Forty-eight tributes. One arena. “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” is barreling toward theaters, and the wait is nearly over. This fifth big-screen chapter of Suzanne Collins’s dystopian saga rewinds the clock 24 years before Katniss Everdeen ever stepped foot in an arena, dropping audiences into the chaos of the Second Quarter Quell and the tragic origin of a young Haymitch Abernathy. Our team at StreamSafely has been counting down the days, and we can’t wait to see how this darker, angrier corner of Panem plays out on the big screen.
While the excitement builds, we’re also focused on the part that comes after opening weekend: making sure viewers land on legitimate, dependable platforms instead of known piracy sites that quietly put personal data and devices at risk. Our mission has always been to give movie buffs a trustworthy map through a crowded streaming landscape, and this new installment is no exception.
Everything You Should Know Before Seeing The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
The Hunger Games franchise began in 2012 with an adaptation of Suzanne Collins’s book series of the same name. “The Hunger Games” (2012) introduced the world to Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, and the brutal spectacle of Panem’s annual Games. Three more entries followed in quick succession: “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” (2013), then a two-part finale with “Mockingjay – Part 1” (2014) and “Mockingjay – Part 2,” closing out the original quartet by 2015. The series went quiet for nearly a decade before returning with a prequel, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” (2013), which followed a young Coriolanus Snow’s rise decades before he became Panem’s tyrannical president and starred Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler.
That prequel’s box-office success set the stage for Collins to keep expanding the timeline, and she did exactly that with her 2025 novel “Sunrise on the Reaping,” which follows a teenage Haymitch Abernathy through the horror of the 50th Hunger Games. Lionsgate announced the film adaptation the same day it confirmed the book, well over a year before it hit shelves.
Because the novel is written entirely from Haymitch’s perspective and covers a huge amount of ground — his childhood, the Games themselves, and their devastating aftermath — the film is expected to compress and restructure parts of the timeline for pacing purposes, as prior adaptations in this franchise have done. Exact deviations haven’t been confirmed, but fans shouldn’t be surprised if certain side characters or subplots get trimmed to keep the runtime manageable.
Book Plot (Spoilers)
Sunrise on the Reaping begins with Haymitch Abernathy waking up on his sixteenth birthday, which also happens to be reaping day for the 50th Hunger Games. Because it’s a Quarter Quell, twice the usual number of tributes are chosen. Before the Reaping Ceremony, Haymitch spends time with his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird, who gives him a flint striker as a birthday gift and voices her belief that the districts should resist the Capitol rather than accept the Games as inevitable.
During the reaping, when a tribute drawn ahead of him is shot while trying to flee, Haymitch ends up thrown into the Games alongside fellow District 12 kids.
Once the Games begin, Haymitch discovers that the beautiful meadow-and-forest arena is filled with poisonous food, water, plants, and genetically engineered creatures called “mutts.” After the initial bloodbath kills many of the tributes, Haymitch forms a shaky alliance with several others, and the group — aided by future trilogy characters Beetee and Wiress — hatches a scheme to sabotage the arena’s underlying machinery rather than simply try to outlast the competition.
Rather than focusing on the outcome of the Games, Sunrise on the Reaping explores the human cost of living under a system built on spectacle, manipulation and control. As Haymitch navigates the arena, he confronts questions about truth, power, resistance and the role of media in shaping public perception. Through themes of propaganda, censorship and the impact of violence as entertainment, the novel reinforces many of the ideas that have made The Hunger Games resonate with readers for nearly two decades.
All About The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
This is the origin story fans have waited over a decade for. Sixteen years old and thrown into a Quarter Quell built to punish an entire generation, Haymitch Abernathy discovers that survival and rebellion might be the same fight — but winning the Games may cost him everything he loves.
Director: Francis Lawrence
Francis Lawrence has directed every Hunger Games film since the second movie, “Catching Fire” (2013), through “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” (2023), making him the natural choice to steer this prequel as well. Before joining the franchise, he broke through with the horror hit “I Am Legend” (2007), and has also directed the spy thriller “Red Sparrow” (2018) and “The Long Walk” (2025).
Genre
Like its predecessors, “Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” carries the franchise’s iconic mix of Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Thriller, blending dystopian world-building with the survival-thriller pacing that has defined every prior installment.
Runtime
The official runtime is confirmed at 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Rating
The MPA has officially slated the film to be PG-13 for its violence and dark themes.
Theatrical Release Date
“Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” is scheduled to open in theaters on November 20, 2026.
Streaming Options
“Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” will be released exclusively in theaters, with no streaming co-release. As of September 2026, all five previous Hunger Games installments are available to stream on Netflix, so it is likely that this all-new movie will join them following its theatrical run. However, the franchise has been rotated on and off of Netflix in the past, so be sure to check StreamSafely’s online movie database to catch any changes.
Our website helps viewers like you find exactly which movies are streaming on which platforms without wading through unreliable sites. There are many reasons to avoid pirated content, chief among them the risk of exposing your sensitive information and passwords, as well as malware. Unauthorized streaming platforms intentionally try to look legitimate to trick unsuspecting viewers, so recognizing the telltale signs of illegal streaming sites is the first step in protecting yourself from security breaches.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Trailer
Every reaping has a story the Capitol doesn’t want told, and this one belongs to Haymitch Abernathy. Get your first look at the Games that changed the trajectory of his life forever in the all-new official trailer.
