The short answer
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens only in theaters, including IMAX, on Friday, November 20, 2026. Lionsgate’s prequel stars Joseph Zada as a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy in the 50th Hunger Games, and it runs about 2 hours 38 minutes with a PG-13 rating.
- Release date: November 20, 2026, in theaters and IMAX (no streaming at launch)
- Lead cast: Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close
- Director: Francis Lawrence, who directed every Hunger Games film since Catching Fire
- Tickets: not on sale yet as of October 21, 2026; Fandango offers a sign-up alert
- Catch up: all five earlier films stream on Hulu right now
Nov 20, 2026
Theatrical release date
158 min
Longest film in the series
4.4M+
English-language copies of the book sold
$3.3B+
Franchise box office so far
In this article
Sunrise on the Reaping is the sixth Hunger Games movie and the second prequel, after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023). It adapts Suzanne Collins’s 2025 novel of the same name, which tells the story of Haymitch Abernathy, the drunk, sharp-tongued District 12 mentor from the original films, during his own Hunger Games. Lionsgate, the studio behind the franchise, distributes the film, and Color Force, the production company of Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, produces it.
Below, you’ll find everything confirmed so far: the release date, the cast, the trailers, runtime and rating, ticket status, and how the movie connects to the book. Plus, we list the Hunger Games movies in order and tell you exactly where to stream them before opening weekend.
When does Sunrise on the Reaping come out?
Sunrise on the Reaping comes out in North American theaters on Friday, November 20, 2026. Lionsgate announced that date back on June 6, 2024, the same day Collins revealed the novel, and the studio has held it ever since.
That date follows a franchise tradition. In fact, four of the five earlier films opened on the weekend before Thanksgiving, so a trip to the theater fits neatly into holiday plans. The film also plays in IMAX, according to the official site at hungergames.movie and Lionsgate’s marketing. Meanwhile, Lionsgate’s original announcement confirms the November 20, 2026 North American release.
Will Sunrise on the Reaping stream on day one?
No. Lionsgate releases the film exclusively in theaters, and the studio has not announced a digital or streaming date. For context, the earlier films eventually reached Hulu and Lionsgate’s own channel, but nobody has confirmed where or when this one lands. So if you want to see it in 2026, plan on a theater.
What is the movie about?
The movie follows a young Haymitch Abernathy through the 50th Hunger Games, 24 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute. The official synopsis says the story starts “on the morning of the reaping” for those Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
A Quarter Quell is a special edition of the Games held every 25 years with a twist. For the 50th Games, the Capitol doubles the usual number of tributes, so each district sends four teenagers instead of two. As a result, Haymitch, 16 at the time, enters an arena with 47 other kids. Fans of the original films already know he survives, because he mentors Katniss and Peeta later. However, the book’s real focus is how he wins and what that victory costs him.
When does Sunrise on the Reaping take place?
It takes place 24 years before The Hunger Games (the 74th Games) and roughly 40 years after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (the 10th Games). In other words, it sits second in the story’s timeline, between the two prequels’ eras and the original four films. That’s why President Snow, now played by Ralph Fiennes, already runs Panem.
Who is in the cast?
Joseph Zada leads the cast as Haymitch Abernathy. Around him, Lionsgate assembled a mix of established stars for the Capitol roles and newer faces for the tributes and District 12 residents.
Scholastic, the book’s publisher, lists the main cast as Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Jesse Plemons, Billy Porter and Lili Taylor, along with “rising stars” Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Iris Apatow, Edvin Ryding and Ben Wang. The table below matches each actor to their role, as listed on the film’s Apple TV page and in trade coverage.
| Actor | Role | Who the character is |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph Zada | Haymitch Abernathy | District 12 tribute, later Katniss’s mentor |
| Whitney Peak | Lenore Dove Baird | Haymitch’s girlfriend in District 12 |
| Mckenna Grace | Maysilee Donner | District 12 tribute (she also plays twin Merrilee) |
| Ben Wang | Wyatt Callow | District 12 tribute |
| Elle Fanning | Effie Trinket | District 12 escort, years before the original films |
| Ralph Fiennes | President Coriolanus Snow | Ruler of Panem |
| Jesse Plemons | Plutarch Heavensbee | Capitol insider and future Gamemaker |
| Kieran Culkin | Caesar Flickerman | Hunger Games TV host |
| Glenn Close | Drusilla Sickle | District 12 escort |
| Billy Porter | Magno Stift | Capitol stylist |
| Maya Hawke | Wiress | District 3 victor and mentor |
| Kelvin Harrison Jr. | Beetee Latier | District 3 victor and mentor |
| Lili Taylor | Mags Flanagan | District 4 victor and mentor |
| Iris Apatow | Proserpina Trinket | Capitol resident |
Are Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson in it?
