In advance of the newest film installment in "The Hunger Games" franchise, excitement is building among new and longtime fans.
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” is set to be released on Nov. 20, 2026, with a star-studded cast, as discussed in a previous article by The Post. Included in the cast is Joseph Zada (Haymitch Abernathy), Mckenna Grace (Maysilee Donner) and Elle Fanning (Effie Trinket). Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are also reportedly returning to their roles as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark from the original “Hunger Games” trilogy, presumably for an epilogue scene.
Lionsgate published a teaser and the official trailer on YouTube, with it garnering 16 million views.
Fans in the U.S. looking to prepare for the new film with a rewatch of the previous movies are able to watch one film per day in select theaters from Sept. 3 to Sept. 7, according to Fathom Entertainment. Following each film, there will be “an exclusive look with the cast of Sunrise on the Reaping,” according to a caption on a Lionsgate Instagram post.
In addition to the original movies returning to theaters, hype is building through collaborations and merch drops.
The new line of merchandise for “Sunrise on the Reaping” dropped in late June. Despite the designs being torn apart in the top comments on the Instagram announcement, the only product not currently sold out is shorts for $28 each. When in stock, the collection includes three hoodies for $59 each, a $42 crewneck and two t-shirt designs for $35 each.
The other main promotion for the film is also drawing criticism online.
The brand Stila Cosmetics is the official makeup partner for “Sunrise on the Reaping.” The brand has a new line of makeup products inspired by the book, movie and its characters. Prices in the collection range from $20 for a single eyeshadow to $59 for a five-count eyeshadow collection. Other products include bold eyeliners ranging between $24 and $26, lip products for $25, mascara for $26 and highlighters for $30.
The liquid eye shadow shades are named after characters from “Sunrise on the Reaping.” Mags and Lenore Dove are neutral, matte shades and Effie is a baby blue. Proserpina is a glittery pale purple and Maysilee is a hunter green shimmer. The collection seems to aptly match each shade with the character’s personalities.
Some fans online are critical of the collaboration, calling it untasteful. Commenters on the Instagram post announcing the collaboration compared the consumerism it was encouraging to the Capitol in the franchise. Others confronted the reality of a large franchise like “The Hunger Games" being expected to partner with brands without facing negative commentary.
This is not the first makeup collaboration in "The Hunger Games" history. In 2013, before the release of the second film "Catching Fire,” the franchise collaborated with CoverGirl. The line featured products inspired by the industry of each of the 12 districts. It even included nail polishes and nail art stickers among other beauty products.
Two “Hunger Games" branded makeup lines released in 2020, the same year the first prequel, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” was released in bookstores.
Originally intended to come out in 2017, Storybook Cosmetics finally dropped an official collaboration with Lionsgate with only three products. All products were highlighters, emblazoned with the iconic bird emblems from the book covers of the original trilogy.
LASplash Cosmetics’ collection featured two sub-categories, the “Girl on Fire” products and the “Capitol Couture” products. The line is no longer sold, but products included liquid eyeliners, lipsticks and eyeshadows named after the series’ characters. The makeup was created for and sold at The Hunger Games: The Exhibition at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The exhibit featured props and costumes from the film.
Despite harsh criticism of the new collaboration with Stila Cosmetics, “The Hunger Games” franchise thrives on partnering with makeup brands for custom cosmetic lines. Without any future “Hunger Games” media publicity in the works, this could be the last time fans will see any new collaboration and merchandise for a long time.
Aside from the consumer-focused promotions, the cast was also recently featured on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. Zada, Grace, Whitney Peak, Glenn Close and Fanning appeared in two contrasting photoshoots. One photoshoot included the actors in light colors and a garden scene reminiscent of Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s painting “The Swing." In the other photoshoot, they wore all black and are situated against a barren backdrop with large, jagged rocks and dead plants in the foreground.
The dichotomy almost resembles the fiction of "The Hunger Games." The color of the Capitol and their world of fashion and entertainment are at odds with the brutality and death "The Hunger Games" bring to the districts.
Regardless of commentary on promotional materials, audiences have a chance to return to the world of Panem in just under three months.
ms816224@ohio.edu
