‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ first reactions call it a franchise best: “More brutal than you could imagine”

The first critics’ reactions to The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping are in, following its premiere in London last night (Wednesday October 28).

Set for release on November 20, the sixth film in the dystopian franchise serves as both a sequel to 2023’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and a prequel to 2012’s The Hunger Games.

Rising star Joseph Zada stars as Haymitch Abernathy, a younger version of Woody Harrelson’s character from the previous movies, joined by a slew of new cast members including Mckenna Grace, Whitney Peak, Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, Ralph Fiennes and Billy Porter.

Meanwhile, OG Hunger Games stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Harrelson are all set to reprise their roles.

WATCH

#thehungergamessunriseonthereaping is the best Hunger Games yet. Beautiful cinematography and set designs with excellent acting, especially from Joseph Zada, to portray the most tragic story in the Hunger Games franchise. This one will make you cry @TheHungerGames @Lionsgate

— clotilde chinnici (@filmswithcloe) October 28, 2026

Though full reviews remain under embargo, critics and influencers who attended the London premiere were encouraged to share brief reactions on social media. The response so far is overwhelmingly positive, with film critic Clotilde Chinicci hailing it as “the best Hunger Games yet” and popular movie account DawsOnScreen branding it “more brutal than you could imagine”.

Matt Neglia, editor-in-chief of Next Best Picture, singled out Close as a “scene-stealer” with her “horror-inducing face” as the ghoulish Drusilla Sickle.

Check out more reactions below.

THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING feels like the follow up to Catching Fire I have always wanted. It’s a near perfect Hunger Games movie that is more brutal than you could imagine. Joseph Zada embodies a more hopeful Haymitch that I was enamoured to see evolve into the… pic.twitter.com/XliscK3ozs

— DawsOnScreen (@DawsBear) October 28, 2026

SUNRISE ON THE REAPING is easily the best film in the Hunger Games franchise. Joseph Zada is electrifying as Haymitch, and the cast is true to the characters we’re introduced to in the book. Filled with all-fire, it's a MUST-SEE in theaters –@nikita_francois @Lionsgate pic.twitter.com/q0lefvD8hh

— The Nerds of Color (@TheNerdsofColor) October 28, 2026

THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING features some of the best casting of the year as many of the actors breathe new life into familiar characters, making them their own, while preserving the qualities that made them so compelling in the first place. Glenn Close, with her… pic.twitter.com/G2vIUVe8yR

— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) October 28, 2026

After walking out of the @TheHungerGames #sunriseonthereaping UK premiere, I can officially say this is a true reflection of the books with fantastic performances all round. Visually bold, action packed set pieces and emotional moments that’ll make you tear up, this is a film… pic.twitter.com/n8nJesItql

— Tayyib (@TsReelTalk) October 28, 2026

"#TheHungerGames Sunrise on the Reaping is a beautiful, bittersweet story that translates very well to film. Joseph Zada, Mckenna Grace, and Jesse Plemons give especially powerful performances, but the entire ensemble of young tributes and District 12 loved ones are wonderful." pic.twitter.com/Im3350q2sH

— 𓍯 (@thgfanar) October 29, 2026

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is directed by Francis Lawrence, who also helmed five of the previous six movies. With a cumulative gross of $3.3 billion worldwide, the series is the 21st-highest-grossing film franchise of all time.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Lawrence has recently spoken glowingly about returning to the franchise. “It was so crazy because it was the same crew,” the actress said during her appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast. “It was the same camera guys, the same AD, who I’ve worked with a million times … and Josh and Woody, and it was so emotional. Like Josh and I like didn’t walk to the bathroom without our arms around each other. It was so beautiful.”