Possibly, in small roles. The Hollywood Reporter reported in December 2025 that Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson would appear as Katniss and Peeta, and the film’s Apple TV listing now names both actors. Still, Lionsgate’s and Scholastic’s official cast lists don’t include them, and the studio hasn’t described their scenes. So treat their screen time as unknown until the film opens.
Who plays young Haymitch?
Joseph Zada plays young Haymitch. Woody Harrelson played the older Haymitch in the original four films, but Zada carries this story as a 16-year-old. Lionsgate also built its July 2026 “Meet Haymitch” featurette around him.
Is there a trailer?
Yes. Lionsgate has released a teaser, a first official trailer and a newer full trailer. Here is how the marketing rolled out.
| Date | Release | What it showed |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 20, 2025 | Surprise teaser | First look at Zada as Haymitch, released before filming wrapped |
| Apr 13, 2026 | First official trailer | The reaping, District 12 and the Capitol |
| Jul 4, 2026 | “Meet Haymitch” featurette | Character-focused clip with Zada |
| Sep 16, 2026 | New full trailer | More of the arena, plus Beetee and the District 3 mentors |
Outlets number these videos differently. For example, Deadline called the September clip a third trailer because it counts the teaser. Either way, the September 16 video is the latest and longest look at the film. You can watch every trailer on the official movie site or Lionsgate’s YouTube channel.
How long is it, and what is it rated?
The film runs 158 minutes, or about 2 hours 38 minutes, and carries a PG-13 rating. That makes it the longest Hunger Games movie yet, edging past The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes at 157 minutes.
Ireland’s film classification office, IFCO, lists the exact running time as 158 minutes and 4 seconds, with a 12A certificate, and Apple TV’s US listing shows the same 2 hours 38 minutes. In the US, parent-guide sites report that the MPA rated it PG-13 for strong violence, bloody images, disturbing material, some smoking and teen drinking. Meanwhile, some ticketing pages still show placeholder run times, such as 2 hours 30 minutes on Fandango, so rely on the 158-minute figure when planning your evening.
Watch out. PG-13 still means teens killing teens. The book is the darkest in the series, so parents of younger fans may want to watch the trailers first and judge from there.
Is Sunrise on the Reaping in IMAX?
Yes. The film opens in IMAX theaters on November 20, 2026, alongside standard screens. Because IMAX screens sell out first on big opening weekends, set a ticket alert if you want a premium seat.
When do tickets go on sale?
Lionsgate has not announced a ticket on-sale date yet. As of October 21, 2026, Fandango’s page for the film shows a “notify me” sign-up rather than showtimes.
Big franchise films usually open advance sales several weeks before release, so expect an announcement soon. In the meantime, sign up for alerts on Fandango or your local chain’s app. Then, when sales open, book IMAX and opening-night shows first, since those fill fastest. Also, if you plan a family outing over Thanksgiving week, remember that theaters get busy once school lets out.
Pro tip. Pair the movie with a Thanksgiving weekend plan. With the film opening November 20, the holiday week becomes a good second chance to see it if opening weekend sells out.
Book vs. movie: what carries over?
The movie keeps the book’s premise, its main characters and its creative team’s track record. However, nobody outside the studio knows how closely it follows every scene until it opens.
Scholastic published the novel on March 18, 2025. It sold more than 1.5 million English-language copies in its first week, the biggest debut in the series, and more than 4.4 million by January 2026, including over 3.3 million in the US, according to a Scholastic press release. A trade paperback followed on August 4, 2026, and a movie tie-in edition on September 1, 2026, each at $17.99 in the US.
| Detail | Book (2025) | Movie (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Story | Haymitch in the 50th Games, the Second Quarter Quell | Same premise, per the official synopsis |
| Tributes | Four per district, 48 in total | Cast includes four District 12 tributes |
| Length | About 400 pages | 158 minutes |
| Creative team | Suzanne Collins | Director Francis Lawrence; screenplay by Billy Ray and Michael Lesslie |
| Rating | Young adult | PG-13 |
Should you read the Sunrise on the Reaping book first?
If you have time, yes. The book adds inner thoughts and context that a 158-minute film has to trim, and it reframes moments from the original trilogy. Then again, the movie should work fine on its own, since the trailers explain the Quarter Quell clearly. If reading time is the problem, our guide on how to read more books has practical ways to fit 400 pages into a busy month.
Hunger Games movies in order
You can watch the Hunger Games movies in release order or in story order. Release order is best for first-timers, because the prequels assume you already know Katniss’s story.
| Release order | Film | US release | Which Games | Story order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hunger Games | Mar 23, 2012 | 74th | 3 |
| 2 | Catching Fire | Nov 22, 2013 | 75th (Third Quarter Quell) | 4 |
| 3 | Mockingjay, Part 1 | Nov 21, 2014 | After the 75th | 5 |
| 4 | Mockingjay, Part 2 | Nov 20, 2015 | After the 75th | 6 |
| 5 | The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | Nov 17, 2023 | 10th | 1 |
| 6 | Sunrise on the Reaping | Nov 20, 2026 | 50th (Second Quarter Quell) | 2 |
Together, the first five films have earned more than $3.3 billion worldwide, according to Lionsgate. Notably, Catching Fire remains the top earner at about $865 million.
