‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Trailer: The Hunger Games Returns for a Familiar, Bloodier Prequel

There is certainly a massive fanbase for these ‘Hunger Games’ movies, and truth be told, the franchise has delivered a couple of good instalments, both of which starred Jennifer Lawrence.

The fact of the matter is that ‘Hunger Games’ movies are kiddie’s play when compared to their obvious influence, “Battle Royale,” although the book’s author, Suzanne Collins, has long denied any direct connection — a claim that grows harder to buy each time the similarities are stacked side by side.

The latest one is titled “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” and we now have a trailer. Francis Lawrence is directing the film, with Billy Ray writing the screenplay. There have been five “Hunger Games” movies, with the last one being “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” starring WoR fave Rachel Zegler.

“Sunrise on the Reaping,” based on the 2025 novel of the same name, is set 24 years before the original film and follows a young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada), who is chosen to compete in the 50th Hunger Games. As the second Quarter Quell — held every 25 years — the rules mandate that each district send twice the usual number of tributes. This time, 48 children enter the arena, forced to fight to the death for a single victor.

The cast also includes Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Jesse Plemons, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Glenn Close, Maya Hawke, Mckenna Grace, Billy Porter, Whitney Peak, Ben Wang, Molly McCann, Iona Bell, and Percy Daggs IV.

I will say I didn’t mind ‘Songbirds & Snakes,’ a decent prequel, but the first two Jennifer Lawrence–starring “Hunger Games” instalments, especially ‘Catching Fire,’ were far and away the best of the lot. Francis Lawrence isn’t a bad filmmaker. Sure, a paycheck guy, but he tends to deliver from time to time. He’s actually directed a handful of watchable studio films over the course of his 20+ year career. Nothing overtly exceptional, but he’s been semi-consistent: “Constantine,” “I Am Legend,” “Red Sparrow” and ‘Catching Fire’ are the ones that standout.

Described as a prequel, “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” follows the Second Quarter Quell and serves as the origin story of Haymitch, who was previously played by Woody Harrelson. It’s set for release on November 20, 2026.