The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is many things. It’s the Haymitch Abernathy backstory we’ve all been waiting for. (Which, of course, you can read right now in book form, if you’d like.) It’s another movie in a franchise that feels more resonant than ever. AND it’s a movie that is somehow full of incredibly big names and famous faces. In The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, we get to see Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Jesse Plemons, Glenn Close, Maya Hawke, Mckenna Grace, and Ralph Fiennes take center stage. They’re not playing our main characters, but man, do they pull focus. You can watch the trailer for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping below.
For those who have forgotten, here’s the synopsis of the new Hunger Games movie, “THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING revisits 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.” This Hunger Games, of course, is the one that brought Haymitch Abernathy into the arena, paving the way for him to become the haggard victor who would help Katniss and Peeta navigate through their own games. Rumor has it that Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will reprise their roles as Katniss and Peeta in the movie, but we haven’t seen any glimpses of them yet.
Additionally, if of interest, here is the synopsis of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping‘s novel synopsis:
As the day dawns on the fiftieth 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.
A young Haymitch Abernathy will be played by Joseph Zada in the movie. And it’s a testament to Zada that despite all the aforementioned big names, he still manages to catch our attention in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping trailer. We’re already pulling for him, all the while bracing for the tragedy that we know cannot be avoided.
As for this new Hunger Games movie’s other stars… The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping trailer lets us see Kieran Culkin as Hunger Games host Caesar Flickerman, Elle Fanning as a younger Effie Trinket, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, a role previously played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, “the cruel escort to the District 12 Tributes,” Maya Hawke as Wiress, a victor turned mentor, and Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner. And, of course, there’s Ralph Fiennes, stepping into the villainous role that was originated by the late Donald Sutherland. You can read more about all these roles here.
Well, here we go again. May the odds be ever in our favor. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping releases on November 20, 2026. Its source novel is available to buy today.
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