‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ Unveils New Posters and Trailer Ahead of Release

Avatar photoHrvoje Milakovic
THE HUNGER GAMES SUNRISE ON THE REAPING 2
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Lionsgate has been making the world of Panem feel alarmingly familiar in recent weeks. Capitol-style propaganda posters have reportedly surfaced in cities like London, New York, Los Angeles, and Mexico City, featuring a slogan about peace being preserved rather than promised, alongside a masked soldier silhouetted against a rising sun.

While this unsettling campaign aims to capture attention, the marketing for ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ has also embraced traditional promotional art. On September 16, the studio released a second full-length trailer and two new posters—one showcasing the tributes from District 12 and another highlighting characters from the Capitol.

The latest poster diverges from the minimalist propaganda style. It features a vibrant collage of the film’s ensemble, surrounded by purple and pink flowers, butterflies, ferns, a fox, and an array of spears and axes that fan out behind the cast.

A white-haired figure dominates the top of the artwork, while the characters below are arranged in tiers reminiscent of a floral wreath. At the bottom, the title treatment reads ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,’ with the tagline “In Theaters and IMAX November 20” beneath it.

This juxtaposition of beauty and menace aligns perfectly with the franchise’s theme, where the Capitol often disguises brutality as spectacle. It also serves as a reminder of the film’s extensive cast.

As reported by Vital Thrills, Lionsgate has set up a free ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ pop-up experience near the Javits Center. Visitors can have their photos integrated into artwork inspired by the film and receive a personalized digital keepsake.

The first 100 guests each day will also receive a commemorative NYCC 2026 poster. This experience concludes with fan art from a global ‘Paint Your Own Poster’ celebration.

Set 24 years before the original ‘The Hunger Games,’ the film begins on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. This edition requires each district to send double the tributes, resulting in 48 young people entering the arena.

Joseph Zada portrays a young Haymitch Abernathy, a role originally played by Woody Harrelson. According to the official logline from TheWrap, Haymitch forms an unexpected alliance with fellow tribute Maysilee Donner, played by Mckenna Grace, and joins a coalition aimed at challenging the Capitol’s dominance.

Ralph Fiennes takes on the role of President Snow, previously portrayed by Donald Sutherland and Tom Blyth in the ‘Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ prequel. Elle Fanning plays a younger Effie Trinket, while Jesse Plemons portrays Plutarch Heavensbee.

The ensemble cast also features Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Glenn Close, Maya Hawke, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, and Ben Wang. Francis Lawrence, who has directed every installment since ‘Catching Fire,’ returns to helm the project, working from a screenplay by Billy Ray based on Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel.

Reactions to the new artwork have been mixed. Some commenters on a poster roundup from October 5 described the layout as messy and overcrowded, while others praised the vibrant colors and the creative approach.

One viewer called it spectacular despite the chaos, while another questioned the design’s return to a “floating heads” style. The response to the September posters was similarly divided, with some fans wondering if the artwork captured the story’s tone.

While posters often spark debate, the true test will occur in theaters. With a star-studded cast, a Quarter Quell premise, and a franchise that has cultivated a loyal audience over the years, the film has many elements working in its favor.

The movie is set to hit theaters and IMAX on November 20, giving fans just over six weeks to determine whether the new poster is a stroke of genius or simply overwhelming.

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