Cast and Crew
Australian newcomer Joseph Zada leads the film as a teenage Haymitch Abernathy, the role Woody Harrelson made iconic in the original quartet, in what’s shaping up to be his breakout Hollywood turn. Opposite him, McKenna Grace plays Maysilee Donner, Haymitch’s District 12 ally in the arena. Grace is already well known for “Gifted” (2017), “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” (2021), and “The Handmaid’s Tale” (2017-2025).
Outside the arena, Elle Fanning is starring as a young Effie Trinket, taking over the role originated by Elizabeth Banks. Fanning recently earned acclaim for “A Complete Unknown” (2024) and appears in both “Sentimental Value” (2025) and “Predator: Badlands” (2025).
The supporting cast includes several prestige names playing younger versions of familiar faces. Ralph Fiennes takes over as a young President Coriolanus Snow, following his Oscar-nominated turn in “Conclave” (2024) and his role in “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2014). Jesse Plemons, known for “Breaking Bad” (2008-2013), “Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023) and “Bugonia” (2025), plays a younger Plutarch Heavensbee, while Glenn Close, who has had eight Academy Award nominations over her career, and Kieran Culkin, fresh off his Oscar win for “A Real Pain” (2024) and his role on “Succession” (2018-2023), both join the Capitol-side ensemble in supporting parts.
See the list below for members of this incredible cast:
Tributes:
- Joseph Zada: Haymitch Abernathy, a tribute from District 12 who is born on the same day of the Reaping
- Mckenna Grace: Maysilee Donner, a tribute from District 12 and owner of the Mockingjay Pin
- Ben Wang: Wyatt Callow, a tribute from District 12
- Molly McCann: Louella McCoy, a tribute from District 12
- Iona Bell: Lou Lou, a tribute from potentially District 11
- Percy Daggs IV: Ampert Latier, a tribute from District 3
- Jhaleil Swaby: Panache Barker, a tribute from District 1
- Laura Marcus: Silka Sharp, a tribute from District 1
- Sky Frances: Maritte, a tribute from District 4
- Rada Rae: Wellie, a tribute from District 6
- Tatyana Muzondo: Ringina, a tribute from District 7
- Alina Reid: Kerna, a tribute from District 9
- Salimou Thiam: Clayton, a tribute from District 9
- John Doeble: Buck, a tribute from District 10
- Kaine Buffonge: Hull, a tribute from District 11
Capitol Residents:
- Elle Fanning: Effie Trinket, a Capitol stylist
- Ralph Fiennes: President Snow, the president of Panem
- Jesse Plemons: Plutarch Heavensbee, a cameraman for The Hunger Games
- Glenn Close: Drusilla Sickle, a Capitol chaperone for the District 12 tributes
- Kieran Culkin: Caesar Flickerman, the host of The Hunger Games
- Billy Porter: Magno Stift, a Capitol stylist for the District 12 tributes
- Iris Apatow: Proserpina Trinket, a Capitol prep team member
- Edvin Ryding: Vitus, a Capitol prep team member
- Sandra Förster: Hersilia, a trainer for the Hunger Games
- Jax Guerrero: Tibby, a transportation attendant for the District 12 tributes
Mentors:
- Maya Hawke: Wiress, victor of the 49th Hunger Games
- Kelvin Harrison Jr.: Beetee Latier, victor of the 34th Hunger Games
- Lili Taylor: Mags Flanagan, victor of the 11th Hunger Games
District 12 Residents:
- Whitney Peak: Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch’s girlfriend and descendant of the Covey Caravan
- Kara Tointon: Willamae Abernathy, Haymitch’s mother
- Smylie Bradwell: Sid Abernathy, Haymitch’s brother
- Scot Greenan: Burdock Everdeen, Haymitch’s best friend and future father of Katniss Everdeen
- Grace Ackary: Asterid March, Maysilee’s best friend and future mother of Katniss Everdeen
- Jeffrey Hallman: Clerk Carmine, Lenore Dove’s uncle
- Jefferson White: Mr. McCoy, Louella’s father
- Serafin Mishiev: Woodbine Chance, a District 12 citizen
- Melody Chikakane Brown: Hattie Meeney
- Devon Singletary: Blair, Haymitch’s friend
Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are also expected to reprise their roles as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, respectively.
The crew includes:
- Director: Francis Lawrence
- Writers: Billy Ray, Michael Lesslie
- Executive Producers: Meredith Wieck, Cameron MacConomy, Scott O’Brien, Mika Saito, María Cabello
- Composers: James Newton Howard
- Production Companies: Lionsgate, Color Force
How To Stream The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Once “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” finishes its theatrical run, it will likely make its way to Netflix, joining its predecessors. Rather than guessing which service picked it up or risking landing on a malicious lookalike site, check StreamSafely’s movie database as the streaming date approaches. We track down exactly where new releases land and partner with 100% free, legal streaming platforms so you don’t have to comb through unverified results or break the bank with another streaming subscription.
Rather than focusing on the outcome of the Games, Sunrise on the Reaping explores the human cost of living under a system built on spectacle, manipulation and control. As Haymitch navigates the arena, he confronts questions about truth, power, resistance and the role of media in shaping public perception. Through themes of propaganda, censorship and the impact of violence as entertainment, the novel reinforces many of the ideas that have made The Hunger Games resonate with readers for nearly two decades.
