First Look at Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping: Young Haymitch Ready for Action in the 50th Quarter Quell

"The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" is scheduled to hit theaters in the United States and Canada simultaneously on November 20, 2026.

The screening will be available in IMAX, promising an immersive cinematic experience for dedicated fans.

As a prequel to "The Hunger Games" (2012) and a sequel to "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" (2023), the film marks the sixth installment in the worldwide dystopian saga.

Adapted from Suzanne Collins' novel, published in March 2025, the film has garnered global attention since its announcement.

"Sunrise on the Reaping" itself sold over 1.5 million copies in its first week, setting a record for the biggest debut in the "Hunger Games" series.

The success of the novel is a strong indicator of the high expectations for the big-screen adaptation.

Francis Lawrence, the experienced director who has helmed four previous "The Hunger Games" films, returns to the helm of production.

"The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" is set 24 years before the events of the first "The Hunger Games" novel.

The narrative begins on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell.

The film's primary focus is the journey of young Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, as he is forced to compete in the 50th Hunger Games.

As the Second Quarter Quell, each district is required to send double the number of tributes, resulting in a total of 48 tributes fighting to the death in a deadly arena.

The novel and film will delve into themes of ruthless political manipulation, the pervasive power of propaganda, and the complexities of social control under the Capitol's totalitarian regime.

Audiences will also gain a deeper understanding of Haymitch's relationship with his lover, Lenore Dove Baird, and the tragic events that shaped her character into the cynical and iconic Hunger Games victor.

The production of "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" features a team familiar with the franchise.

Francis Lawrence returns as director, while Billy Ray is responsible for writing the screenplay, adapted from the original novel.

Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson also return as producers, ensuring the continuity of the established quality.

Filming is scheduled to begin in July 2025, with some production already underway in Somiedo Natural Park, Spain, in August 2025.

The filming locations are expected to provide stunning visuals and reflect the image of Panem depicted in the story.

The film's cast is star-studded, with Joseph Zada ​​as young Haymitch Abernathy and Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird.

Other big names like Mckenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow, and Kieran Culkin also join the cast, promising powerful and captivating performances in "Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping."

On November 20, 2025, Lionsgate officially released the teaser trailer, poster, and "first look" images for "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping."

This release marked the one-year countdown to the film's theatrical debut, sparking a wave of excitement among fans worldwide.

The two-minute trailer showcases a compelling Joseph Zada ​​as young Haymitch Abernathy, along with Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, who introduces the Second Quarter Quell.

The trailer also offers glimpses of other characters, the grim atmosphere of District 12, the grandeur of the Capitol, and the tension leading up to the brutal vote.

Fan reaction on social media has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the adaptation's faithfulness to the source novel and deeming Joseph Zada ​​a perfect choice for Haymitch.

This high level of enthusiasm indicates that "Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping" is highly anticipated as a crucial bridge between "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" and the main trilogy.