The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

The Hunger Games:
Sunrise on the Reaping
Teaser poster
Directed byFrancis Lawrence
Screenplay by
Based on
Sunrise on the Reaping
by Suzanne Collins
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJo Willems
Edited byMark Yoshikawa
Music byJames Newton Howard
Production
company
Distributed byLionsgate
Release date
  • November 20, 2026 (2026-11-20)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$170-200 million[1]

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is an upcoming American dystopian film directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Billy Ray and Michael Lesslie. Based on the 2025 novel Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, it serves as both a sequel to The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) and a prequel to The Hunger Games (2012), and will be the sixth installment in The Hunger Games film series. It stars an ensemble cast that includes Joseph Zada, Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Mckenna Grace, Whitney Peak, Ben Wang, Maya Hawke, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Ralph Fiennes, and Glenn Close.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 20, 2026.

Premise

Taking place twenty-four years before the first film, 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy is selected to compete in the fiftieth Hunger Games. Every twenty-fifth edition of the games, known as a Quarter Quell, adds a special twist to the annual Hunger Games rules. For the 50th Hunger Games, each district of Panem must send twice the number of tributes to the Capitol, who will fight to the death in a televised spectacle.[2]

Cast

Tributes

  • Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, a tribute from District 12 who is born on the same day as the Reaping. He is the future mentor to the main series' protagonist, Katniss Everdeen.
  • Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, a tribute from District 12 and owner of the Mockingjay pin
    • Grace also portrays Merrilee Donner, Maysilee's twin sister.
  • Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow, a tribute from District 12 and an oddsmaker
  • Molly McCann as Louella McCoy, a tribute from District 12 who is reaped alongside Haymitch.[3]
  • Iona Bell as Lou Lou, Louella's Capitol-assigned lookalike.
  • Percy Daggs IV as Ampert Latier, a tribute from District 3 and son of former victor Beetee Latier.
  • Jhaleil Swaby as Panache Barker, a tribute from District 1
  • Laura Marcus as Silka Sharp, a tribute from District 1
  • Sky Frances as Maritte, a tribute from District 4
  • Rada Rae as Wellie, a tribute from District 6
  • Tatyana Muzondo as Ringina, a tribute from District 7
  • Alina Reid as Kerna, a tribute from District 9
  • Salimou Thiam as Clayton, a tribute from District 9
  • John Doeble as Buck, a tribute from District 10
  • Kaine Buffonge as Hull, a tribute from District 11

Capitol Residents

Mentors

District 12 Residents

  • Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch's girlfriend and descendant of the Covey Caravan of which Lucy Gray Baird was once a part
  • Kara Tointon as Willamae Abernathy, Haymitch's mother
  • Smylie Bradwell as Sid Abernathy, Haymitch's younger brother
  • Scot Greenan as Burdock Everdeen, Haymitch's best friend, Asterid's boyfriend, and the future father of Katniss Everdeen. He is also Lenore Dove's distant relative. He was played by Phillip Troy Linger in the original films.
  • Grace Ackary as Asterid March, Maysilee's best friend, Burdock's girlfriend, and the future mother of Katniss Everdeen. She was played by Paula Malcomson in the original films.
  • Jeffrey Hallman as Clerk Carmine, Lenore Dove's uncle
  • Serafin Mishiev as Woodbine Chance, a District 12 citizen reaped for the 50th Hunger Games; however his deadly defiance makes Haymitch take his place.
  • Melody Chikakane Brown as Hattie Meeney
  • Jefferson White as Mr. McCoy, Louella's father
  • Devon Singletary as Blair, Haymitch's friend

Additionally, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson reprise their roles as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark respectively.[4]

Production

Development

Adaptation rights for the film were acquired by Lionsgate simultaneously with Suzanne Collins's announcement of the novel in June 2024. Principal photography took place between July and November 2025 across locations in Spain and Germany.[5]

