Moviegoers will need to clear their schedules for the highly anticipated Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, as the film has been confirmed to run for an impressive 2 hours and 38 minutes. This makes it the longest entry in the beloved franchise, surpassing its predecessor, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, by a single minute. The news, initially reported by various Anglophone media outlets and officially confirmed to EcranLarge, promises an extensive dive into a pivotal moment in Panem's history.

Set to arrive in French cinemas on November 18, 2026, Sunrise on the Reaping marks the sixth film in the Hunger Games universe. Director Francis Lawrence, a veteran of the series who has helmed every installment since The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, returns to guide this new narrative. The film will transport audiences back to the infamous 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, an event of legendary brutality and strategic depth where a young Haymitch Abernathy emerged victorious.

Joseph Zada steps into the role of the younger Haymitch, previously portrayed by Woody Harrelson in the original quadrilogy. The extended runtime is a clear indication that the filmmakers intend to thoroughly explore this significant historical event, delving deeper into Haymitch's harrowing journey and the formidable secondary characters he encountered in the arena. This generous runtime will also allow for a richer development of younger versions of other iconic figures from the saga, including Plutarch Heavensbee (Jesse Plemons), Wiress (Maya Hawke), Effie Trinket (Elle Fanning), Caesar Flickerman (Kieran Culkin), Beetee Latier (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), and Mags Flanagan (Lily Taylor).

For context, here's how the new film's runtime compares to its predecessors:

  • The Hunger Games: 2 hours 22 minutes
  • The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: 2 hours 26 minutes
  • The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1: 2 hours 23 minutes
  • The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2: 2 hours 17 minutes
  • The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes: 2 hours 37 minutes
  • Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping: 2 hours 38 minutes

This commitment to a longer narrative suggests a comprehensive storytelling approach, ensuring fans will not be left wanting for detail as they witness the pivotal events that shaped one of the most beloved, albeit cynical, mentors in the Hunger Games lore.

Young Haymitch in Hunger Games