Meta Partners With Lionsgate to Bring the Next Hunger Games Film to Wearable Tech

2026-11-03 companies

Santa Monica, Tuesday, 3 November 2026.
Marking Meta’s first studio film conversion, Lionsgate will release the upcoming Hunger Games prequel on lightweight VR glasses in spring 2027 following its November theatrical debut.

A Strategic Alliance in Immersive Entertainment

Lionsgate Studios Corp. (NASDAQ: LION) [1][2][3][5][8] and Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) [1][2][3][5][8] have finalized a groundbreaking distribution agreement that will bring The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping to Meta’s VR hardware ecosystem following its theatrical release. This marks Meta’s first partnership with a major Hollywood studio to convert a feature film into 3D specifically for theatrical distribution and subsequent VR playback [1][2][3][5][8]. The collaboration underscores the accelerating convergence between traditional filmmaking and next-generation immersive technologies, as legacy studios seek new monetization avenues while tech giants expand their content libraries to drive adoption of wearable hardware [1][2][3][5][8].

The Theatrical Rollout: A 3D Conversion for the Big Screen

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, directed by Francis Lawrence [1][2][3][5][9][10], will make its theatrical debut in 3D on November 20, 2026, following a studio conversion process led by DNEG, the Oscar-winning visual effects and animation studio [1][2][3][5][8]. The 3D conversion was undertaken in close collaboration with Lawrence, who emphasized the creative intent behind the immersive format: ‘From the beginning, we wanted The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping to feel visceral and immersive, pulling audiences deep into Haymitch’s experience’ [1][2][3][5][9][10]. Advance tickets for the 3D theatrical experience are already available, signaling strong early interest from audiences [2][5][8][9]99.6.

Post-Theatrical Distribution on Meta VR Glasses

Following its theatrical run, the film will be available in 3D on Meta VR Glasses, a lightweight wearable device unveiled at Meta Connect 2026 [2][5][8][9][10]. The glasses, which weigh approximately 100 grams, feature a 5K Infinite Display, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos spatial audio, and IMAX Enhanced compatibility [2][5][8][9][10]. Meta’s partnership with Lionsgate represents a strategic push to expand its premium content library ahead of the glasses’ anticipated spring 2027 launch [2][5][8][9][10]. Sarah Malkin, Head of Entertainment for Meta’s Reality Labs, stated, ‘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’ [1][2][3][5][8][9][10].

A Franchise with Global Appeal

The Hunger Games franchise, based on Suzanne Collins’ dystopian book series, has generated over $3.3 billion at the global box office across five films [1][2][3][5][8][9][11]. The upcoming installment serves as a direct prequel to The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), itself a prequel to the original series released between 2012 and 2015 [1][2][3][5][9][10][11]. Lionsgate Chief Revenue Officer Jim Packer highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting, ‘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’ [1][2][3][5][9][10]. The franchise’s expansion extends beyond film, with a London stage production and a planned theme park attraction in Dubai [1][2][3][5][8][9][11].

Broader Industry Implications

This partnership reflects a broader trend in the entertainment industry, where traditional studios and tech platforms are increasingly collaborating to redefine content distribution. Meta’s earlier ventures into immersive entertainment include a 3D collaboration with director James Cameron for Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour, which was exclusively available on Meta VR devices [2]. The company has also partnered with Disney to offer 3D films via Disney+ [2]. For enterprise leaders and media executives, the Lionsgate-Meta deal signals a potential shift toward hybrid distribution models that prioritize both theatrical and immersive experiences [1][2][3][5][8].

Sources

Virtual reality Media distribution