Sunrise on the Reaping, the newly announced Hunger Games prequel novel by Suzanne Collins, is being turned into a feature film.
On the morning of June 6, 2024, it was announced that Collins is working on another Hunger Games prequel novel titled Sunrise on the Reaping. Publishing on March 18, 2025, the novel will take place during the Second Quarter Quell, which are the games that Haymitch Abernathy was a part of.
Lionsgate has now announced that Collins’ forthcoming novel will be adapted into a feature film that is set to be released in United States theaters on November 20, 2026.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be produced by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson under their Color Force Banner.
Francis Lawrence may return to direct The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Francis Lawrence — who has directed a number of previous films in the franchise, including 2013’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, 2014’s The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1, 2015’s The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2, and 2023’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes — is in talks to direct the film.
No casting information has yet been announced, meaning it is unclear if Woody Harrelson, who played Haymitch in previous Hunger Games entries, will reprise his role.
“Suzanne Collins is a master storyteller and our creative north star,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group’s Adam Fogelson. “We couldn’t be more fortunate than to be guided and trusted by a collaborator whose talent and imagination are so consistently brilliant. We know Hunger Games fans worldwide will be spellbound by where Suzanne has focused this next extraordinary story. The Second Quarter Quell is legendary and looms large over the history of the Games, even into the time of Katniss Everdeen a quarter-century later. Like fans around the globe, we are eagerly anticipating this exciting return to Panem.”
Collins added, “From the beginning, Lionsgate has been a wonderful home and partner for the Hunger Games franchise, and I’m very excited to be collaborating with Adam and the team as we bring this next story to theaters in 2026.”
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping releases in United States theaters on November 20, 2026.
