“Sunrise on the Reaping” First Reactions Glow, Hailed as Best “Hunger Games” Yet

“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” held its red-carpet premiere in London on 28 October, and the first reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with several critics calling it the best entry in the franchise yet.

Young Haymitch steals the show

Critic Griffin Schiller dubbed the film “the Rogue One/Andor of the franchise,” describing it as “a sobering, yet powerful story of devastating loss,” and called Joseph Zada, who plays young Haymitch Abernathy, “a revelation,” praising him as “so charismatic, lovable, tender, and honest.” Collider's Perri Nemiroff said Zada “had my jaw on the floor time and time again,” adding that his ability to capture “Haymitch's warmth and charm” alongside “the rage and heartbreak” was “superb.” Nerds of Color's Nikita Francois called it “easily the best film in the Hunger Games franchise” and “a MUST-SEE in theaters.”

Story and release

Directed by Francis Lawrence and adapted from Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel, the prequel goes back 24 years before Katniss's story to follow 16-year-old Haymitch in the 50th Hunger Games, the Second Quarter Quell. The film opens in theatres on 20 November 2026, with a listed runtime of 158 minutes. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson are confirmed to return.

Note that these are short first reactions posted on social media after the premiere, not full reviews, which are expected closer to release.