‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Unveils Stunning New IMAX Poster
The countdown to the next chapter of Panem is officially underway. ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ is just weeks away from theaters, and Lionsgate is ramping up its campaign for the Haymitch Abernathy origin story.
The prequel takes audiences back 24 years before the events of the original film, beginning on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, known as the Second Quarter Quell. Joseph Zada stars as young Haymitch, a District 12 tribute born on the same day as the reaping.
Now a new IMAX poster has arrived, and it’s one of the most visually arresting pieces of marketing yet. The artwork features Zada’s Haymitch standing amid a sea of vibrant wildflowers and fluttering blue butterflies, dressed in a silver-and-white outfit.
Behind him, a volcano erupts into a smoky sky while a beam of light shoots up from the arena in the distance. The poster carries a Filmed for IMAX banner across the top, with the lettering itself woven with flowers and butterflies.
New IMAX poster for ‘THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING’ has been released. In theaters November 20. https://t.co/MNNpU6KvzO
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) October 28, 2026
The contrast between the colorful blooms and the fiery backdrop is a fitting nod to the franchise’s signature blend of beauty and danger. It also arrives as tickets officially went on sale on October 28.
‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ has been branded the first ‘Hunger Games’ film to carry the Filmed for IMAX label. According to reports, more than 45 minutes of the movie will play in IMAX’s expanded aspect ratio.
The official trailer for ‘THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING’ has been released. In theaters November 20. https://t.co/Y3pZplrFUb
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) April 13, 2026
Cinematographer Jo Willems, who has worked on 5 ‘Hunger Games’ films, explained to Entertainment Weekly that the production used IMAX-approved digital cameras rather than IMAX film cameras. Their taller sensors made the expanded presentation possible.
Willems also revealed that the frame will open up to fill the IMAX screen as the tributes rise into the arena. Fans have pointed out that the moment echoes the iconic aspect ratio shift from ‘Catching Fire’, where the screen seemed to open up just as the Games began.
The arena footage itself was filmed in Spain’s Cantabrian Mountains. Production took place across locations in Spain and Germany. The film is part of a crowded slate of premium-format releases this fall. ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ joins ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ and ‘Ramayana: Part 1’ as titles filmed for IMAX, a lineup that reportedly cost ‘The Cat in the Hat’ its own planned IMAX run.
Collectors, the odds are most definitely in your favour 🍿🥤 The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping merch is coming to Vue. https://t.co/ddRnnigPw5 https://t.co/0yNxt0Ij8J
— Vue (@vuecinemas) October 28, 2026
International fans are getting in on the action too. IMAX Melbourne in Australia, home to the world’s largest IMAX screen, has confirmed it will screen the film from November 19, a day before its U.S. release.
Francis Lawrence, who has directed every installment since ‘Catching Fire’, returns behind the camera from a screenplay by Billy Ray and Michael Lesslie. James Newton Howard is back to compose the score.
Alongside Zada, the cast includes Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee and Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket. Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Ben Wang, Mckenna Grace, Maya Hawke, Whitney Peak and Kelvin Harrison Jr. round out the ensemble.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW. #TheHungerGames: Sunrise on the Reaping – only in theaters & IMAX November 20. https://t.co/B3Hag41cJC
— The Hunger Games (@TheHungerGames) October 28, 2026
Jennifer Lawrence also recently confirmed that she’s returning as Katniss Everdeen alongside Josh Hutcherson’s Peeta. Their appearance is widely expected to tie into the novel’s flash-forward epilogue.
‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ opens in theaters and IMAX on November 20. The PG-13 film runs 2 hours and 38 minutes. With a breathtaking new poster and an expanded IMAX arena sequence promised, Lionsgate is clearly betting big on the premium experience. For fans eager to witness Haymitch’s Games on the biggest screen possible, now is the time to grab tickets.
How excited are you for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping?
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