The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping take fans back to the Second Quarter Quell, years before Katniss ever appeared. Joseph Zada steps in as a young Haymitch Abernathy, with Ralph Fiennes as President Snow.
So, can you watch it online? Not yet. The film hasn’t even reached theaters. Here’s when it opens, where it’s likely to stream, and how to catch up on the rest of the franchise before it arrives.
Is Sunrise on the Reaping streaming online?
No. Not right now, and not on opening day.
The movie opens exclusively in theaters, and Lionsgate hasn’t announced where or when it will stream.
Streaming trackers agree. Reelgood lists it as not currently available to stream, rent, or buy.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Theatrical release | November 20, 2026 |
| Formats | Theaters and IMAX |
| Streaming at launch? | No |
| Digital rental date | Not announced |
| Runtime | 2 hours 38 minutes |
| Rating | PG-13 |
When does Sunrise on the Reaping come out in theaters?
Mark your calendar for Friday, November 20, 2026. It opens in US and Canadian theaters on that date, IMAX screens included.
Want to see it early? You can. Lionsgate has scheduled early-access screenings in premium large formats starting November 18, including IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, ScreenX, Cinemark XD, Regal RPX and AMC Prime.
Tickets go on sale soon. Both early-access and regular screening tickets open from October 28.
| Screening | Date |
|---|---|
| Ticket sales open | October 28, 2026 |
| Early-access premium screenings | November 18, 2026 |
| Wide theatrical release (US) | November 20, 2026 |
Release Dates Around the World
The rollout is close to global, with a few regions getting it a day early.
| Region | Release Date | Where |
|---|---|---|
| United States and Canada | November 20, 2026 | Theaters and IMAX |
| United Kingdom | November 20, 2026 | Cinemas only |
| Australia | November 19, 2026 | Cinemas |
| India | Not yet confirmed | Check local listings |
In the UK, the film plays exclusively in cinemas from November 20. Australian fans get a head start, with the movie hitting cinemas there from November 19.
Also read: Where to stream Crystal Lake, the Friday the 13th Prequel Series
When will Sunrise on the Reaping be available to rent or buy?
This is usually the first step after theaters.
Lionsgate films typically arrive on digital rental before moving to a subscription service.
How long will that take? No one knows for sure. Some outlets have guessed based on past patterns. In Australia, one guide expects digital availability roughly a month after release, around December 2026, if it follows the Songbirds & Snakes pattern. Treat that as a prediction, not a promise.
Likely digital storefronts include Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home and Movies Anywhere. Movies Anywhere already has a placeholder page for the film.
Where will Sunrise on the Reaping stream?
The smart bet? Starz first, then Prime Video.
Here’s why. Lionsgate’s own streaming service, Starz, is the automatic first streaming home for the studio’s films once theatrical and PVOD windows end.
Then comes Amazon. Under Lionsgate’s deal with Prime Video, films head to the bigger streamer after debuting on Starz.
| Stage | Platform | Expected Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Theaters | Cinemas and IMAX | November 20, 2026 |
| Digital rental and purchase | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home and others | Not announced |
| First subscription stream | Starz | Projected around January 29, 2027 |
| Second subscription stream | Prime Video | Possibly mid-2027 |
Those later dates are estimates. Men’s Journal projected a Starz arrival by January 29, 2027, about 10 weeks after release, but noted there’s no solid data on the gap between Starz and Prime Video. Its best guess for Prime is around summer 2027.
Will Sunrise on the Reaping be on Netflix, Peacock or Hulu?
The earlier films did land on Hulu. But the Peacock route isn’t expected for the initial streaming window, and Netflix-only viewers shouldn’t expect it there during the first streaming cycle either.
| Platform | Likely at launch? |
|---|---|
| Starz | Yes, expected first |
| Prime Video | Yes, later |
| Netflix | Unlikely in first window |
| Peacock | Unlikely in first window |
| Hulu | Not confirmed |
Can you watch Sunrise on the Reaping for free?
Not legally, no. Right now, the only way to see it is to buy a movie ticket.
You’ll probably spot sites claiming to stream it already. Skip them. The film isn’t out yet, so any “full movie” link is unofficial at best and risky at worst.
Where to watch the other Hunger Games movies?
Need a refresher before the Quell? You have options, and one of them is free.
All five films moved from Netflix to Hulu on October 14, 2026.
There’s also a free window. Fandango and Lionsgate brought all five earlier films to Fandango’s free, ad-supported streaming service from October 16 through October 31.
| Movie | Year | Where to Stream |
|---|---|---|
| The Hunger Games | 2012 | Hulu, Fandango at Home (free until Oct 31) |
| Catching Fire | 2013 | Hulu, Fandango at Home (free until Oct 31) |
| Mockingjay – Part 1 | 2014 | Hulu, Fandango at Home (free until Oct 31) |
| Mockingjay – Part 2 | 2015 | Hulu, Fandango at Home (free until Oct 31) |
| The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | 2023 | Hulu, Fandango at Home (free until Oct 31) |
Also read: Where can I watch Whalefall: Streaming & Digital Release
What is Sunrise on the Reaping about?
Before he was Katniss’s drunk, sharp-tongued mentor, Haymitch was a tribute.
The film returns to Panem 24 years before the original Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Games, the Second Quarter Quell.
| Director | Francis Lawrence |
| Writers | Suzanne Collins (novel), Billy Ray (screenplay) |
| Producers | Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson |
| Production company | Color Force |
| Distributor | Lionsgate |
| Franchise place | Sixth film in the series |
It’s based on Suzanne Collins’ novel of the same name. Francis Lawrence directs, with Billy Ray writing the screenplay.
Sunrise on the Reaping Cast
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Joseph Zada | Haymitch Abernathy |
| Ralph Fiennes | President Snow |
| Elle Fanning | Effie Trinket |
| Jesse Plemons | Plutarch Heavensbee |
| Mckenna Grace | Maysilee Donner |
| Whitney Peak | Lenore Dove Baird |
| Kieran Culkin | Caesar Flickerman |
| Maya Hawke | Wiress |
| Glenn Close | Drusilla Sickle |
| Kelvin Harrison Jr. | Beetee Latier |
| Lili Taylor | Mags Flanagan |
| Billy Porter | Magno Stift |
Familiar faces may pop up too. TV Insider’s cast listing includes Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark.
The turnaround was fast. The film reaches cinemas just about 18 months after the book was published.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sunrise on the Reaping streaming now?
No. It’s a theatrical exclusive at launch.
When does Sunrise on the Reaping come out?
November 20, 2026, in theaters and IMAX.
Can I watch it early?
Yes. Premium-format early screenings start November 18.
When will it be on Starz?
Not confirmed. Estimates point to around late January 2027.
Will it be on Netflix?
Not in its first streaming window, based on Lionsgate’s usual path.
How long is Sunrise on the Reaping?
2 hours 38 minutes.
Where can I watch the old Hunger Games movies?
On Hulu, and free on Fandango at Home until October 31.
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