A new Hunger Games movie lands in theaters on Nov. 20, bringing with it a fresh generation of stars — as well as some recognizable faces.
Sunrise on the Reaping, the sixth film in the franchise and the second prequel, is an adaptation of Suzanne Collins’s bestselling book of the same name. Following in the footsteps of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the new movie further explores the history of the dystopian nation of Panem and its inhabitants.
It centers on the 50th Hunger Games, the second Quarter Quell, and tells the story of 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) during his turn as a tribute, helping viewers understand how he became the surly mentor that Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) meet 24 years later.
With each movie in the Hunger Games franchise covering a different story in Panem’s history, wrapping your head around the timeline can be tricky — especially with different actors playing the same character at different points in time.
Here’s how each movie fits into the Hunger Gamesstory, in chronological order.
Warning: Spoilers for some of theHunger Gamesmovies follow.
Timeline position:10th Hunger Games, 64 years before Katniss’s Games
Main character:A young Coriolanus Snow
Plot:During the 10th Hunger Games, ambitious Academy student Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) mentors Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a singer from District 12. As they work together to help her survive, their relationship becomes romantic — but Snow’s desire threatens to destroy what they have as his thirst for power sets him on the path to be<a href="https://comicvibe.com/whats-coming-to-netflix-this-week-november-2-to-8-2026/” title=”What's Coming to Netflix This Week: November 2 to 8, 2026″>coming Panem’s tyrannical dictator.
‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ (2026)
Timeline position:50th Hunger Games (Second Quarter Quell), 24 years before Katniss’s Games
Main character:A young Haymitch Abernathy
Plot:A 16-year-old Haymitch (Joseph Zada) is selected for the 50th Hunger Games, a special anniversary edition with double the number of tributes. He must survive in order to get back to his family and his girlfriend, Lenore Dove (Whitney Peak).
‘The Hunger Games’ (2012)
Timeline position:74th Hunger Games, Katniss’s Games
Main character:Katniss Everdeen
Plot:When her younger sister is selected to take part in the Games, Katniss volunteers in her place, joining fellow District 12 tribute Peeta to fight to the death on television. Katniss must not only survive but win over those in the Capitol who are watching the games, so she can return home to her family.
‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ (2013)
Timeline position:75th Hunger Games (Third Quarter Quell), approximately a year after Katniss’s Games
Main character:Katniss Everdeen
Plot:With President Snow (portrayed in his later years by Donald Sutherland) watching them closely, Katniss and Peeta set off on a victory tour after their Games as unrest grows in Panem. Despite being victors, Katniss and Peeta are forced to take part in a special anniversary version of the Games, this time alongside fellow former victors.
‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1’ (2014)
Timeline position:Approximately a year after Katniss’s Games
Main character:Katniss Everdeen
Plot: Picking up straight where Catching Fire left off, Katniss arrives in the rebel stronghold and becomes the somewhat unwilling face of the resistance against the Capitol. While reunited with some of her loved ones, Peeta and some other victors are held captive by the Capitol — and Katniss is determined to rescue them.
‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2’ (2015)
Timeline position:Approximately a year after Katniss’s Games
Main character:Katniss Everdeen
Plot:As the conflict between the Capitol and surrounding districts grows, Katniss and her allies take part in a dangerous journey to reach the Capitol and kill President Snow in an attempt to end the war once and for all.
