What we know about the new Hunger Games movie based on the trailer

The new prequel of the Hunger Games franchise, Sunrise on the Reaping, follows the second victor of District 12 and mentor of Katniss and Peeta, Haymitch Abernathy. The trailer for the awaited adaptation of Suzanne Collin’s best-seller book that hit shelves in March, dropped last Thursday 20th of November. It reaped 109 million views in the first 24 hours, the second biggest launch for Lionsgate. 

Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The trailer shows snippets of scenes from the book that fans were able to recognize and get excited about. With no intention to spoil for those that haven’t read the book,there is one very special scene in the trailer.  It’s where we see Haymitch (played by Joseph Zada) hugging a little boy named Ampert. This parallels the relationship between Katniss and Rue from the original trilogy. 

Why is this Hunger Games movie so anticipated by fans?

The star-filled cast is one of the things that excites the fans the most. On the other hand, the relationship that has formed between the cast also warms the hearts of fans. Mckenna Grace, Joseph Zada, Iona Bell and Ben Wang form the District 12 kids that will attend this games and they have already managed to make the audience care for the characters much more. In the trailer we were able to see many of them in character. For example, one clip of Ralph Fiennes as President Snow wearing the iconic white rose on his lapel was enough for the audience to make connections with his backstory.

Altogether, the Hunger Games movies have always been known for putting out faithful adaptations and it looks like this one isn’t going to be the exception. The book has been a huge success and many readers are classifying it as the best of the series. It has even surpassed Catching Fire, which is a known fan favourite of the franchise. Additionally, the trailer dropped exactly one year way from its release on theaters. It is truly one of the most – if not the most – expected book-to-movie adaptations of 2026.