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In theaters Fri Nov 20, 2026Sunrise on the Reaping: release date, tickets, runtime and watch order
By The Trends Incoming team · Oct 15, 2026
Haymitch is finally getting his moment. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in US theaters on Friday, November 20, 2026, and the fandom is already volunteering as tribute. Here's everything you need, minus the spoilers.
| Release | Friday, Nov 20, 2026 (US theaters) |
|---|---|
| Tickets | National presale date not yet announced. Laemmle says no later than Tue Nov 17, 7pm. |
| Rating | PG-13 (per Fandango and theater listings) |
| Runtime | Not officially confirmed. Most listings say 2 hr 30 min; some say 158 or 160 min. |
| Director | Francis Lawrence |
| Cast | Joseph Zada (young Haymitch), Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, Maya Hawke, Kelvin Harrison Jr. |
🎟️ Getting tickets
No big-chain presale date yet. When it drops, these are the places to check:
Pro tip: opening-weekend premium screens (IMAX, Dolby, big recliners) usually go first. Set an alert and grab seats early.
📺 Watch order before you go
Release order is the classic route. Chronological fans can start with the 2023 prequel. All five streamed on Hulu from Oct 14, 2026.
| # | Film | Why watch | Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) | Set 64 years before Katniss. Optional, but great context for Snow. | Hulu |
| 2 | The Hunger Games (2012) | Where it all starts. Katniss volunteers. | Hulu |
| 3 | The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) | The one with the most Haymitch backstory hints. | Hulu |
| 4 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) | The rebellion goes public. | Hulu |
| 5 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015) | The finale. | Hulu |
Heads up: they left Netflix in the US on Oct 14. Streaming deals move fast, so double-check before movie night.
🔥 Spoiler-free refresher
Panem is a country split into a glittering Capitol and twelve struggling districts. Every year, each district must send two teenagers into a televised fight for survival called the Hunger Games. It's a punishment for an old rebellion, dressed up as entertainment.
Every 25th year is a "Quarter Quell" with an extra-cruel twist. Sunrise on the Reaping goes back to the 50th Games, the second Quell, 24 years before Katniss. Our lead is a teenage Haymitch Abernathy from District 12. If you only know him as Katniss's grumpy, sharp-tongued mentor, this is the story of how he got that way. It's based on Suzanne Collins's 2025 novel.
Quick answers
When does Sunrise on the Reaping come out?
Friday, November 20, 2026, in US theaters. Some theaters may add Thursday night previews, so check your local listings.
When do Sunrise on the Reaping tickets go on sale?
A nationwide presale date has not been announced yet. Laemmle Theatres says its tickets go on sale no later than Tuesday, November 17 at 7pm, and may open earlier.
How long is Sunrise on the Reaping?
Not officially confirmed. Fandango and several theaters list 2 hr 30 min, but other listings show 158 or 160 minutes.
What is Sunrise on the Reaping rated?
Fandango and theater listings show PG-13.
Do I need to watch the other Hunger Games movies first?
No, it's a prequel set 24 years before the first film. But Catching Fire hits differently once you know Haymitch's story, so a rewatch is a fun warm-up.
Where can I stream the Hunger Games movies?
All five earlier films moved to Hulu on October 14, 2026, after leaving Netflix the same day. Availability changes, so check Hulu before you start.
Dig into the conversation
Sources
- Fandango: release date, rating, runtime, cast
- Laemmle: tickets on sale no later than Nov 17
- Cinemark: Nov 20 release
- Showtimes.com listing
- ComingSoon: all five films hit Hulu Oct 14
- Netflix Tudum: leaving Netflix in October
- Lionsgate UK film page
By The Trends Incoming team · Fact-checked 2026-10-14. Dates change, so double-check with the official source.