Lionsgate dropped a surprise teaser for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping on Nov. 20, 2025. The prequel arrives Nov. 20, 2026 in theaters worldwide. Joseph Zada plays young Haymitch Abernathy in this origin story. The film explores the 50th Hunger Games, set 24 years before Katniss‘s saga.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Release Date: Nov. 20, 2026 in IMAX format
- Star Power: Features Glenn Close, Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Jesse Plemons
- Book Sales: Novel sold 1.5 million copies in first week
- Director: Francis Lawrence helming the prequel
- Timeline: Takes place 24 years before original Katniss story begins
What Just Dropped: The Teaser Breaks the Internet
Lionsgate surprised fans with a teaser trailer released on Nov. 20, 2025. The footage features an all-star cast that blends household names with rising talent. Joseph Zada leads as a young Haymitch Abernathy, the iconic character played by Woody Harrelson in original films.
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The teaser captures the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also called the Second Quarter Quell. According to CNN, “the action is intense almost from the start.” The footage shows tributes facing off in brutal competition. It’s a raw look at how Haymitch survived this deadly game decades ago.
“The new film starts on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, and the action is intense almost from the start.”
Why Fans Are Already Buzzing
This prequel answers questions that have haunted fans since The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. The cast is absolutely stacked with talent. Glenn Close plays Drusilla Sickle. Ralph Fiennes returns as President Snow. Kieran Culkin takes on Caesar Flickerman. The nostalgia factor is huge.
Elle Fanning plays Effie Trinket, the iconic Capitol stylist. Jesse Plemons stars as Plutarch Heavensbee. Maya Hawke joins as Wiress. Younger actors like Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, and Ben Wang bring fresh energy. The book series proved the franchise still has serious appeal.
The novel “Sunrise on the Reaping” dropped in March 2025 and became an instant hit. It sold 1.5 million copies in its first week globally. That’s twice the first-week sales of “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.” Readers are hungry for Haymitch‘s origin story.
The Movie Details: Release & Production
The film launches on Nov. 20, 2026, exactly one year from the teaser reveal. It hits theaters in IMAX format. Director Francis Lawrence returns to helm the franchise. Billy Ray adapted the screenplay from Suzanne Collins‘s bestselling novel.
| Release Date | Nov. 20, 2026 |
| Director | Francis Lawrence |
| Lead Actor | Joseph Zada as young Haymitch |
| Studio | Lionsgate Pictures |
| Format | Standard & IMAX |
The five-film franchise has already grossed over $3.3 billion globally. This prequel taps into Panem lore that fans have craved for years. Producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson return from previous films. The production wrapped in Spain, adding authentic European locations.
What To Expect: Plot & Timeline
The story opens on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games. This is the Second Quarter Quell, a special version of the games with unique rules. Haymitch is a tribute forced to compete as a 16-year-old. The action kicks off immediately and never slows down.
This film explains how Haymitch became the bitter, mysterious mentor fans met in the original series. Viewers will learn about his survival, his trauma, and his secrets. The timeline places this story 24 years before Katniss enters the games. It connects the Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes era to the main saga.
- Setting: Panem, 24 years before Katniss‘s games
- Event: The 50th Hunger Games reaping ceremony
- Protagonist: Young Haymitch Abernathy, only 16 years old
- Tone: Intense action with political intrigue and survival
- Theme: The making of a broken man and bitter survivor
Will This Become the Next Blockbuster Franchise Anchor?
The franchise has staying power that rivals other major studios. Box office numbers speak volumes. The original Hunger Games films made billions. The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes performed strongly in 2023.
Book sales for “Sunrise on the Reaping” exceed expectations. The novel moved 1.2 million copies in the U.S. alone during its first week. That’s triple the first-week sales of “Mockingjay.” Publishers can’t keep it in stock. Movie studios take notice of these metrics.
The cast lineup alone guarantees audience interest. Ralph Fiennes brings gravitas. Kieran Culkin proved his charisma with “Succession.” Young stars like Mckenna Grace draw Gen Z viewers. This film opens Nov. 20, 2026. Mark your calendars now. The Second Quarter Quell arrives soon.
Watch the official teaser trailer:
The franchise continues to prove its cultural relevance. Pre-orders for advance tickets begin 2026. Industry experts predict this ranks among the year’s biggest releases. Panem calls. Are you ready to answer?
Sources
- Deadline Hollywood – Teaser trailer announcement and cast details
- CNN Entertainment – Film preview and plot summary overview
- Wikipedia & IMDB – Production and release information
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.