Lionsgate and Meta have announced a deal to bring “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” to Meta VR Glasses following its theatrical run, a pairing Lionsgate chief revenue officer Jim Packer called a “first-of-its-kind collaboration.” The film opens in theaters Nov. 20, and the Meta VR Glasses themselves become available to consumers in spring 2027, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The arrangement marks the first time Meta has partnered with a Hollywood studio to convert a feature film into 3D, Deadline reported. That 3D version plays in theaters first and then carries over to the glasses.
The Details Behind The Sunrise On The Reaping Meta VR Glasses Deal
Director Francis Lawrence and DNEG, an Oscar-winning visual effects and animation studio, handled the 3D conversion of the film, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Meta VR Glasses that will eventually play the film include a 5K Infinite Display, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos spatial audio and Imax Enhanced certification, Deadline reported. The glasses weigh about 100 grams, per Deadline.
Lawrence said the 3D treatment fits the approach he took with the film from the start. “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. “Adapting the film for 3D gave us another creative tool to bring audiences even closer to his perspective. I’m excited for people to see the film on the big screen and ultimately experience it in an entirely new way on Meta’s VR Glasses.”
Packer framed the deal as part of a broader push to find new ways to deliver the franchise to audiences. “As we continue to explore new ways for audiences to experience The Hunger Games, we’re thrilled to partner with Meta on this first-of-its-kind collaboration,” Packer said.
Sarah Malkin, head of entertainment for Meta’s Reality Labs, said the hardware was built with exactly this kind of content in mind. “With our upcoming VR Glasses, we’re proud to create premium entertainment the way it’s meant to be felt, and Lionsgate is an ideal partner because of the artistic strength and global appeal of its franchises,” Malkin said.
What It Means For Hunger Games Fans And Moviegoers
Fans will still see “Sunrise on the Reaping” in theaters first on Nov. 20, with the VR version arriving only after the spring 2027 launch of Meta’s glasses. The film is tracking for a $60 million to $70 million North American opening weekend, Deadline reported, a sign of continued demand for the franchise heading into this new distribution chapter.
Meta’s push into movie content is not limited to this title. Lionsgate plans to name more of its films headed to Meta VR Glasses, and when they’ll arrive, down the road, Deadline reported, suggesting this deal is a starting point rather than a one-off release.
Context: The Hunger Games Franchise And Meta’s Entertainment Push
The Hunger Games franchise has generated more than $3.3 billion at the global box office across five films, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Sunrise on the Reaping” is the franchise’s second prequel. It’s set 40 years after 2023’s “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” and 24 years before the original Hunger Games films released between 2012 and 2015. Counting “Sunrise on the Reaping,” the franchise spans six movies, along with a stage production in London and a themed attraction in Dubai.
Meta has already built a track record in premium film content outside traditional theaters. The company previously released “Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D),” a concert film co-directed by James Cameron and Eilish, and has an existing partnership with Disney to deliver 3D films through Disney+, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
What’s Next
The 3D version of “Sunrise on the Reaping” hits theaters first on Nov. 20, so the big screen is the only way to see it in the new format for now. The home version waits on the glasses in spring 2027. Lionsgate and Meta haven’t said which titles will follow on the platform, but more announcements are coming, according to Deadline.
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