Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird and Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Murray Close/Lionsgate Logo text The hotly anticipated The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping held its London premiere on Wednesday, and the brief first reactions to the film have already hit social media.
Full critics reviews for the film are not expected to drop until much closer to Sunrise on the Reaping‘s theatrical release date of Nov. 30, but Lionsgate clearly is feeling very confident about the latest entry to Hunger Games franchise and is allowing people who attended Oct. 28 screenings to post limited reactions to the film so far ahead of opening day.
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Sunrise on the Reaping is a direct sequel to 2023’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and both films serve as prequels to Lionsgate’s main Hunger Games movie series that were released from 2012 to 2015. In all, there have been six movies in the franchise.
The film follows 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) from District 12, “beginning on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Annual Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, the biggest Games yet with twice as many tributes.” According to a synopsis: “Set in the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, the story follows Haymitch into the arena, where he forms an unlikely alliance with fellow tribute Maysilee Donner (Mckenna Grace) and joins a coalition determined to challenge the Capitol’s control under President Snow (Ralph Fiennes). As the competition unfolds, Haymitch risks everything to take down the Games from within the arena — setting in motion the rebellion that will change Panem forever.”
The cast also includes Jesse Plemons, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Whitney Peak, and Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Directed by Francis Lawrence, the film is based on Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel of the same name, and features a screenplay written by Billy Ray and Michael Lesslie.
Below is early social media reaction to Sunrise on the Reaping.
#TheHungerGames Sunrise on the Reaping is the Rogue One/Andor of the franchise. A sobering, yet powerful story of devastating loss and the necessary cost of rebellion for a sunrise we may never see. As a massive fan of the series and especially this book, I couldn’t have asked… pic.twitter.com/EC98k42mQt
— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) October 28, 2026
THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING feels like the follow up to Catching Fire I have always wanted. It’s a near perfect Hunger Games movie that is more brutal than you could imagine. Joseph Zada embodies a more hopeful Haymitch that I was enamoured to see evolve into the… pic.twitter.com/XliscK3ozs
— DawsOnScreen (@DawsBear) October 28, 2026
We’ve seen this all before but #sunriseonthereaping stellar third act pulls the rug out underneath you. Anchored by terrific performances (Zada is a star), this emotional thriller nails the themes of the cost of revolution and how we all need to play our part. pic.twitter.com/v4lQkVwAlq
— Gavin Spoors 🇵🇸 (@supergavigator) October 28, 2026
SUNRISE ON THE REAPING is easily the best film in the Hunger Games franchise. Joseph Zada is electrifying as Haymitch, and the cast is true to the characters we’re introduced to in the book. Filled with all-fire, it's a MUST-SEE in theaters –@nikita_francois @Lionsgate pic.twitter.com/q0lefvD8hh
— The Nerds of Color (@TheNerdsofColor) October 28, 2026
THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING features some of the best casting of the year as many of the actors breathe new life into familiar characters, making them their own, while preserving the qualities that made them so compelling in the first place. Glenn Close, with her… pic.twitter.com/G2vIUVe8yR
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) October 28, 2026
The Hunger Games franchise remains a favorite. THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING rocks a ton of stunning craftsmanship, yet another phenomenal cast, and an exhilarating narrative that serves as a powerful reminder that nothing is inevitable and it is possible to break a… pic.twitter.com/Hab3Hs0Php
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) October 28, 2026
#TheHungerGames Sunrise on the Reaping is a beautiful, bittersweet story that translates very well to film. Joseph Zada, Mckenna Grace, and Jesse Plemons give especially powerful performances, but the entire ensemble of young tributes and District 12 loved ones are wonderful. pic.twitter.com/rKBseofEDu
— The Distracted Tatiana (@myrcellasear) October 28, 2026
I watched #SunriseOnTheReaping, and was on the edge of my seat until the very end. Fans of the novel will not be disappointed, especially with the ending. Joseph Zada finds his footing as a youthful Haymitch – Jesse Plemmons is another expected standout. Emotional and powerful! pic.twitter.com/n6VrVCG8Xy
— Amelia Knust (@ameliaknust) October 28, 2026
After walking out of the @TheHungerGames #sunriseonthereaping UK premiere, I can officially say this is a true reflection of the books with fantastic performances all round. Visually bold, action packed set pieces and emotional moments that’ll make you tear up, this is a film… pic.twitter.com/n8nJesItql
— Tayyib (@TsReelTalk) October 28, 2026
Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping continues pushing the franchise into darker, politically relevant territory. Strong, renewed focus on propaganda specifically that really lands. Whole cast shines, especially the newcomers taking on legacy characters…
— Mike Bedard (@TheMikeBedard) October 29, 2026
I saw #SunriseOnTheReaping tonight and OH BOY DOES IT DELIVER. Unlike any Hunger Games film before it. Forget everything you think you know about the Games. This film takes the blueprint and redefines it TENFOLD. Fellow Tributes? You’re in good hands. You can rest. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KkDkfMHUB0
— Lewis (Taylor’s Version) (@lpowell092020) October 28, 2026
The rebellion is sparking with SUNRISE ON THE REAPING. Francis Lawrence continues to breathe new life into this world. The unique production design doesn’t let familiar beats get too dull. Joseph Zada is heartbreakingly radiant as Haymitch. A star is born role #TheHungerGames pic.twitter.com/ezlJ4PV0cM
— Lauren (@laurenlamango) October 28, 2026
"#TheHungerGames Sunrise on the Reaping is a beautiful, bittersweet story that translates very well to film. Joseph Zada, Mckenna Grace, and Jesse Plemons give especially powerful performances, but the entire ensemble of young tributes and District 12 loved ones are wonderful." pic.twitter.com/Im3350q2sH
— 𓍯 (@thgfanar) October 29, 2026
"After #sunriseonthereaping UK premiere, I can officially say this is a true reflection of the books with fantastic performances all round. Visually bold, action packed set pieces and emotional moments that’ll make you tear up, this is a film you need to see on the big screen!" pic.twitter.com/PrBS8LzBwO
— 𓍯𓂃 (@sotrpanem) October 29, 2026
I watched #TheHungerGames📷: Sunrise on the Reaping and Joseph Zada ran me through an emotional gauntlet as Haymitch. He had me crying half the time while McKenna Grace had me falling in love w/ her again. And seeing Katniss & Peeta… 😭 The fanedits are going to kill me❤️ pic.twitter.com/T5j9BWGKQ4
— Lyra 🇵🇷🏳️🌈✍️ (@MsLyraHale) October 28, 2026
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