(Photo Credit: Lionsgate)

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has made a new record ahead of its theatrical debut. The prequel returns to Panem 24 years before the original story, following a young Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games.

The Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) has listed the film’s runtime as 158 minutes, making it the longest film in the franchise. At 2 hours and 38 minutes, it would run one minute longer than The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, provided both runtimes are confirmed. The film will arrive in theaters on November 20, 2026.

Sunrise on the Reaping explores the 50th Hunger Games and Haymitch Abernathy’s past

Based on Suzanne Collins‘ 2025 novel, the film follows young Haymitch Abernathy as he enters the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell. To mark the anniversary, the Capitol changes the rules and selects four tributes from each district rather than two. This sends 48 contestants into the arena, making the competition even more dangerous.

Joseph Zada leads the film as a young Haymitch Abernathy. Woody Harrelson portrayed Haymitch in the original film series, in which the character mentors Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. The prequel examines the experiences that shaped Haymitch’s distrust of the Capitol.

The supporting cast includes Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, and Glenn Close. Francis Lawrence returns as director after helming several previous installments in the franchise. Lawrence also serves as a producer alongside Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson. The screenplay is written by Billy Ray and Michael Lesslie.

The Second Quarter Quell is an important chapter in Haymitch’s history, revealing more about his survival and the lasting effects of the Capitol’s brutality. The story further explores Panem’s political system. The Capitol uses the annual Games to keep its districts under control.

With its extended runtime, Sunrise on the Reaping will have more time to explore the competition, its tributes, and the political forces surrounding the arena.

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