Highlights
- Day two of CinemaCon 2025 revealed the release date for the film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
- The news comes two weeks after the prequel novel by Suzanne Collins hit bookshelves.
- Additionally, we have a brief teaser, complete with a sound bite from Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
These games are gonna be different — just ask Haymitch Abernathy.
CinemaCon 2025 has blessed us with fun movie news aplenty, and the Lionsgate presentation was no exception. The studio unveiled a brief teaser for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping and a release date.
RELATED: Book Review: Sunrise on the Reaping
The Hunger Games prequel movie is adapted from Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name, which was published only two weeks ago on March 18.
Here’s a synopsis per Lionsgate:
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will revisit the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.”
It follows Haymitch Abernathy’s (Woody Harrelson) time in the games. He won the Second Quarter Quell before going on to mentor Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) during the 74th Hunger Games.
RELATED: The Hunger Games: A Reflection on a Powerful YA Series
The Snake Versus the Mockingjay
Billy Ray, who wrote the script for the first Hunger Games film, returns to pen the screenplay for Sunrise on the Reaping. Francis Lawrence will serve as director, having helmed every movie in the franchise since The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Franchise producer Nina Jacobson will also return to produce alongside Brad Simpson.
The teaser unveils a snake and mockingjay locked in combat before the logo for the film is emblazoned across the screen. Then, we hear Harrelson as Haymitch say, “I think these games are gonna be different.”
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping soars into theaters on November 20, 2026. Before you go, check out the teaser below.
Who’s your dream cast for young Haymitch? Sound off the comments.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
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