinket.
