Hunger Games Prequel to Use IMAX for Arena Scenes

The upcoming film will feature an expanded aspect ratio during its high-stakes arena sequences.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Science Fiction

Hunger Games Prequel to Use IMAX for Arena Scenes

Live Poll

Do you plan to watch the new Hunger Games movie in an IMAX theater?

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is set to utilize a full IMAX aspect ratio when the tributes enter the arena. The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on Nov. 20, 2026.

Why it matters

The choice to use digital cameras over traditional film equipment allows for production in remote, inaccessible locations. This technical flexibility supports the creation of the scale and immersion expected of the franchise.

Production crews utilized 10-foot-wide dirt roads to transport digital camera equipment into the mountains. This digital format was essential for capturing footage in locations too constrained for traditional film gear.

The players

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

This is the upcoming installment in the blockbuster film franchise based on the dystopian novels by Suzanne Collins.

The details

Filming for the production took place in the Cantabrian Mountains in Spain, where the team hauled equipment through villages and up steep hills. The crew relied on digital cameras to navigate the narrow terrain, ensuring high-quality capture within restricted spaces.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was released in 2013.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping will be released on Nov. 20, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

The production follows the industry trend of integrating IMAX-certified digital cameras to create an immersive, full-screen aspect ratio for key action sequences. This approach positions the film to offer a premium theatrical experience that differentiates it from home-streaming content.

Moviegoers can expect a more immersive visual experience when viewing the film in IMAX-equipped theaters during its November 2026 release. The expanded aspect ratio will be specific to the sequences set within the arena.

The takeaway

Using digital cameras allows filmmakers to access remote, visually striking landscapes that were previously impossible to film. Audiences gain a more expansive visual experience due to the creative constraints placed on the production crew.