Sunrise on the Reaping: The Hunger Games Story Coming to the Big Screen
The world of Panem is returning to cinemas.
Suzanne Collins’ Sunrise on the Reaping is set to make its journey from page to screen, with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping arriving in cinemas on 20 November 2026.
Released as a novel in March 2025, Sunrise on the Reaping takes readers back to Panem 24 years before the events of the original The Hunger Games, focusing on the 50th Hunger Games – the infamous Second Quarter Quell.
Back to Panem
This time, the story centres on a much younger Haymitch Abernathy, long before we know him as the mentor, strategist and reluctant victor from the original trilogy.
On the morning of the reaping, Haymitch is thinking about anything but the Games. He wants to spend time with the girl he loves and make it through the day. But the 50th Hunger Games comes with a brutal twist: to mark the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be selected from each district.
When Haymitch's name is called, his life changes instantly. Taken from District 12 and sent to the Capitol alongside three other tributes, he soon begins to realise that there may be more at stake than simply surviving the arena.
A new chapter in The Hunger Games
Sunrise on the Reaping offers a chance to explore a part of Panem's history that has been mentioned throughout the original series but never fully told.
The Second Quarter Quell has always been one of the most significant Games in the history of Panem, particularly because of its impact on Haymitch. Now, readers can finally experience what happened through his eyes.
And with the film adaptation on the horizon, there's never been a better time to pick up the book and return to the world of The Hunger Games.
From page to screen
Lionsgate announced the film adaptation alongside the publication of the novel. The adaptation will bring the story of Haymitch's Games to the big screen, returning audiences to Panem for another chapter in the hugely successful franchise.
Whether you're a longtime Hunger Games fan or discovering Panem for the first time, Sunrise on the Reaping is a fascinating addition to Suzanne Collins' world – and one worth reading before the film arrives.
The countdown to the next Games has begun.
