Hunger Games have made a huge announcement and teen me is screaming

The Hunger Games film series has confirmed a sixth movie is in the works after a fifth book was recently announced. Acclaimed author Suzanne Collins will be releasing a second sequel to follow The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, called Sunrise on the Reaping.

A fifth book, scheduled for release on March 18, 2025, will be set 40 years after ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’, centring around the Second Quarter Quell, and the story of the original series character Haymitch Abernathy.

The official X account (formerly known as Twitter) announced hours after the book’s news, a film deal has been arranged to be released in 2026. The account wrote: “Welcome to the Second Quarter Quell. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – in theatres November 20, 2026.”

Hunger Games fans will be familiar with the vague origin story of Haymitch, played by Woody Harrelson in the films, where he emerged as Victor in the 50th Hunger Games anniversary event. A description of the new book revealed the story will start on the morning of the Second Quarter Quell’s Reaping - the process in which Tributes are selected for the Games.

However, the anniversary event is no ordinary Games, with double the amount of children chosen to participate. Each year two Tributes are chosen from the 12 districts of Panem (Collins’ fictional future United States), making 24 participants in total. During the 50th anniversary this was increased to 48.

Fans of the book and film series shared their enthusiasm for the news. Bibi said: “It’s already in the works??? Omg.”

Tbim wrote: “I'm seated, the theatre employees are scared and asking me to leave because ‘the movie doesn’t exist yet’ but I'm simply too seated.”

D3NNI commented, “OH MY GOD HELLO??????????????????????????????????????????????????????AM I DREAMING?????????,” while Percy Jackson News said, “I will be waiting at the theatres tomorrow, I know it says 2026, but I fear that I will be outside the theatres tomorrow waiting until it either releases or I'm diagnosed…”

Cowboy Sav wrote: “Girl didn’t they JUST announce the book? Oh y’all don’t play.”

This follows the success of Collins' first prequel, with the novel released back in 2020. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes film starring Rachel Zegler, Tom Blythe, Peter Dinklage and Viola Davis was released in November of 2023.

Suzanne Collins’ novel ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ will be released on March 18, 2025. The film will follow a year later on November 20, 2026.