In June 2024, with the announcement that Suzanne Collins would be publishing her next installment in The Hunger Games series on March 18, 2025, titled The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Lionsgate Films greenlit a feature film adaptation of the book, with Francis Lawrence in talks to return to direct.[5]

Casting

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will reprise their roles of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark

Casting directors Debra Zane and Dylan Jury began casting the film in December 2024; a casting call was put out for young Haymitch, Lenore Dove, and Maysilee, and Zane and Jury began making lists for the younger adult versions of legacy characters.[6]

From April to June 2025, much of the ensemble was cast, including Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr.,[7] Maya Hawke,[8] Lili Taylor,[9] Ben Wang,[10] Ralph Fiennes,[11] Molly McCann, Iona Bell,[3] Elle Fanning,[12] Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, Billy Porter, Jhaleil Swaby, Laura Marcus, Percy Daggs IV, and Rada Rae.[13][14][15][16][17][18] More casting announcements were made in July, including Kara Tointon, Jefferson White, Iris Apatow, and Edvin Ryding.[19][20][21][22] In October, Devon Singletary joined the cast after winning an open audition competition.[23][24]

In December 2025, it was reported that Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson would be reprising their roles of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in the film.[4] The following month when asked if she would be collaborating with director Francis Lawrence on the film, Jennifer Lawrence said: "Maybe we already have[...]Oh, yeah. It is out on the internet, isn't it?"[25]

Filming

Principal photography began in late July in Spain, and was teased by official Hunger Games social media accounts on August 6, 2025.[26] Shooting locations included Somiedo and Teverga.[27] By November, Fanning and Close had concluded filming their scenes.[28][29] Principal photography officially wrapped in Berlin on November 28.[30]

Music

In April 2026, James Newton Howard was announced to return to compose the film in his sixth time with the franchise, marking his eighth collaboration with Lawrence.[31] A remix version of The Who's 1973 song titled "Love Reign O'er Me (Boomerang Remix)" was featured from the film's first trailer, released on May 30, 2026.[32]

Marketing

On November 20, 2025, exactly a year from theatrical release, an official teaser for the film was released before filming had even ended.[33] On April 6, 2026, a statue depicting a metal snake and songbird surrounded by flowers was erected in Millennium park in Chicago. This was followed by another 31 statues across 30 different countries. The statues were accompanied by cards with quotes from the previous films and books printed on them.[34] The first trailer was released on April 13, 2026.[35] A featurette titled "Meet Haymitch" was released on July 4, 2026, featuring new clips from the film, behind the scenes footage, and interviews with the cast and crew.[36] On August 21, 2026, the website capitol.tv, which had been previously used to promote earlier entries in the film series was reactivated. In universe promotional material was revealed, along with a 2 minute video narrated by Ralph Fiennes as Coriolanus Snow.[37]

