Blab Entertainment
Lionsgate Announces 5-Film Theatrical Event for The Hunger Games Franchise Ahead of New Prequel
Lionsgate is pulling the Hunger Games franchise back into the spotlight with a limited‑engagement theatrical event that will showcase all five original films in U.S. cinemas from September 3 to September 7, 2026. In a move that blends nostalgia with forward‑looking hype, the studio has partnered with specialty distributor Fathom Entertainment to deliver a single‑day screening of each title, followed by an exclusive sneak peek of the forthcoming prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, slated for a November 20 wide release.
Tickets are already on sale through Fathom’s website and participating theater box offices. The partnership gives the event a broad reach: Fathom operates across more than 19,000 screens owned by AMC, Cinemark and Regal, allowing the films to appear in both mainstream multiplexes and intimate art‑house venues. The one‑day‑per‑film format creates a sense of urgency, encouraging fans to book quickly if they want to experience the saga on the big screen.
The Hunger Games series began with the 2012 film The Hunger Games, which set a record for a non‑sequel’s opening‑day and weekend box‑office totals. The story continued with Catching Fire (2013), Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) and Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015), before a 2023 prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, was released. That film earned $349 million worldwide against a $100 million budget and received mixed critical reviews. Sunrise on the Reaping will explore the Second Quarter Quell and is expected to push the franchise’s cumulative worldwide gross beyond $3.3 billion.
Lionsgate’s decision to re‑release the original films aligns with the studio’s broader strategy to re‑engage audiences and build anticipation for the new installment. CEO Jon Feltheimer has previously confirmed that future Hunger Games films would be produced if author Suzanne Collins wrote additional installments. Fathom’s involvement adds a distribution layer that has historically handled high‑profile events—including live opera and sports broadcasts—and has recently expanded into feature‑film releases.
The event arrives at a time when Lionsgate has already celebrated a milestone: the studio’s first film, Michael, crossed the $1 billion worldwide threshold, marking the first time an independent studio has achieved that figure. While the Hunger Games event is distinct from that achievement, it underscores Lionsgate’s continued focus on franchise‑driven content and its ability to generate buzz through limited theatrical engagements.
As the September event approaches, ticket sales are being monitored closely by both Lionsgate and Fathom. Attendees will not only see the original series in its intended cinematic format but will also get a preview of Sunrise on the Reaping before its wide release. The event concludes on September 7, after which the new prequel will open in theaters on November 20. No additional dates or venues have been announced beyond the current schedule.
Tickets are already on sale through Fathom’s website and participating theater box offices. The partnership gives the event a broad reach: Fathom operates across more than 19,000 screens owned by AMC, Cinemark and Regal, allowing the films to appear in both mainstream multiplexes and intimate art‑house venues. The one‑day‑per‑film format creates a sense of urgency, encouraging fans to book quickly if they want to experience the saga on the big screen.
The Hunger Games series began with the 2012 film The Hunger Games, which set a record for a non‑sequel’s opening‑day and weekend box‑office totals. The story continued with Catching Fire (2013), Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014) and Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015), before a 2023 prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, was released. That film earned $349 million worldwide against a $100 million budget and received mixed critical reviews. Sunrise on the Reaping will explore the Second Quarter Quell and is expected to push the franchise’s cumulative worldwide gross beyond $3.3 billion.
Lionsgate’s decision to re‑release the original films aligns with the studio’s broader strategy to re‑engage audiences and build anticipation for the new installment. CEO Jon Feltheimer has previously confirmed that future Hunger Games films would be produced if author Suzanne Collins wrote additional installments. Fathom’s involvement adds a distribution layer that has historically handled high‑profile events—including live opera and sports broadcasts—and has recently expanded into feature‑film releases.
The event arrives at a time when Lionsgate has already celebrated a milestone: the studio’s first film, Michael, crossed the $1 billion worldwide threshold, marking the first time an independent studio has achieved that figure. While the Hunger Games event is distinct from that achievement, it underscores Lionsgate’s continued focus on franchise‑driven content and its ability to generate buzz through limited theatrical engagements.
As the September event approaches, ticket sales are being monitored closely by both Lionsgate and Fathom. Attendees will not only see the original series in its intended cinematic format but will also get a preview of Sunrise on the Reaping before its wide release. The event concludes on September 7, after which the new prequel will open in theaters on November 20. No additional dates or venues have been announced beyond the current schedule.
