The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set to reach theatres across North America on Friday, November 20, with select premium-format screenings beginning two days earlier.
Tickets for the film went on sale October 28, giving fans the option to book regular showings or early-access screenings where participating theatres have released schedules.
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When can audiences see the Hunger Games prequel?
The earliest announced screenings begin Wednesday, November 18, at 6 p.m. local time at participating theatres.
Those early-access presentations are being offered through premium formats that include IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, ScreenX, Cinemark XD, Regal RPX and AMC Prime, although availability varies by location.
The wide theatrical release remains Friday, November 20, 2026.
Moviegoers should check local theatre listings before buying because early screenings are not available at every venue and showtimes can differ between cities.
What is Sunrise on the Reaping about?
The new Hunger Games film is set 24 years before the events involving Katniss Everdeen in the original film series.
It follows 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy from District 12 on the morning he is selected for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
The anniversary Games carry a particularly severe rule change, with twice as many tributes sent into the arena compared with a regular edition.
The story is adapted from Suzanne Collins’s 2025 novel Sunrise on the Reaping, which explores Haymitch’s life before he became the mentor portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the earlier films.
The setting also gives the film an opportunity to revisit the political structure of Panem and the Capitol’s use of the Games as a tool of control.
Who stars in the new film?
Joseph Zada plays the younger Haymitch Abernathy, while Mckenna Grace portrays fellow District 12 tribute Maysilee Donner.
The cast also includes Whitney Peak, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Jesse Plemons, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Maya Hawke and Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Fiennes plays President Snow, a character whose earlier life and rise within the Capitol were central to The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
Francis Lawrence returns as director after leading several previous Hunger Games films.
How the release schedule works
| Date | Release event |
|---|---|
| October 28, 2026 | Tickets went on sale for regular and early-access showings. |
| November 18, 2026 | Selected premium-format early-access screenings begin at 6 p.m. local time. |
| November 20, 2026 | North American theatrical release. |
The early-access plan puts the film in front of some audiences before its official opening date while reserving the broadest release for November 20.
For Canadian viewers, the exact mix of IMAX, premium large-format and standard screenings will depend on local theatre chains and regional schedules.
Why the film matters to the franchise
Sunrise on the Reaping is the second film prequel to the original Hunger Games trilogy, following The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, which focused on a younger Coriolanus Snow.
This instalment shifts the focus to a character who was already familiar to audiences as an older, damaged mentor in the original story.
That connection gives the film a direct link to the first four movies while allowing the filmmakers to show a different generation of tributes and Capitol officials.
The film also arrives after Collins’s novel expanded the franchise’s history and introduced a new account of Haymitch’s experience in the arena.
What viewers should know before booking
- Early-access screenings are limited to participating theatres.
- Premium-format showtimes may carry different prices and seating arrangements from regular presentations.
- The official wide release date is Friday, November 20, 2026.
- Parents should review the rating and content warnings before bringing younger viewers.
The film has been listed with a PG-13 rating for strong violence, bloody images, disturbing material, some smoking and teen drinking.
At roughly two and a half hours, it is also a substantial theatrical commitment, so audiences may want to check the runtime listed by their theatre when selecting a show.
With tickets already available, the next major milestone is the November 18 early-access rollout, followed by the full North American opening two days later.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping released?
The film is scheduled for a wide North American theatrical release on Friday, November 20, 2026.
Can audiences see Sunrise on the Reaping early?
Yes. Select premium-format early-access screenings begin Wednesday, November 18, at 6 p.m. local time.
Who plays Haymitch in the new Hunger Games film?
Joseph Zada plays the younger Haymitch Abernathy.
What is Sunrise on the Reaping about?
The film follows Haymitch during the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell, 24 years before the original story.
Are early screenings available at every theatre?
No. Early-access showings are limited to participating theatres and formats, so viewers should check local listings.
Fact-Checked: Key release dates, early-screening details, film premise and cast information were checked against Lionsgate, the official Hunger Games site and current theatre listings.
Disclaimer: Showtimes, formats, ratings and ticket availability can vary by theatre and may change before release.