What should you watch before Sunrise on the Reaping?
At minimum, watch The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. The first film introduces the older Haymitch, and Catching Fire covers the next Quarter Quell, with Beetee, Wiress and Mags, three characters the new movie shows as younger mentors. If you have more time, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes explains how Snow rose to power, which adds weight to Fiennes’s scenes.
Where can you stream the earlier films?
All five earlier Hunger Games films stream on Hulu in the US right now. They also stream through the Lionsgate+ channel on Amazon Prime Video, and through October 31, 2026, Fandango streams all five free with ads.
| Film | Subscription | Free with ads | Rent or buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hunger Games | Hulu, Lionsgate+ (Prime Video channel), Fubo | Fandango (through Oct 31) | Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
| Catching Fire | Hulu, Lionsgate+, Fubo | Fandango (through Oct 31) | Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
| Mockingjay, Part 1 | Hulu, Lionsgate+ | Fandango (through Oct 31) | Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
| Mockingjay, Part 2 | Hulu, Lionsgate+ | Fandango (through Oct 31) | Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
| The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | Hulu, Lionsgate+, YouTube TV | Fandango (through Oct 31) | Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Lionsgate and Fandango set up the free run from October 16 to October 31, 2026, as a lead-in to the new film, and they plan to sell Sunrise tickets through the same app. After that window closes, Hulu becomes the simplest option. To confirm the latest availability before you press play, check JustWatch, since films move between services without much notice.
Looking for something to watch after the marathon? Our list of the best Hulu shows in 2026 includes The Testaments, another dystopian story.
What do we know about the soundtrack?
James Newton Howard returns to score the film, his sixth Hunger Games movie. Separately, a companion album, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (The Album), arrives on November 13, 2026, one week before the movie.
Noah Kahan released the lead single, “Draw You Out,” on October 2, 2026, and he wrote it around Haymitch and Lenore Dove’s relationship, according to UPI and uDiscover Music. Then, on October 16, the Smashing Pumpkins released “Black Stars,” another song from the album. Dave Cobb serves as the album’s executive producer. However, the full tracklist hasn’t been published yet.
Our verdict
Sunrise on the Reaping is the year’s biggest young-adult film event, and it arrives with strong signals: the franchise’s longtime director, a bestselling source novel and a deep bench of actors. Mark November 20, 2026, turn on a Fandango ticket alert, and use the next four weeks to rewatch The Hunger Games and Catching Fire on Hulu. If you only have one evening, Catching Fire is the best warm-up, because it introduces the mentors and Quarter Quell rules this story builds on.
Frequently asked questions
When does Sunrise on the Reaping come out?
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in US and Canadian theaters on Friday, November 20, 2026, including IMAX screens. Lionsgate announced the date in June 2024 and has kept it since. The film releases only in theaters, and the studio has not announced a streaming date, so plan on a cinema trip if you want to see it this year.
Who plays Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping?
Joseph Zada plays 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy. Woody Harrelson played the older Haymitch in the original four films. Zada leads a cast that includes Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Ralph Fiennes as President Snow and Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee.
How long is Sunrise on the Reaping?
The film runs 158 minutes, or about 2 hours 38 minutes, according to Ireland’s IFCO classification and Apple TV’s US listing. That makes it the longest Hunger Games movie so far, just ahead of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes at 157 minutes. Some ticket sites still show placeholder times, so trust the 158-minute figure.
Is Sunrise on the Reaping rated PG-13?
Yes. Parent-guide sites report that the MPA rated it PG-13 for strong violence, bloody images, disturbing material, some smoking and teen drinking. That matches every earlier Hunger Games film. Still, the story centers on teenagers fighting to the death, so parents of younger children may want to watch the trailers before deciding.
Are Sunrise on the Reaping tickets on sale?
Not yet. As of October 21, 2026, Lionsgate had not opened advance ticket sales, and Fandango’s film page offered only a notify-me alert. Sign up for alerts on Fandango or your local theater chain’s app, then book IMAX and opening-night shows first, because those seats usually sell out fastest.
Where can I watch the Hunger Games movies before Sunrise on the Reaping?
All five earlier films stream on Hulu in the US. They are also available through the Lionsgate+ channel on Prime Video, and Fandango streams them free with ads through October 31, 2026. You can also rent or buy each film on Prime Video, Apple TV or Fandango at Home. Check JustWatch for the latest options.
