The Hunger Games world returns to the big screen — and this time it's about a character that fascinated fans for years before he ever shot an arrow. Sunrise on the Reaping tells the origin story of Haymitch Abernathy: Katniss and Peeta's sarcastic, cynical mentor, played by Woody Harrelson in the original films. The film adaptation will be released in cinemas on November 20, 2026.
But first: the book. And that was already released on March 18, 2026.
What is Sunrise on the Reaping?
Sunrise on the Reaping is Suzanne Collins' newest book in the Hunger Games franchise. It is set 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games and follows sixteen-year-old Haymitch Abernathy on the morning of his reaping — the moment he is chosen as a tribute for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
In the original story, Haymitch tells Katniss about the Second Quarter Quell as being particularly brutal. The book is set 40 years after the events of the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and 24 years before Katniss Everdeen's time in the arena. Substack
The Second Quarter Quell has a special rule: double the number of tributes. Instead of one man and one woman per district, two men and two women are chosen. Haymitch enters the arena with three other District 12 tributes, including his girlfriend Lenore Dove Baird and his friend Maysilee Donner.
The complete reading order of the Hunger Games franchise
Do you want to read everything in the correct order? This is the official timeline:
| Order | Title | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes | Early Panem, 64 years before Katniss |
| 2 | Sunrise on the Reaping | 24 years before Katniss |
| 3 | The Hunger Games | Katniss — 74th Hunger Games |
| 4 | Catching Fire | Katniss — Quarter Quell |
| 5 | Mockingjay | Katniss — The Uprising |
You can also read the books in publication order (The Hunger Games first), but the timeline order above provides the most context for Sunrise on the Reaping.
The cast of Sunrise on the Reaping
The film has assembled an impressive ensemble cast:
Joseph Zada as young Haymitch Abernathy
Joseph Zada will portray 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, the astute, emotionally complex tribute from District 12 who later becomes a beloved mentor in the original series.
Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird
Whitney Peak — known for her role as Zoya in the HBO Max Gossip Girl reboot — plays Haymitch's love interest, Lenore Dove Baird. Lenore is a descendant of Lucy Gray, played by Rachel Zegler in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Fandom
Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner
One of the other District 12 tributes in the Second Quarter Quell — a character fans of the original films already know from Haymitch's stories.
The rest of the cast:
- Jesse Plemons as young Plutarch Heavensbee
- Elle Fanning as young Effie Trinket
- Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman
- Ralph Fiennes as President Snow
- Glenn Close as Drusilla Sickle
- Maya Hawke as young Wiress
The director and script
The film is directed by Francis Lawrence, who has led all installments of the franchise since Catching Fire in 2012, based on a screenplay by Billy Ray.
Francis Lawrence knows the Hunger Games world like no other — he directed Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1 and 2, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This gives fans confidence that the tone and world of Panem are in good hands.
Why Haymitch is such an interesting main character
In the original Hunger Games films, Haymitch is more a supporting character than a main one: a cynical, sometimes drunken mentor who knows more than he lets on. But behind that facade is a story that Collins has consciously kept vague for years.
Sunrise on the Reaping finally answers the questions fans have always had: How did Haymitch win the Second Quarter Quell? What happened that shaped him so much? And what is his relationship with Lenore Dove — the woman described as a descendant of Lucy Gray from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes?
Read the book before November 20
The film will be released on November 20, 2026 — fortunately, you still have plenty of time to read the book. And with Sunrise on the Reaping, it's especially worthwhile, as the book has a layer of emotional depth that the film will inevitably condense.
If you read the original trilogy a long time ago, this is also a good time to re-read Catching Fire — the part that contains the most direct references to the Second Quarter Quell and Haymitch's past.
📚 Start your Hunger Games re-reading marathon
Use our Reading Log Book Tracker to keep track of which parts you have read and in what order you experienced them.
→ Order the Reading Log Book Tracker
What to read while waiting for the movie?
Do you like dystopian fiction, coming-of-age stories, or stories about survival and moral choices? These are the most recommended alternatives:
If you like the suspense and survival story:
The Maze Runner by James Dashner — an equally intense survival setting with similar moral dilemmas.
If you like the romantic undertone:
Sunrise on the Reaping has a strong love story at its core. Our Blind Date Book (Thriller) will surprise you with a thrilling story as you keep track of the countdown to November 20.
🎁 Let yourself be surprised while you wait
Our Blind Date Book (Thriller) is perfect for fans of suspense and dystopian stories.
→ Order a Blind Date Book (Thriller)
Complete your Sunrise on the Reaping reading moment
🏹 The complete Hunger Games reading set:
✔ Reading Log Book Tracker — keep track of which parts you have read
✔ Book Review Notebook — record what you thought and felt for each book
✔ Blind Date Book (Thriller) — for when you are waiting for the movie
✔ Glass Can — for the drink that accompanies every suspense
Frequently asked questions about Sunrise on the Reaping
When is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping coming out?
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released in cinemas on November 20, 2026. Deadline
Who plays Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping?
Joseph Zada plays 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy. The adult Haymitch was played by Woody Harrelson in the original films.
Who plays Lenore Dove in Sunrise on the Reaping?
Whitney Peak plays Lenore Dove Baird, Haymitch's love interest and a descendant of Lucy Gray from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Do I need to have read the other Hunger Games books before Sunrise on the Reaping?
Not mandatory, but recommended. Sunrise on the Reaping is partly self-contained, but contains references to both The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the original trilogy. Catching Fire is most relevant due to its references to Haymitch's past.
Who is directing Sunrise on the Reaping?
Francis Lawrence, who also directed Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1 and 2, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Is there already a trailer for Sunrise on the Reaping?
Yes, Lionsgate has released initial footage with the new cast. Search YouTube for "Sunrise on the Reaping trailer" for the latest footage.
Is Sunrise on the Reaping also available in English?
Yes, the book is available in English. Look for the English edition at your bookstore.
🏹 Ready for the Second Quarter Quell?
Reading Log • Book Review Notepad • Blind Date Book (Thriller) • Glass Can
Happy reading — and don't forget to mark November 20th in your calendar! 🏹📚