Now that the book is out, here are 7 reasons to be excited about the newest Hunger Games movie, Sunrise on the Reaping.
Thanks to all the latest news about the latest Hunger Games movie, Sunrise on the Reaping is becoming a more and more exciting project every day. Suzanne Collins’ book with the same name came out just a little over a month ago, on March 18, 2025, giving us a lot to look forward to when it comes to the upcoming movie adaptation. While the film is still a long way from being released in theatres, these are 7 reasons to be excited about the 6th instalment of the Hunger Games saga.
1. The Games: The Quarter Quell in Sunrise on the Reaping
Sunrise on the Reaping starts on the day of the reaping, as the title may very well suggest. We know from the previous movies and books in the Hunger Games saga that Haymitch’s year is not just like any other Hunger Games but is, instead, a special edition to mark the 50th edition of the games. For this Quarter Quell, the Capitol asked each District to send double the tributes, which means that we will be introduced to an entirely new dynamic we have never seen before in the franchise. It will also give the audience a chance to see a new arena and a new environment that neither we nor the characters are going to be familiar with, as the arena where the games take place drastically changes every year.
2. Getting to know Haymitch in Sunrise on the Reaping
While Haymitch is one of the main characters in the Hunger Games saga, there is still a lot that we do not know about his backstory. As those of us who have read Sunrise on the Reaping would know, the latest instalment of the series will give us an insight into Haymitch’s history and family background in a way that is much more heartbreaking than we could have ever imagined when seeing his character in the first four movies. Not only will it show us how he goes on to win his edition of the games, but also the aftermath of his victory. If there is one thing the audience will have learned from the Hunger Games, it is that winning might just mean a whole new set of problems.
3. All the Hunger Games References in Sunrise on the Reaping
As the fourth book of the saga, Sunrise on the Reaping has a lot of references to the original trilogy as well as to the most recent prequel. Much like the rest of the movies of the Hunger Games series, the newest book is set in District 12 for all the parts of the story that are not set in the Capital. But the references go a lot beyond the district setting, as the book brings back a lot of characters, especially past winners of the games, that the audience will know from previous books and films and will be excited to see them come back in the newest story.
4. Familiar Names and Familiar Faces in Sunrise on the Reaping
The familiar names and faces might be somewhat expected in Sunrise on the Reaping. After all, Catching Fire, the second instalment of the series, introduced us to a lot of past victors who would easily be present as mentors in the 50th Hunger Games. However, the movie will also feature some characters in District 12 who are more connected to the main characters of the Hunger Games saga than viewers may expect. The film will show us how Haymitch’s past is connected to some other key characters, like Katniss Everdeen and even Lucy Gray Baird from The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
5. The Coveys Returning in Sunrise on the Reaping
The previous Hunger Games movie, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, introduced a brand new element to the worldbuilding of the Hunger Games: the Coveys. As audiences will know, The Coveys were a nomadic people in Panem who ended up settling down in District 12 and were known for their musical talents and performances. As they are not featured in the main saga, it is very interesting to see the Coveys feature in Sunrise on the Reaping, giving us more background on their story and what happened before the events of Hunger Games when they had disappeared from District 12 entirely.
6. The Cast Featured in Sunrise on the Reaping
The casting for most of the main characters in Sunrise on the Reaping has recently been announced, and we now have a face for almost all of the key players in this story. Joseph Zada will be the protagonist, 16-year-old Haymitch, whom Woody Harrelson famously played in the original saga. His love interest, Lenore Dove Baird, will be played by Whitney Peak, who will follow Rachel Zegler’s footsteps in portraying the Coveys in the Hunger Games saga. As many fans had predicted and hoped, McKenna Grace is going to be Maysilee Donner, one of Haymitch’s fellow tributes from District 12. The adult characters feature some more familiar names, including Jesse Plemons as a fan favourite, Plutarch Heavensbee, who was played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in the first four Hunger Games movies.
7. The Theme of Propaganda in Sunrise on the Reaping
Before the first chapter, the book begins with a George Orwell quote: “All propaganda is lies, even when one is telling the truth. I don’t think this matters so long as one knows what one is doing, and why.” Therefore, it is immediately clear that Sunrise on the Reaping will focus heavily on the theme of propaganda by showing the audience how the footage of Haymitch’s games is significantly manipulated by the Capitol in order to show their version of events rather than what actually happened.
Overall, there is a lot to look forward to about Sunrise on the Reaping, even if the film is more than a year away with its release date scheduled for the 20th November 2026. With the book having just come out, the audience can now have a very clear idea of what the film is going to portray and touch on, as well as raise the expectations even higher for the latest instalment of the Hunger Games series. It is especially exciting to think about the newest film adaptation now that the casting for the movie has been announced for most of the main characters of the story.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released in US theaters, in UK & Irish cinemas, and globally in theaters on November 20, 2026.
