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The clock above counts down to The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping on November 20, 2026, Lionsgate's prequel adaptation of Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel, opening in cinemas worldwide.
Sunrise on the Reaping returns the Hunger Games franchise to theaters with the prequel set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen's reaping, depicting the second Quarter Quell and the games of a young Haymitch Abernathy. Suzanne Collins' source novel published in March 2025 became the fastest-selling Hunger Games book ever, and Lionsgate fast-tracked the adaptation for a November 20, 2026 theatrical date.
Francis Lawrence returns to direct, having helmed Catching Fire, Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2, and the 2023 prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson produce alongside Collins, and the project keeps the franchise's signature Capitol-versus-Districts political framing while expanding the world's history.
Reporting names Joseph Zada as the young Haymitch, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, and Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, with the Quarter Quell reaping doubling the tribute pool to 48 children. Expect the novel's structure: Haymitch's reaping, his preparation in the Capitol, and the games themselves, with a finale that establishes the trauma fans of the original trilogy already know shaped him into Katniss' mentor.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in cinemas on November 20, 2026 in standard, IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and premium large-format presentations through Lionsgate. International dates land in the same week, and a home release on digital, 4K UHD Blu-ray, and streaming via Lionsgate Play and Starz is expected in early 2027.
For more major late-2026 releases, follow the Dune: Part Three countdown and Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 countdown. Looking ahead at fantasy event films, see the Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum countdown and the Narnia countdown.
When does Sunrise on the Reaping release? It opens in theaters on November 20, 2026. Where can I watch Sunrise on the Reaping? Initially in cinemas worldwide; expect home release in early 2027. Is Sunrise on the Reaping confirmed? Yes. Lionsgate has the date locked and production is underway. Who plays Haymitch in the prequel? Joseph Zada is reported to play the young Haymitch Abernathy.
