The Hunger Games Draw Closer as New ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Trailer Enters the Arena
The next trailer for ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’, the latest dystopian adventure in the multi-billion-dollar franchise, has just dropped, and regardless of where on the Hunger Games timeline a story takes place, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping takes place a quarter century before the events of the original Hunger Games films and follows a young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) as he is picked to represent District 12 in the 50th Hunger Games, where twice the normal number of participants are chosen to take part in the death battle. In a bid to survive, Haymitch joins forces with a coalition of other tributes, including Maysilee Donner (Mckenna Grace), who seek to end the oppressive games and the regime of the evil President Snow (Ralph Fiennes).
The trailer begins with an opulent view of the Capitol, as colorful smoke fills the massive arena as President Snow looks on. We then see a quick glimpse of chaos unfolding in this celebratory stadium as Snow monologues to Haymitch about “his games”. We then get glimpses of Haymitch in District 12, a grey and dull world, which is contrasted with the beauty of the Hunger Games arena, a massive green vista full of nature. But that is quickly changes as the games begin and the tributes begin to mercilessly kill each other for the entertainment of their tyrannical taskmasters.
Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee (previously portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman) questions the motivation of our protagonist as we see a defiant Haymitch stand up to Snow and his game masters. As Haymitch begins to clap mockingly, the sound reverberates to other scenes in the trailer. An erupting volcano, burning foliage and Haymitch being lifted into the arena are all highlighted. The trailer ends over a montage of horrific creatures attacking the tributes as our hero is willed to rise up.
Sunrise on the Reaping was announced to be in production simultaneously as the novel it was based on was announced, with franchise director Francis Lawrence, who helmed five of the previous films, in talks to direct. Casting was announced throughout 2025, most surprising of which was the return of original Hunger Games stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, who were announced to be reprising their original roles of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, respectively.
The novel on which the film is based was released in March of 2025 to positive reviews. Only time will tell if this new feature film will reach those same critical heights or the same box office potential as the previous installments. Regardless, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is sure to be an epic dystopian tale of rebellion and romance.
Return to Panem when The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping releases on November 20, 2026, directed by Francis Lawrence. It stars Joseph Zada, Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Mckenna Grace, Maya Hawke, Whitney Peak, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Ben Wang. It is by directed by Francis Lawrence. It is written by Billy Ray and Michael Lesslie, based on the novel by Suzanne Collins.
Check out the full trailer below: