Lionsgate Releases Trailer for 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' Starring Joseph Zada

Lionsgate released the trailer for 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' on April 13, 2026. The film is the newest installment in the Hunger Games franchise, based on a novel by Suzanne Collins published in 2025. ' It centers on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell.

In the Second Quarter Quell, each district sends twice the usual number of tributes to the Capitol, resulting in 48 children competing in the arena instead of 24. The story follows Haymitch Abernathy, a young tribute from District 12. Joseph Zada stars as Haymitch Abernathy.

The ensemble cast also features Whitney Peak, Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, McKenna Grace, Maya Hawke, and Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Cast and Character Details Jesse Plemons plays a young Plutarch Heavensbee, while Ralph Fiennes portrays President Snow.

Glenn Close appears as Drusilla Sickle, a District 12 official, and Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, the broadcast host. Elle Fanning is cast as a young Effie Trinket, McKenna Grace as District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner, and Maya Hawke as a young Wiress. Whitney Peak plays Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch's love interest, and Kelvin Harrison Jr.

is also part of the ensemble. The screenplay was written by Billy Ray. Producers include Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, and Francis Lawrence. Deadline reported that Joseph Zada and Whitney Peak are making their debuts in the Hunger Games franchise with this film.

Franchise Background The Hunger Games franchise is based on five novels by Suzanne Collins that have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and been translated into 52 languages.

4 billion at the global box office across five movies. 5 million copies worldwide in its first week, the largest debut for any book in the series. ' The film is set for theatrical release on November 20, 2026.

Variety noted that the trailer shows Haymitch Abernathy fighting for his life in the Second Quarter Quell. Forbes highlighted familiar faces and characters in the trailer, including returning elements from the franchise's lore.