The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping Soundtrack (2026)

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (2026) — Overview & Musical Direction

Directed by franchise filmmaker Francis Lawrence, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping returns to Panem for the historic Fiftieth Hunger Games, chronicling Haymitch Abernathy during the Second Quarter Quell. Starring Joseph Zada as the young victor alongside Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Glenn Close, and Elle Fanning, the high-stakes narrative contrasts the Appalachian coal-country heritage of District 12 with the opulent decadence and psychological cruelty of the Capitol lethal arena.

Music supervisor Julia Michels curates an expansive 29-track companion album that anchors the emotional reality of Panem in raw Americana, Appalachian folk, and alternative rock. Grounding the hardscrabble dignity of District 12 are roots-infused acoustic ballads and country narratives from Tyler Childers, Noah Kahan, Stephen Wilson Jr., Ella Langley, and Kashus Culpepper. In contrast, the rebellious undercurrents of the Quarter Quell ignite through atmospheric rock and alternative cuts by The Smashing Pumpkins, Depeche Mode featuring KARYYN, The Cure, Stevie Nicks, and Lizzy McAlpine, alongside intimate vocal performances from cast members Whitney Peak and Mckenna Grace, as well as a moving reprisal of Deep In The Meadow by Jennifer Lawrence.

Veteran composer James Newton Howard returns to the franchise to deliver a 35-piece symphonic score, officially titled The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping - The Score. Combining sweeping string elegies, ominous militaristic brass, delicate acoustic folk instruments, and the franchise thematic motifs, Howard compositions underscore Haymitch tragic psychological journey across standout pieces such as Welcome To The Reaping, Haymitch Meets Snow, Bloodbath, Rewrite History, and the climactic Reunion. The dual release represents one of the most comprehensive musical collections in modern cinema, bridging folk tradition with symphonic drama.