First Trailer Released For The Hunger Games: Sunshine On The Reaping

Lionsgate has just released the epic first trailer for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the next film in the beloved franchise. It stars Joseph Zada, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, and more. 

Sunrise on the Reaping will be based on the 2025 book of the same name. The plot is set 24 years before the first Hunger Games film and follows a young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) who is selected to compete in the 50th Hunger Games. Since the Games are the second Quarter Quell, which takes place every 25 years, each district of Panem must send twice the tributes to the capital, where 48 children will then fight to the death to win the Hunger Games.

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The trailer footage is the first look at Zada in the role, which was originally played by Woody Harrelson in the original series. It also features our first look inside the action of the games and our first looks as other characters, such as Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle and Jesse Plemons as a younger Plutarch Heavensbee. Other cast members include: Elle Fanning as a younger version of Effie Trinket, Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, McKenna Grace, Billy Porter, Whitney Peak, Ben Wang, Molly McCann, Iona Bell, and Percy Daggs IV.

The film is directed by Francis Lawrence, who directed virtually all the other films in the series so far (all except the first!). The screenplay was written by Billy Ray, with Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson returning as producers for the film. 

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released in cinemas on 20th November 2026.

About the Author

Danny Humby

Editor

Danny is a freelance media creative with a background spanning marketing, journalism and governance. From 2021 to 2024 he was Chair of the Student Radio Association and is currently a Trustee at Chichester Festival Theatre. He holds an MSc in Marketing and a BA in Film and Television from Solent University, and remains passionate about supporting young people, the arts, and charitable organisations to help broaden their reach and impact. He can be found under @popcornandpace on Instagram.

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