by Alex Billington
April 13, 2026
Source: YouTube
“Break the machine. Change the games.” Lionsgate has unveiled the main official trailer for their next epic The Hunger Games sequel – titled in full The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. It’s a prequel to the original The Hunger Games stories, but also a sequel to the other recent The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes movie from 2023 (which was pretty good). It’s set to arrive in theaters on November 20th, 2026 in the fall later this year. Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem and follows young Haymitch Abernathy 24 years before the events of THG, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. Something major will go down this time that will change the games forever. This has an exceptional cast: Joseph Zada as Haymitch, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow, Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Elle Fanning as young Effie Trinket, Mckenna Grace as tribute Maysilee Donner, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Whitney Peak, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. So much raw talent. Well – this is looking very good! They’ve been able to continue this series with the right spunk & energy. I’m excited for it! Haymitch fights back and challenges the whole Panem machine this time around. Viva la revolución!
Here’s the official trailer for Lawrence’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, via YouTube:
You can rewatch the first teaser trailer for Lawrence’s THG: Sunrise on the Reaping right here for more.
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. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is once again directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Francis Lawrence, director of the movies Constantine, I Am Legend, Water for Elephants, Hunger Games: Catching Fire + Mockingjay 1 & 2 + The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Red Sparrow, Slumberland, and The Long Walk previously. The screenplay is written by Billy Ray. It’s based on the novel written by Suzanne Collins and first published in 2025 earlier this year. Produced by Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Francis Lawrence. Lionsgate will debut Lawrence’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping in theaters worldwide on November 20th, 2026 in the fall later this year. Any good? Who wants to watch?
