The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher For A $3.3 Billion Franchise’s Return This Year

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The popular Hunger Games series will be back in 2026. Beginning with the adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ books about Katniss Everdeen, the franchise has expanded to delve into the backstory of District 12, and the newest movie, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, continues that exploration.

The new Hunger Games movie, based on the 2025 novel, will tell the story of a young Haymitch Abernathy – the mentor to Katniss and Peeta, previously played by Woody Harrelson. The film will explore Haymitch’s experiences in the 50th Hunger Games and how those events shaped him into a key figure in the rebellion.

The new book, Sunrise on the Reaping, explores the backstory of The Hunger Games, a story fans have been eager to see told. The adaptation boasts an impressive cast, including stars like Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Jesse Plemons, Maya Hawke, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Lili Taylor, Joseph Zada, and McKenna Grace. Plus, original Hunger Games actors Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson will also be making appearances.

As a huge fan of The Hunger Games, you’d assume Hollywood would be constantly thinking of ways to expand that world, right? But honestly, the future of the series all comes down to how well Sunrise on the Reaping does. It’s make or break, as far as I’m concerned.

Hunger Games’ Future After Sunrise On The Reaping Is Unclear

For the past 14 years, The Hunger Games has been a hugely successful franchise for Lionsgate, bringing in $3.3 billion in ticket sales from the five movies released so far. The strong performance and continued fan interest in the series led Suzanne Collins to revisit the world of Panem and write a new book, Sunrise on the Reaping.

Currently, her fifth book is the last one in the series. The author hasn’t said if she plans to write another book, either a prequel or a continuation of the story after Mockingjay. The film studio and producers have also stated they won’t create any more movies or stories unless the author, Suzanne Collins, writes additional books.

As a fan, it’s a little disappointing to hear there aren’t any new Hunger Games movies planned right now. It seems Suzanne Collins has finished telling the stories she wants to tell in this world – she’s wrapped up Katniss’s journey and given us prequels about President Snow and Haymitch. While a lot of us would love to see a story about Finnick, there don’t seem to be any other obvious directions to take the series at the moment.

The epilogue of Sunrise on the Reaping adds another layer of complexity to the story. These final pages take place after the events of the original Hunger Games books, offering a glimpse into the lives of Haymitch, Katniss, and Peeta following the Games. It’s a satisfying conclusion to the series, and with the original actors reprising their roles in the prequel film, Sunrise on the Reaping could be a fitting end to the entire franchise.

Hunger Games Needs Sunrise On The Reaping To Reverse Its 3-Movie Decline

If there are more Hunger Games movies in the future, Sunrise on the Reaping will likely be a major factor. The film needs to demonstrate continued audience interest in the series, which could encourage Suzanne Collins to write another book or contribute to a future screenplay. Strong ticket sales are the key to making that happen.

While it sounds simple, the Hunger Games movies haven’t been as successful lately. Box office numbers have been decreasing since Catching Fire earned $865 million globally. Mockingjay Part 1 made $110 million less than that, Mockingjay Part 2 dropped another $93 million, and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes saw a further decrease of over $300 million.

Hunger Games Movie Worldwide Box Office
The Hunger Games (2012) $695.2 million
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) $865 million
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1 (2014) $755.3 million
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2 (2015) $661.4 million
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes $348.9 million

Lionsgate is investing between $150 and $200 million in Sunrise on the Reaping, hoping it will be a major success (according to Deadline). While earning less than the $348 million made by The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes would be considered a failure, the film actually needs to gross over $500 million to be truly profitable.

If The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping doesn’t succeed, it could be the end of the entire series. The film faces immense pressure, and its success is crucial for the franchise’s future.

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2026-05-20 22:30