New ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Book and Movie Announced
Updated 10:30 AM EST, November 5, 2021
Inspired by a Scottish philosopher and the prevalence of misinformation in modern society, Suzanne Collins is revisiting the dystopian world of Panem in a new installment of “The Hunger Games” series. Scholastic has revealed that “Sunrise on the Reaping,” the fifth book in the series, is set to be released on March 18, 2025. The new novel delves into the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, taking place 24 years before the first book, and 40 years after the most recent installment, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.”
Following the book announcement, Lionsgate, the production company behind the film adaptations of the previous “Hunger Games” books, announced that “Sunrise on the Reaping” will hit theaters on November 20, 2026. Francis Lawrence, who has directed multiple films in the franchise, will return to helm this latest movie.
Collins’ “Hunger Games” series has been a massive success, with over 100 million copies sold worldwide and translations in numerous languages. Despite initially concluding the series in 2010 with “Mockingjay,” Collins surprised fans by releasing “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” in 2020, set decades before the original book.
While previous books drew inspiration from Greek mythology and Roman gladiator games, Collins has turned to the ideas of David Hume, an 18th-century Scottish philosopher, for “Sunrise on the Reaping.” Exploring themes of propaganda and control over narratives, the upcoming novel promises to delve deeper into the dynamics of power and influence.
The “Hunger Games” movies, a lucrative franchise for Lionsgate, have featured A-list actors such as Jennifer Lawrence, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Josh Hutcherson. The studio’s chair, Adam Fogelson, praised Collins as a “master storyteller” and a guiding force for their creative endeavors.
With the recent release of “Songbirds and Snakes” and an upcoming stage production of “The Hunger Games” in London, the saga of Panem continues to captivate audiences across various mediums.