By Morfeli Data Desk (AI-assisted, data-checked) · Published: November 13, 2026 · Last updated: November 13, 2026 · 4 min read
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping returns to the dystopian world of Panem for a prequel story set during the 50th Hunger Games.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled for release on November 18, 2026. This science fiction action film is part of the long-running franchise set in a post-apocalyptic future.
Release dates and details are as listed on TMDB on November 13, 2026 and can change before opening day. Spoiler-free.
- Release date: Nov 20, 2026 (US theatrical)
- Days from today: 6
- Runtime: 2 h 39 min (159 minutes)
- US rating: PG-13
- Genres: Science Fiction, Action, Adventure
- Directed by: Francis Lawrence
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping: Release Date and Key Facts
| Release date | 2026-11-18 |
|---|---|
| Genres | Science Fiction, Action, Adventure |
| Runtime | 2 h 39 min (159 minutes) |
| Directed by | Francis Lawrence |
| Written by | Billy Ray, Michael Lesslie |
| Top cast | Joseph Zada, Mckenna Grace, Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons |
| US rating | PG-13 |
| Production | Lionsgate, Color Force, about:blank |
| Franchise | The Hunger Games – New Trilogy Collection |
| More details | IMDb page · TMDB page |
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Official Trailer
Official trailer via YouTube. Watch on YouTube
What We Know So Far
Set 24 years before the initial Hunger Games, the story begins on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games. This event is historically known as the Second Quarter Quell.
- The film has a runtime of 159 minutes.
- It is rated PG-13.
- The story is based on a young adult novel.
Confirmed Cast
- Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy
- Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner / Merrilee Donner
- Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow
- Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee
- Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle
- Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
- Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket
- Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
Behind the Camera
| Music by | James Newton Howard |
|---|---|
| Cinematography | Jo Willems |
| Editing | Mark Yoshikawa |
| Producers | Brad Simpson, Nina Jacobson, Suzanne Collins, Cameron MacConomy |
The Cast and Crew’s Track Record
Francis Lawrence (director): recent films
| Film | Year | TMDB score |
|---|---|---|
| The Long Walk | 2025 | 6.8/10 |
| The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | 2023 | 7.0/10 |
| Slumberland | 2022 | 7.2/10 |
| Red Sparrow | 2018 | 6.5/10 |
| The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 | 2015 | 6.9/10 |
| The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 | 2014 | 6.8/10 |
Average across these 6 films: 6.9/10 on TMDB.
Director Francis Lawrence’s last 6 films average 7.0/10 on TMDB. The cast members have recent projects averaging between 7.1 and 7.6/10 on TMDB.
Other recent work from the lead cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (since 2020):
| Actor | Recent project | Type | Role | TMDB score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Zada avg 7.6/10 | East of Eden (2026) | TV | Cal Trask | 7.8/10 |
| East of Eden (2026) | TV | Caleb Trask | 7.8/10 | |
| We Were Liars (2025) | TV | Johnny Sinclair | 7.2/10 | |
| Mckenna Grace avg 7.3/10 | PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie (2026) | Movie | Skye (voice) | 8.1/10 |
| Scream 7 (2026) | Movie | Hannah Thurman | 6.2/10 | |
| Batman: Caped Crusader (2024) | TV | Natalia / Nocturna (voice) | 7.3/10 | |
| Marvel Studios Legends (2021) | TV | Young Carol (Archive Footage) | 7.4/10 | |
| Ralph Fiennes avg 7.1/10 | No Time to Die (2021) | Movie | M | 7.3/10 |
| 28 Years Later (2025) | Movie | Dr. Kelson | 6.6/10 | |
| 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) | Movie | Dr. Kelson | 7.1/10 | |
| The Menu (2022) | Movie | Chef Slowik | 7.2/10 |
Where It Fits in the The Hunger Games – New Trilogy Collection
| Film | Released | TMDB score |
|---|---|---|
| The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | Nov 15, 2023 | 7.0/10 |
| The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping | Nov 18, 2026 | 10.0/10 |
Release Timeline (US)
| Release | Date |
|---|---|
| Premiere | Nov 16, 2026 |
| Theatrical release | Nov 20, 2026 |
The Competition: Other Releases Around Nov 20, 2026
These wide releases are listed within ten days of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping:
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| Nov 11, 2026 | The Gospel of Christmas |
| Nov 12, 2026 | Allen |
| Nov 13, 2026 | Ebenezer |
| Nov 13, 2026 | How to Rob a Bank |
| Nov 13, 2026 | Victorian Psycho |
| Nov 17, 2026 | Second Chance Holiday |
| Nov 25, 2026 | Hexed |
| Nov 25, 2026 | Focker-in-Law |
Who Is It For?
- Fans of science fiction and adventure stories set in dystopian futures.
- Viewers interested in the origins of the Hunger Games franchise.
Watch Before The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Audience recommendations from TMDB that fit the same mood:
| Title | TMDB score | About |
|---|---|---|
| The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) | 7.0/10 | 64 years before he becomes the tyrannical president of Panem, Coriolanus Snow sees a chance for a change in fortunes when he mentors Lucy Gray Baird,… |
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping released?
TMDB lists the release as Nov 20, 2026 (US theatrical), which is 6 days from November 13, 2026. Release dates can move, so check the studio for updates.
Who stars in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping?
Joseph Zada, Mckenna Grace, Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons, Glenn Close.
Who directs The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping?
Francis Lawrence.
Is there a trailer for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping?
Yes. The official trailer is embedded on this page.
How long is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping?
TMDB lists a runtime of 2 h 39 min (159 minutes). Final runtime can change.
Data checked on November 13, 2026. Movie and TV data from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings via OMDb (IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic) where shown. Scores change over time; check the source for the latest numbers.
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About this page. Published by Morfeli on November 13, 2026. Facts come from public data sources (TMDB, OMDb, Deezer, Ticketmaster and entertainment news feeds) and are compiled with AI assistance. Review roundups summarize public scores and audience reviews; they are not a critic’s review, and nobody here claims to have watched or rated a title for the page. Dates, scores and availability change over time. See our Editorial Policy.
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