Meta and Lionsgate Plan 3D Release of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping for VR

Quick Summary

• The film’s 3D conversion marks Meta’s first partnership with a Hollywood studio to adapt a feature film for theatrical 3D.
• The movie is scheduled to open in cinemas on November 20, 2026, before arriving on Meta VR Glasses in spring 2027.
• DNEG is handling the conversion, with additional Lionsgate titles and availability details to be announced later.

Lionsgate and Meta are partnering on a 3D version of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, with plans to bring the film to cinemas and later to Meta’s upcoming VR glasses. TheWrap reported the agreement on November 2, citing the studio’s announcement. The project marks Meta’s first collaboration with a Hollywood studio to convert a feature film into 3D for theatrical release, with DNEG handling the visual conversion.

Release timeline

A film prepared for two viewing formats

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is scheduled to open in cinemas on November 20. The 3D conversion was completed in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence and DNEG, whose stereo team has worked on other major film conversions. The film follows a younger Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, and expands the story world established by the earlier films.

After its theatrical run, the 3D version is expected to become available on Meta VR Glasses when the hardware launches in spring 2027. That creates a second distribution window for the same film, but the home experience will depend on the device’s display quality, comfort and content providey. Meta has not announced every detail of the release arrangement, including whether the film will be available through a purchase, rental or subscription model.

Why the partnership matters to Meta

Meta has been positioning its VR hardware as a way to watch films and other premium entertainment on a large virtual screen. The company has previously discussed immersive versions of major titles and has said its upcoming glasses will support a high-resolution display, Dolby Vision and spatial audio. A partnership with a major studio gives Meta access to a film catalogue and a recognisable franchise rather than relying only on original VR content.

For Lionsgate, the agreement provides another way to distribute a film after its cinema release. The studio can reach viewers who own compatible hardware and may be interested in watching a 3D version at home. The commercial value will depend on the size of the installed headset base and whether people are willing to pay for premium films in a virtual environment. The partnership is a test of demand, not proof that VR viewing will replace traditional home cinema.

The production and business questions

DNEG’s involvement is significant because converting a film from 2D to 3D requires more than adding depth to every shot. Artists and technicians must consider foreground separation, camera movement, visual effects and how depth changes the viewer’s perception of a scene. A conversion that is too aggressive can cause discomfort, while a conservative approach may not provide a compelling reason to watch in 3D.

Meta and Lionsgate said additional titles and availability details would be announced later. The companies will need to make the process straightforward for people who buy or rent the film, and ensure that the 3D version works reliably across the supported hardware. If the release performs well, it could encourage other studios to explore similar deals. If uptake is limited, the project may remain a promotional show for the headset rather than a new distribution model.

Meta’s partnership with Lionsgate also tests whether premium 3D content can make VR hardware more attractive to people who do not use it for gaming. A film franchise with an established audience may give viewers a reason to try a headset, but the experience must be comfortable and the 3D conversion must justify watching on a smaller virtual display instead of a television or cinema screen. The companies have not yet announced the full catalogue or pricing model. If the first title performs well, it could encourage additional studio partnerships; if not, it may remain a limited promotional release.

The VR release is planned for after the film’s theatrical run, with spring 2027 tied to the headset launch. Meta and Lionsgate have not announced a price or a complete list of additional titles. The partnership is an early test of whether a major studio can use 3D cinema and home VR as connected distribution windows rather than separate markets.