Lionsgate has unveiled the much-anticipated teaser trailer for “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” offering fans an evocative first look at the franchise’s next chapter, set to premiere November 20, 2026. The movie goes back 24 years before the original trilogy, focusing on a young Haymitch Abernathy’s traumatic experience during the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell.
An Epic Return to Panem
Set decades prior to Katniss Everdeen’s rise, “Sunrise on the Reaping” revisits Panem at a time when the Capitol demands double tributes from each district—raising the stakes and emotional intensity for the reaping. In the teaser, Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle draws names in District 12, with moments highlighting the expanded conflict and scale. Haymitch, brought to life by Joseph Zada, faces trials that shaped him as a victor in a game twice as deadly, while the cast is rounded out by Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons, and more.
Franchise Continuity and Creative Team
Francis Lawrence, who previously helmed several Hunger Games films, returns as director, with a screenplay by Billy Ray and longtime producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson at the helm. The adaptation draws from Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel, extending the franchise’s legacy while tapping into themes of survival, sacrifice, and growing unrest in Panem. The teaser and early footage have already sparked excitement, with the trailer trending and generating millions of views in its first 24 hours.
Box Office and Fandom Impact
The announcement builds on the Hunger Games’ extraordinary box office history—with previous films amassing over $3.3 billion globally—and the new prequel set for a robust opening based on initial response and pre-sale book figures. With stunning visuals and the promise of a deeper exploration into Panem’s past, “Sunrise on the Reaping” is poised to capture fans old and new as it heads into the final stage of production and marketing for 2026’s cinematic event.