Lionsgate Confirms New Hunger Games Film Based on Suzanne Collins’ Latest Book
A new Hunger Games movie is coming! Lionsgate is adapting Suzanne Collins' upcoming novel Sunrise on the Reaping for the big screen. Directed by returning franchise director Francis Lawrence, the film is expected for a November 2026 release.
Hollywood Studios has announced that it is developing a new Hunger Games movie based on author Suzanne Collins' new novel. Collins announced the fifth book in the dystopian franchise on Thursday. Titled Sunrise on the Reaping, the novel will be released next year. Hours later, Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, revealed that the studio will be developing the screen adaptation of the latest chapter, setting it up for theatrical release on November 20, 2026. Filmmaker Francis Lawrence, who directed four films in the franchise, is expected to helm the new movie as well. The project will be produced by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson's Color Force banner. The Hunger Games–Sunrise on the Reaping: New Hunger Games Movie To Arrive in Theatres on November 20, 2026 (View Poster).
The Hunger Games franchise, which explores themes of survival, oppression, rebellion, and the consequences of power, started with Collins' first book The Hunger Games (2008), followed by sequels -- Catching Fire (2009), and Mockingjay (2010). Lionsgate developed the films series with Jennifer Lawrence-starrer The Hunger Games in 2012 and its three sequels -- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015). The story is set in the dystopian country of Panem, comprising the wealthy Capitol and 13 districts in varying states of poverty. Every year, children from the first 12 districts are selected via lottery to participate in a compulsory televised battle royale death match called The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games - The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Movie Review: Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth Impress in This Prequel That Outshines the OG Trilogy! (LatestLY Exclusive).
New Hunger Games Movie in the Works
A prequel to the trilogy, titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was written by Collins in 2020 and Lionsgate released its film version in 2023 with Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler starring in lead roles. Sunrise on the Reaping will return to the world of Panem, 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, and timed for the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.