The Hunger Games franchise is heading into virtual reality as Lionsgate and Meta have joined forces to bring the upcoming film Sunrise on the Reaping to 3D audiences. The project marks Meta's first partnership with a Hollywood studio to convert a feature film into 3D for theatrical release.
The film will first arrive in cinemas across the US on November 20, 2026. After its theatrical run, viewers will also be able to watch the 3D version on Meta's upcoming VR Glasses, expected to launch in spring 2027.
Director Francis Lawrence worked with visual effects company DNEG to complete the film's 3D conversion. The project aims to give audiences a closer view of the story through the perspective of its central character, Haymitch Abernathy.
“From the beginning, we wanted ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ to feel visceral and immersive, pulling audiences deep into Haymitch’s experience,” Lawrence said. He added that the 3D format offered another creative way to bring viewers closer to the character's journey.
Meta's upcoming VR Glasses will feature a 5K Infinite Display, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos spatial audio. The device will also support IMAX Enhanced technology, bringing several premium cinema features to home viewing. Sarah Malkin, Meta's head of entertainment for Reality Labs, said the Hunger Games film would demonstrate the entertainment possibilities of its upcoming hardware.
Lionsgate also sees the partnership as an opportunity to expand how audiences experience its popular film franchises. Chief Revenue Officer Jim Packer said the collaboration could show how technology creates new ways to enjoy existing entertainment formats.
Based on Suzanne Collins' novel, Sunrise on the Reaping takes place 24 years before the original Hunger Games story. It follows a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, during the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
The cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close, Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin and Mckenna Grace. Lionsgate has also indicated that further film titles could join the VR platform, although additional details are yet to be announced.
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