Lionsgate has unveiled the first teaser trailer for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the upcoming prequel film set for release on November 20, 2026. The trailer, dropped on November 20, 2025, features glimpses of the 50th Hunger Games and has already stirred strong emotions among fans, particularly over a heartbreaking scene involving Haymitch Abernathy's family. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the movie adapts Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel and stars Joseph Zada as a young Haymitch.
Trailer Highlights
The teaser opens with the reaping ceremony introduced by Capitol escort Drusilla Sickle, played by Glenn Close. Her voiceover explains the Second Quarter Quell, which doubles the number of tributes from each district, setting the stage for the bloodiest Games in Panem's history. Quick cuts show the arena, young Haymitch (Joseph Zada), and tributes like Maysilee Donner (McKenna Grace), Wyatt Callow (Ben Wang), and Ampert Latier (Percy Daggs IV). Viewers also catch sights of key figures including President Snow (Ralph Fiennes), Lenore Dove (Whitney Peak), Effie Trinket (Elle Fanning), and Plutarch Heavensbee (Jesse Plemons).
A particularly emotional moment depicts a house burning with three characters in the foreground—two holding back the third—implied to be Burdock Everdeen (Scot Greenan) and Asterid March (Grace Ackary) restraining Haymitch during a tragic family event from the book.
Fan Reactions
Fans expressed devastation on social media. One wrote on X, "They put haymitch house burning in the teaser this movie will destroy me." Another said, "the pan from sid and haymitch to the house burning down i feel. so ill." A third exclaimed, "OH MY FUCKING GOD AMPERT AND HAYMITCH + THE HOUSE BURNING DO THEY WANT ME TO K*LL MYSELF." A fourth noted, "screamed several times in agony at 1 second clips of certain scenes… haymitch’s burning house, lenore dove, ampert, lou lou, THE DAMN FLOWERS?!? i’m bringing a whole tissue box to the theatre."
Film Background
Set 24 years before the original Hunger Games, the story follows Haymitch Abernathy as he competes in the 50th Hunger Games. The film bridges The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) and the Katniss Everdeen trilogy. Francis Lawrence returns as director, with a script by Billy Ray and producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson. Production began in summer 2025 at Spain’s Somiedo Natural Park. The ensemble cast includes Maya Hawke as Wiress, Lili Taylor as Mags, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Billy Porter as Magno Stift, and more. An official trailer is expected mid-2026.