All 5 Hunger Games movies return to theaters with sneak peek
All five Hunger Games movies return to theaters September 3–7, 2026, with each screening including an exclusive sneak peek of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping ahead of the prequel's November 20 premiere. Lionsgate and Fathom Entertainment are presenting one film per day, and tickets are on sale now.
The odds are in fans' favor: every existing installment in the Suzanne Collins franchise is getting a limited big-screen run just weeks before the sixth film debuts. It is a coordinated refresher for longtime viewers and a theatrical introduction for newcomers catching up before Haymitch Abernathy's story takes center stage.
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Key Takeaways
- All five Hunger Games films play in theaters September 3–7, with one title scheduled per day.
- Each screening includes an exclusive sneak peek of Sunrise on the Reaping, opening November 20.
- Lionsgate partnered with Fathom Entertainment on the event; tickets are already available.
- The marathon ends September 7 with The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023).
- Sunrise on the Reaping follows a young Haymitch during the Second Quarter Quell, 24 years before the original film.
When Are All Hunger Games Movies Playing in Theaters?
Lionsgate and Fathom mapped the five-day event to a single film each night. The Hunger Games opens the run on September 3, followed by Catching Fire on September 4, Mockingjay — Part 1 on September 5, Mockingjay — Part 2 on September 6, and The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes on September 7.
That schedule gives audiences a full week to revisit Katniss Everdeen's arc and the Snow prequel before the franchise jumps back to District 12's future mentor. Variety reports that tickets are on sale now through participating theaters.
What Sneak Peek Comes With Each Screening?
Every re-release date carries an exclusive look at Sunrise on the Reaping, the newest chapter Lionsgate is positioning as the most highly anticipated Hunger Games film yet. The studio is using the September marathon as a built-in preview window rather than asking fans to wait until November for their first glimpse of the prequel.
The sneak peek is tied to all five returning titles, so whether you attend the 2012 original or the 2023 Snow story, you will see fresh footage from the upcoming installment.
What Is Sunrise on the Reaping About?
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping premieres November 20. Set 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, it follows a young Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, during the Second Quarter Quell.
Francis Lawrence directs and produces, with a screenplay by Billy Ray and Michael Lesslie. Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson also produce. The cast includes Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, Mckenna Grace, Maya Hawke, Whitney Peak, and Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Who Is Behind the Theatrical Return?
Kevin Grayson, president of worldwide distribution for the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, framed the event as a fan-first partnership. "Sunrise on the Reaping is the most highly anticipated Hunger Games film yet, and to get ready, we are proud to partner with Fathom to give audiences the opportunity to experience all five original films together in theaters," Grayson said.
The original Hunger Games adaptation arrived in 2012 with Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, and Donald Sutherland. The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes followed in 2023 with Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler as Coriolanus Snow and Lucy Gray Baird.