THE HUNGER GAMES: Sunrise On the Reaping: Release Date, Runtime and Full Cast

The next chapter of Panem’s history is here. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping takes audiences back to the Second Quarter Quell, decades before Katniss Everdeen entered the arena. The prequel follows a young Haymitch Abernathy as he faces one of the most brutal editions of the Hunger Games.

With a new cast taking on familiar characters and a story rooted in Suzanne Collins’ bestselling series, the film is one of November 2026’s major theatrical releases. Here is what to know about the Sunrise on the Reaping runtime, release date, cast, and place in the Hunger Games timeline.

Quick Facts: Sunrise on the Reaping

The film is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on November 20, 2026. Current listings give it a runtime of 2 hours and 38 minutes, although audiences should check their local cinema listings for final showtime information. Its US classification is PG-13 for material including violence and disturbing images.

Where Does Sunrise on the Reaping Fit in the Hunger Games Timeline? 

Sunrise on the Reaping is a prequel set 24 years before the events of the original The Hunger Games story. It begins on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, an edition known as the Second Quarter Quell.

The Quarter Quell takes place every 25 years, with a special rule introduced for each anniversary edition. For the 50th Games, the Capitol requires each district to send twice its usual number of tributes. That means 48 young people are sent into the arena instead of the usual 24.

At the center of the story is 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy from District 12. Readers and film audiences already know him as the former victor who later mentors Katniss and Peeta. This prequel explores the events that shaped him long before he became their mentor.

The film adapts Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name, published on March 18, 2025. In the franchise timeline, the story takes place 40 years after The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games. 

Sunrise on the Reaping Cast: Who Plays Who? 

The cast brings together established performers and younger actors playing earlier versions of familiar Panem characters. Joseph Zada leads the film as Haymitch, while several supporting roles connect directly to people audiences recognize from the original films.

Joseph Zada takes on the leading role of young Haymitch, a character previously portrayed as an adult by Woody Harrelson. Whitney Peak plays Lenore Dove Baird, an important figure in Haymitch’s story, while Mckenna Grace appears as fellow District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner.

Other notable casting choices include Elle Fanning as a younger Effie Trinket, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee and Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman. Ralph Fiennes plays President Snow, the powerful Capitol leader whose control shapes life across Panem.

The ensemble also includes Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle, Billy Porter as Magno Stift, Maya Hawke as Wiress and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee Latier. These roles help connect the prequel to the wider history of the districts and the Capitol.

Who Directs Sunrise on the Reaping?

Francis Lawrence directs The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. He has previously directed several films in the franchise, including Catching Fire, Mockingjay – Part 1, Mockingjay – Part 2 and The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. 

The screenplay is credited to Billy Ray and Michael Lesslie, with the story based on Suzanne Collins’ novel. Producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are also returning to the franchise through their production company, Color Force.

Lawrence’s return gives the prequel continuity with the visual style and world-building of the later Hunger Games films, while the new cast brings a different generation of characters to the screen.

Do You Need to Read the Book Before Watching?

No. You do not need to read Sunrise on the Reaping before watching the film. The movie is an adaptation of Collins’ novel, but viewers can follow the central premise through the story of Haymitch and the Second Quarter Quell.

Knowing the original films may make certain character connections more meaningful, particularly the younger versions of people audiences have already met. However, the prequel is set well before Katniss’ story, so it has its own central conflict and cast of characters.

If you want more background on the events and characters, reading the novel beforehand is an option. It is not a requirement for understanding the film.

More November 2026 Movies to Watch 

Sunrise on the Reaping is not the only film arriving in November. If you are planning your cinema calendar, see our guide to November 2026 movies, including Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, for more upcoming releases and their dates.