'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' trailer reveals intense first look at Haymitch’s Games and more

The trailer for 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' reveals young Haymitch facing the deadly 50th Hunger Games in Panem’s brutal arena.
A still of Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy and Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' (Cover image credit: Lionsgate | Photo by Murray Close)
A still of Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy and Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' (Cover image credit: Lionsgate | Photo by Murray Close)

The latest trailer for 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' promises plenty of drama, high-octane action, and the addition of Joseph Zada in the decorated franchise. Lionsgate's major project for 2026 now shows new content that will surely add to the film's anticipation. The latest piece of footage opens with the District 12 tributes entering the arena: Haymitch, Maysilee Donner, Wyatt Callow, and Louella McCoy. The warning gong sounds as President Snow (Ralph Fiennes) tells Haymitch he's 'on his own' as the fight for survival gets underway. The rest of the trailer gives a fleeting glimpse of all the major characters, Plemons' Heavensbee, setting the tone for the rebellion that takes place 24 years later.

The star-studded cast includes Joseph Zada, McKenna Grace, and Ben Wang. Rounding up the cast are Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Glenn Close, Ralph Fiennes, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Maya Hawke, Billy Porter, Lili Taylor, and Jesse Plemons. The latest revisits Panem, focusing on a young Haymitch Abernathy (Zada) before the events of The Hunger Games. The new film will focus on events set on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. Fanning plays a younger version of Effie Trinket, originally played by Elizabeth Banks. Fiennes plays President Coriolanus Snow, previously essayed by Donald Sutherland in the original films. Culkin will play Caesar Flickerman, the TV host of the Hunger Games (Stanley Tucci played it in the original films). Jesse Plemons will play a younger version of Plutarch Heavensbee, previously played by Philip Seymour Hoffman in the 'Mockingjay' films. 

A screenshot of Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' (Image credit: YouTube | Lionsgate)
A screenshot of Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' (Image credit: YouTube | Lionsgate)

The logline reads, ''Sunrise on the Reaping,' based on the 2025 book of the same name, is set 24 years before the first 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 as many tributes to the Capitol. Here, 48 children will fight to the death to win the Hunger Games." 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' follows Haymitch's electric victory in the 50th Hunger Games. The film is adapted from Suzanne Collins' book of the same name. Fans of the franchise hit a tizzy when it was announced that OG stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, who starred in the trilogy as Katniss and Peeta, would be returning in the highly anticipated prequel. Their addition suggests that the upcoming film will tie into the trilogy. The film hits cinemas on November 20.

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