Five movies just weren’t enough, but thankfully it’s Suzanne Collins to the rescue. The author has released another Hunger Games novel, meaning Sunrise on the Reaping is getting the movie treatment.
It’s already been two years since the release of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and well over a decade since the original Hunger Games trilogy came to life on screen. However, Hunger Games hysteria has reared its head again in 2025, and it’s all thanks to Suzanne Collins.
She’s released a new novel called Sunrise on the Reaping, following Haymitch Abernathy’s victory at the 50th Hunger Games. It’s an essential part of how Katniss Everdeen eventually took down the Capitol two decades later, with Haymitch later becoming a member of the rebellion.
If you’ve already read it, there’s good news – Sunrise on the Reaping will be turned into a movie, just like the other books. From release date to latest casting news, we’ve got the full rundown in preparation.
Sunrise on the Reaping release date
Sunrise on the Reaping is currently expected to be released on November 20, 2026.
The adaptation will be directed by Francis Lawrence and written by Billy Ray, and is set to begin filming in July 2025.
The book was released on March 18, 2025, selling over 1.5 million copies worldwide in its first week.
Where does it sit in the Hunger Games timeline?
The new movie will be the second prequel to the original Hunger Games trilogy, sitting just behind The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
LionsgateIf you wanted to watch them all in their canonical timeline, your binge would look like this:
- The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
- Sunrise on the Reaping
- The Hunger Games
- The Hunger Games – Catching Fire
- The Hunger Games – Mockingjay Part 1
- The Hunger Games – Mockingjay Part 2
Obviously, the same goes for the books, except Mockingjay originally wasn’t split into two parts.
The real-life chronology instead looks like this:
- The Hunger Games (2012)
- The Hunger Games – Catching Fire (2013)
- The Hunger Games – Mockingjay Part 1 (2014)
- The Hunger Games – Mockingjay Part 2 (2015)
- The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
- Sunrise on the Reaping (2026)
Confirmed Sunrise on the Reaping cast
Joseph Zada leads the cast as the young version of Haymitch, with big names including Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, and Kieran Culkin also introduced.
LionsgateThe confirmed cast currently looks as follows:
- Haymitch Abernathy – Joseph Zada
- Effie Trinket – Elle Fanning
- President Snow – Ralph Fiennes
- Caesar Flickerman – Kieran Culkin
- Leonore Dove Baird – Whitney Peak
- Maysilee Donner – McKenna Grace
- Plutarch Heavensbee – Jesse Plemons
- Beetee – Kelvin Harrison Jr
- Wiress – Maya Hawke
- Mags – Lily Taylor
- Louella McCoy – Molly McCann
- Wyatt Callow – Ben Wang
- Lou Lou – Iona Bell
Again, we’ve seen some of these characters on the big screen before. Elizabeth Banks originally played Effie, Donald Sutherland and Tom Blyth as Snow, Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee. The Sunrise on the Reaping versions of these characters will be directly following on from the original cast.
Most importantly, Haymitch was played by Woody Harrelson in the original trilogy. By the time Katniss offers herself up as tribute, Haymitch acts as her mentor while being a secret member of the rebellion. It’s currently unknown if Harrelson would return for a flash-forward cameo in Sunrise on the Reaping.
If you watched or read Catching Fire, you’ll recognize the last three names on the list too. Beetee was played by Jeffrey Wright, Wiress by Amanda Plummer, and Mags by Lynn Cohen. While we sadly know how their stories ended, we have little knowledge about the backstories that landed them back in the arena (unless you’ve read the most recent book, of course.)
All other names – including Leonore Dove Baird and Maysilee Donner – are brand new to Sunrise on the Reaping.
Sunrise on the Reaping plot
Without giving away too many spoilers from the book, Sunrise on the Reaping takes place 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, where a young Haymitch Abernathy participates in the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
LionsgateAs the book itself explains, “As the day dawns on the 50th annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves. When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break.
“He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight … and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.”
Fans should expect plenty of Hunger Games and Ballads of Songbirds & Snakes Easter eggs, alongside answers to questions that have been hanging over our heads for years (ahem, the names of Katniss’ parents).
Is it connected to the other stories?
In a nutshell, yes. You will need knowledge of all the other books and movies before watching Sunrise on the Reaping, which essentially bridges the gap between
LionsgateOur new prequel takes place takes place 40 years after the events of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and we can expect some pretty hefty references from what has already been.
While we can hazard a good guess at exactly what’s to come from the book, we don’t yet know how closely the movie version is going to adapt it.
For more, find out where to stream the Hunger Games movies, how Haymitch won The Hunger Games, and why you’re wrong about the worst Hunger Games movies.
