Tributes, prepare yourselves for an epic return to the arena! The legendary Jennifer Lawrence and the ever-resilient Josh Hutcherson are set to slip back into their iconic roles as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark for the highly anticipated The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, slated for a blockbuster release in 2026, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
This sixth entry in the epic Hunger Games saga promises to transport fans back in time—a whole 24 years before the first explosive film! Get your Mockingjay pins ready because a time-bending twist will bring Katniss and Peeta to the forefront once more. Fans of Suzanne Collins' electrifying novel Sunrise on the Reaping, which hit shelves earlier this year, might already be piecing together how this beloved duo will reenter the fray!
The anticipation hit a fever pitch with the debut trailer launch just last month, dropping jaws and triggering a countdown frenzy for the November 20, 2026, release date. Sunrise on the Reaping promises a double whammy, serving as both a prequel to the original saga and a sequel to the riveting narrative begun in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This tale first unfurled in 2020 as a captivating book, followed by a sweeping film adaptation in 2023.
Back at the helm is the master storyteller Francis Lawrence, whose directorial genius has crafted every Hunger Games entry since Catching Fire. Joining Lawrence on this cinematic crusade are stellar talents Joseph Zada, Elle Fanning, the venerable Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Jesse Plemons, and the ever-dynamic Kieran Culkin.
Excitement also simmers from senior editor and Hunger Games aficionado Luke who can be hunted down on Bluesky @mrlukereilly. There, fans can join in the buzz and theorize just how Katniss and Peeta will storm into Sunrise on the Reaping!