The first reactions to "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" are in, and early viewers are praising it, Variety and TheWrap report. TheWrap says the film had its red carpet premiere in London on Wednesday.

The movie is the second "Hunger Games" prequel, after 2023's "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes." It is based on Suzanne Collins' 2025 novel. It is set 24 years before the first film and follows a young Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, as he fights to survive the 50th Hunger Games. Woody Harrelson played the older Haymitch in the earlier films.

Much of the early praise is for Zada. "One of the biggest highlights? Joseph Zada," wrote Perri Nemiroff of Collider. "SO much of this movie is on his shoulders, and he soars tackling every ounce of it."

Critic Griffin Schiller called the film the "Rogue One" and "Andor" of the series, Variety and TheWrap report. "I couldn't have asked for a more perfect adaptation," he wrote. TheWrap quotes Nikita Francois of Nerds of Color calling it "easily the best film" in the series.

Variety reports Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture said the film has "some of the best casting of the year." He singled out Glenn Close and Jesse Plemons.

These are first reactions posted online, mostly on X, not full reviews. Full reviews have not yet been published.

The cast also includes Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Mckenna Grace and Maya Hawke. Francis Lawrence, who has directed every film in the series but the first, returns as director.

Variety reports the film is expected to feature returns from Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Harrelson, since the novel ends with a scene of the trio. Lionsgate releases it in theaters on November 20.

What we know: Early reactions to the new Hunger Games prequel are strongly positive.
What we don't: How full reviews will judge the film, and how it will do at the box office.