Last updated: October 8, 2026. Release dates and cast details can change; confirm showtimes with your local theater. This guide avoids major plot spoilers.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled to open in theaters on November 20, 2026. It is the sixth film in the franchise and adapts Suzanne Collins’s 2025 novel of the same name, with Francis Lawrence returning as director. The first trailer has been released, and the cast is large. Here is what is known so far.
Release Date and Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping |
| Theatrical release | November 20, 2026 |
| Director | Francis Lawrence |
| Screenplay | Billy Ray |
| Producers | Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson (Color Force) |
| Based on | Suzanne Collins’s 2025 novel |
| Runtime | Not confirmed at the time of writing |
Some early reports and translated listings have called the film “Sunrise on the Harvest.” The official title is Sunrise on the Reaping.
What the Story Is About
The film is set 24 years before the first Hunger Games movie. It follows a young Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell, in which each district sends twice the usual number of tributes. According to Rotten Tomatoes’ preview, Haymitch must survive the arena and the Capitol’s manipulations, and his relationship with Lenore Dove is part of the story. Longtime fans know Haymitch as the mentor in the original films, so this is an origin story for a familiar character.
Cast
As reported by Rotten Tomatoes, the cast includes:
- Joseph Zada as young Haymitch Abernathy
- Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow
- Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle
- Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
- McKenna Grace as Maysilee Donner
- Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee
- Maya Hawke as Wiress
- Lili Taylor as Mags
- Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
- Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
- Jesse Plemons as young Plutarch Heavensbee
- Billy Porter as Magno Stift
- Ben Wang as Wyatt Callow
Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson have also been reported by trade outlets to be returning, but their roles had not been confirmed in the source reviewed for this guide.
Do You Need to Watch the Earlier Films?
You do not need to, since the story takes place decades before the original series, but it helps. Characters such as Beetee, Wiress, Mags, Effie Trinket, and Caesar Flickerman appear in the earlier films, so watching them first makes the casting more meaningful. If you want a refresher on the franchise, the original four films and the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (also directed by Francis Lawrence) provide the context. If you have read the novel, expect a story that centers on Haymitch’s perspective.
Where It Fits in the 2026 Movie Season
November is the start of the holiday movie season and the bridge to awards season. If you are planning your autumn moviegoing, see our roundup of October 2026 horror movies in theaters, and our look ahead at the 2027 Oscars dates, rules, and early contenders.
Tips for Seeing It in Theaters
- Check showtimes early. Opening weekends for franchise films sell out in premium formats first.
- Compare formats. Standard, large-format, and IMAX screens vary in price and experience. Pick based on how much you value the screen size.
- Avoid spoilers. Trailers and social media posts can reveal plot points from the book. Turn off notifications on opening day if you want to stay fresh.
- Buy from official sellers. Use the theater’s own site or a reputable ticketing app to avoid reselling scams.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Sunrise on the Reaping come out?
It is scheduled for theaters on November 20, 2026.
Who directs the movie?
Francis Lawrence, who also directed Catching Fire, both Mockingjay films, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Billy Ray wrote the screenplay.
Who plays Haymitch?
Joseph Zada plays the young Haymitch Abernathy.
Is it based on a book?
Yes, Suzanne Collins’s 2025 novel The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
How long is the movie?
A runtime had not been confirmed in the sources used for this guide. Check the theater listing closer to release.
Sources: Rotten Tomatoes editorial, “Everything We Know About The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” (April 2026). Details may be updated by the studio before release.