Release

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 20, 2026, in IMAX.[5][38]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (April 30, 2025). "The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Set To Be Biggest Project On Sale At Cannes With A Budget North Of $150M". Deadline. Retrieved 08/25/2026. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  2. ↑ Mendoza, Leia (November 21, 2025). "'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' Trailer: First Look at Joseph Zada's Young Haymitch in Series Prequel'". Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Gajewski, Ryan (May 20, 2025). "'Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' Finds Its Louella and Lou Lou (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Gajewski, Ryan (December 11, 2025). "Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson to Return for 'Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 6, 2024). "'The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping': Lionsgate Sets Fall 2026 Release For New Prequel, Director Francis Lawrence In Talks To Return". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  6. ↑ Ishmael, Aiyana (July 14, 2025). "Yes, 'Sunrise on the Reaping' Casting Directors Know They're Nailing It". Teen Vogue. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  7. ↑ Stephan, Katcy (May 12, 2025). "'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' Adds Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee". Variety. Archived from the original on May 13, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  8. ↑ Grobar, Matt (May 14, 2025). "Maya Hawke Joins 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' As Wiress". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  9. ↑ Grobar, Matt (May 14, 2025). "'The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Casts Lili Taylor As Mags". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  10. ↑ Stephan, Katcy (May 15, 2025). "'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' Adds Ben Wang as Wyatt (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  11. ↑ Gajewski, Ryan (May 16, 2025). "Ralph Fiennes to Play President Snow in 'Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  12. ↑ Gajewski, Ryan (May 20, 2025). "Elle Fanning to Play Effie in 'Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 21, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  13. ↑ Grobar, Matt (April 23, 2025). "'The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Casts Joseph Zada As Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak As Lenore Dove Baird". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 23, 2025. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  14. ↑ Kroll, Justin (April 24, 2025). "'Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Movie At Lionsgate Taps Mckenna Grace In Maysilee Donner Role". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 24, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  15. ↑ Kroll, Justin (April 25, 2025). "'Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Movie Taps Jesse Plemons To Play Plutarch Heavensbee In Lionsgate Adaptation". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  16. ↑ Gajewski, Ryan (May 21, 2025). "Kieran Culkin to Play Caesar in 'Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  17. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy; Grobar, Matt (June 16, 2025). "Glenn Close & Billy Porter Join Cast Of Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' – CineEurope". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 16, 2025. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  18. ↑ Cordero, Rosy (June 17, 2025). "'The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Casts Jhaleil Swaby As Panache". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  19. ↑ Booth, Kaitlyn (July 15, 2025). "Sunrise On The Reaping: 4 More Tributes Have Been Cast". bleedingcool.com.
  20. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com.
  21. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com.
  22. ↑ Stephan, Katcy (July 25, 2025). "'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' Casts Iris Apatow and Edvin Ryding as Production Begins (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  23. ↑ @thehungergames (October 24, 2025). "Blair. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theaters November 20, 2026" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  24. ↑ Levy, Giana (October 24, 2025). "'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' Announces Winner of Fan Casting Contest: 'I'm Super Excited'". Variety. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  25. ↑ Akpobare, Ejiro (January 13, 2026). "Jennifer Lawrence May Have Just Confirmed a 'Hunger Games' Return". Yahoo. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  26. ↑ Northrup, Ryan (August 6, 2025). "Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping Gets Major Filming Update With First Look At The Deadly Arena". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  27. ↑ Gutiérrez, Marcos (August 20, 2025). "Teverga y Somiedo celebran la «difusión» generada por «Los juegos del hambre»: «Se metió la patita para que la gente nos ubique»". La Voz de Asturias (in Spanish). Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  28. ↑ Jones, Tamera; Weintraub, Steven (November 20, 2025). "Elle Fanning Shares an Exciting 'Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' Update for Effie Trinket Fans". Collider. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  29. ↑ Gomez, Dessi (November 20, 2025). "Everything We Know About The 'Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Movie So Far". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  30. ↑ @ninajacobson (November 28, 2025). "Now it's a wrap" (Tweet). Retrieved November 29, 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  31. ↑ "James Newton Howard to Return for Francis Lawrence's 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'". Film Music Reporter. April 13, 2026. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  32. ↑ Armstrong, Sam (June 1, 2026). "Remix Of The Who Appears In 'Hunger Games' Song". UDiscover Music. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  33. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (November 20, 2025). "'The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping': Surprise Teaser Trailer Shows Glenn Close, Ralph Fiennes, Joseph Zada, Elle Fanning, McKenna Grace, Whitney Peak & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  34. ↑ "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' Gardens Bloom Across 30 Countries Teasing Trailer Launch". IBBONLINE. April 28, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  35. ↑ Ntim, Zac (April 13, 2026). "'The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Trailer: Joseph Zada & Whitney Peak Make Their Franchise Debuts". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  36. ↑ Copeland, Mya (July 4, 2026). "'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' First Look Revealed in 'Meet Haymitch' Featurette". Variety. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  37. ↑ "CAPITOL TV". capitol.tv. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  38. ↑ "IMAX Investor Presentation October 2025". IMAX Corporation. Archived from the original on October 23, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
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