The new Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping has a key advantage over The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The new book and movie were announced on the same day, with the novel releasing in March 2025 and the film adaptation following in November 2026. Sunrise on the Reaping comes after the massive success of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the latest movie in the Hunger Games franchise, which grossed $337 million worldwide.

Sunrise on the Reaping will feature a Hunger Games that fans have wanted to learn more about for some time – the fiftieth Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. As described in the original trilogy, this Hunger Games has a special twist as it features double the number of tributes: four from each district, making 48 altogether. Sunrise on the Reaping is similar to The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in that it is also a prequel, this time set 24 years before the events of the first book and movie.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping Features A Known Character (Like Ballad)

Is Haymitch Abernathy’s Backstory Finally Coming?

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is notable for featuring an existing character in President Snow. Sunrise on the Reaping has that working for it as well. It will feature Haymitch Abernathy, the only surviving District 12 victor and mentor to Katniss and Peeta in the 74th Hunger Games. Haymitch wins the Fiftieth Hunger Games, virtually guaranteeing his presence in the new story. While it’s unclear if Sunrise on the Reaping will be told from Haymitch’s point of view, as the victor, he will be a major factor in the narrative regardless.

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Sunrise On The Reaping Has 1 Huge Advantage Over The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes

Haymitch Abernathy Is Less Controversial Than Coriolanus Snow

Despite both stories featuring familiar characters, Sunrise on the Reaping already has a huge advantage over The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: Haymitch Abernathy is a beloved character, while Coriolanus Snow is highly controversial. Readers have begged for a Haymitch prequel for years, while many were disappointed by the announcement The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes would feature Snow. Although Ballad does give viewers and readers more insight into how Snow became who he is, his crimes were not quickly forgettable and presented a huge challenge to get audiences on board with the story.

Of course, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes also introduces Lucy Gray Baird, a character readers and viewers quickly grew to love, boosting the appeal. However, it was marketed as President Snow’s origin story, not Lucy’s. Furthermore, audiences adoring Lucy was not guaranteed beforehand. By focusing on a popular legacy character like Haymitch, Sunrise on the Reaping won’t face the same hurdle as The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Why Haymitch’s Hunger Games Have More Appeal Than President Snow’s Story

The Fiftieth Hunger Games Has Always Been A Fan Favorite

Despite the information Catching Fire provides about Haymitch’s victory, there is still a lot of story to tell, which is why fans have wanted an extended version ever since Suzanne Collins published the book. The chapter where Katniss and Peeta watch Haymitch’s Games gives readers a taste of what he is like as a teenager, before, during, and after his Games. This is rich ground for the franchise to cover. Additionally, as Katniss and Peeta see in the video, Haymitch is not a typical tribute, providing an intriguing story for Sunrise on the Reaping.

Notably, Haymitch is not particularly interested in survival and cares more about finding the end of the arena. To win the games, Haymitch uses the arena’s force field as a weapon against the last tribute and the Capitol. As a result, President Snow murders his family and his girlfriend, a devastating twist that begs for more exploration. However, even beyond Haymitch, there are many moments in the fiftieth Hunger Games to look forward to in Sunrise on the Reaping.

There is Maysilee Donner, Katniss’ mother’s childhood friend and the twin sister of the wife of District 12’s mayor. The arena also has a special twist – it is a luxurious natural environment, but almost everything is poisonous. Additionally, the increased number of regular tributes leads to more complex dynamics that haven’t yet been explored at length in the Hunger Games franchise. While Sunrise on the Reaping may bear some similarities to The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, it’s clear it will have a far easier path to winning readers and viewers over.