The fifth installment of “The Hunger Games” series, titled “Sunrise on the Reaping,” will soon make its cinematic debut, following Lionsgate’s announcement Thursday. The film adaptation is set to hit theaters on November 20, 2026, coinciding with the publication of the book on March 18, 2025.
Francis Lawrence, the director behind the majority of “The Hunger Games” movie adaptations, is in discussions to helm the new film, the studio revealed.
The storyline of “Sunrise on the Reaping” revisits the dystopian world of Panem, unfolding twenty-four years before the events depicted in the original “Hunger Games.” It begins on the morning of the reaping for the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. Author Suzanne Collins drew inspiration from David Hume’s concept of implicit submission and the power dynamics between the masses and the ruling elite.
Collins explained, “The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative.” She added, “The question ‘Real or not real?’ seems more pressing to me every day.”
Fans of “The Hunger Games” will recall that the 50th Hunger Games, or the 2nd Quarter Quell, was won by District 12’s Haymitch Abernathy. Woody Harrelson portrayed Haymitch in the film series starring Jennifer Lawrence.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” continues the legacy of “The Hunger Games” book series, which commenced with the release of “The Hunger Games” in 2008, followed by sequels “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay” in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The prequel, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” debuted in 2020.
All previous books in the series have been adapted for the big screen.
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With over 100 million copies of the previous four “Hunger Games” books distributed worldwide in print and digital formats, and the cumulative box office earnings of the five feature films exceeding $3.3 billion globally, the forthcoming adaptation of “Sunrise on the Reaping” is anticipated to resonate with fans and audiences alike.
