It's been nearly two decades since Suzanne Collins first introduced us to the brutal, captivating world of Panem, and the saga of Katniss Everdeen is still going strong. In fact, the book series has just hit a monumental milestone: over 100 million copies sold worldwide. That's a staggering number, and it comes right as the next chapter in the franchise, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, prepares to hit the big screen.
Scholastic, the publisher behind the series, confirmed the impressive sales figure, which spans all five novels in both print and digital formats. This cements The Hunger Games as one of the most successful young adult franchises in publishing history. The original trilogy—The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay—has been joined by two prequels: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the newest addition, Sunrise on the Reaping. The latter has been a sales powerhouse in its own right, moving over 4.4 million English-language copies across six major markets by January 2026, with more than 3.3 million of those in the U.S. alone. It also sold over 1.5 million copies in its first week.
For those who might need a refresher, Sunrise on the Reaping takes us back to Panem, 24 years before the events of the original book. The story begins on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. This is the story of Haymitch Abernathy, the mentor who would later guide Katniss and Peeta.
The film adaptation boasts an impressive cast, including Joseph Zada as a young Haymitch, Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, and Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird. Fans will also see familiar faces like Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, and Jennifer Lawrence reprising their roles as Peeta, an older Haymitch, and Katniss, respectively.
With the books reaching this incredible sales milestone, it's clear that the hunger for this dystopian world hasn't faded. If you're looking to revisit the series or catch up before the new movie, the novels are available in print, ebook, and audiobook formats. And for those who want to see the story come to life, the existing Hunger Games movies are surging on HBO Max as the release date approaches.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens in theaters on November 20, 2026. It's a perfect time to dive back into the books—or discover them for the first time—before the next big screen adventure arrives.
