Ever since its initial publication in 2008, Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games has garnered a massive and dedicated global fanbase. With beloved characters and a gripping plotline, the theatrical release of this popular adaptation launched the careers of several celebrities, but not all of them could be seen on screen. The Hunger Games film soundtrack slot is as coveted as a role within the films themselves; after all, the original trilogy aided the careers of musicians such as Taylor Swift, Lorde, Charli XCX, and more. And while this soundtrack element was crucial to the industry in the 2010s, Olivia Rodrigo’s feature single for The Ballad of Songbirds And Snakes proved this phenomenon is still alive and well, furthering her career as she continues into her largest tour to date. On September 21st, the official social media accounts unveiled the tracklist for the upcoming film, fueling fan theories about which musical artists are behind this great honor.
noah kahan (confirmed)
Now officially a confirmed slot, fans have been vying for this pop folk artist since the novel’s release. Kahan’s melancholy discography has prompted comparisons to Haymitch’s character arc, with fans online using “Halloween” and “All Them Horses” in particular to drive this statement. Over the summer, Noah Kahan embarked on his The Great Divide Tour, his first stadium tour and largest moment in his career. Currently at the level of stardom Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift possessed when they signed on to the project, Kahan further fueled fan suspicions when he gave a coy answer on the Emmys red carpet. Upon a question of whether he’d ever like to write for a musical or soundtrack, to which he replied, “We actually had the opportunity to do so, which I’m really excited about…I can’t tell you anymore.” Furthermore, Kahan teased a snippet of a new song with ethereal vocals and woodsy visuals alongside the caption “Ladybug, fly away home,” – a reference to the nursery rhyme that Masilyee Donner sings in the arena. With all signs pointing to Noah as the artists behind “Draw You Out”, fans are awaited the official announcement with bated breath until the “Northern Attitude” singer broke the silence earlier today, confirming the single’s existence as well as its release date.
lizzy mcalpine
With her Angel album released this past Friday and a recent tour announcement, McAlpine appeared to be a pipe dream until recently. An indie artist that found fame from her 2022 single, “ceilings”, McAlpine has been praised for her raw songwriting and dreamy vocals. In 2024, she joined the cast of the folk musical, Floyd Collins, on Broadway with Jeremy Jordan, solidifying her status as more than just a pop singer. With her songs “Spring Into Summer” and “Pushing It Down and Praying” gaining a strong fanbase on social media, McAlpine is not only culturally relevant but tonally consistent with The Sunrise on The Reaping film’s themes, especially with a recent discovery. One fan on social media connected the dots and noticed that “The Wheel”, a confirmed track for the film could connect back to an unreleased song of McAlpine’s by the same exact name.
hozier
Similar to Kahan, Hozier was an early theory from fans due to his prominence in the folk genre, gorgeous storytelling, and persistent activism. His soundtrack potential is furthered by his previous original song for The Legend of Tarzan as well as his album Unreal, Unearth centering a retelling of Dante’s Inferno. Although Hozier has not been active recently aside from his collaboration with Mumford & Sons, there has been consistent speculation that he is behind the track “No Destination”, especially given that the soundtrack producer is an avid fan of his work.
anabelle dinda
Famous for her social media smash hit “The Hand”, Dinda is another indie artist who is strongly implied to be a member of the tracklist. Despite being the newest artist on this list, Dinda has made a name for herself as an opener alongside Noah Kahan on “The Great Divide Tour.” With her unique vocal stylings and rising indie star status, many fans believe Dinda could be behind the track “Here Then We’re Gone”, as she is currently credited for songwriting.
ethel cain
Although she is least likely to become a confirmed member on the tracklist, Ethel Cain’s previous albums best match the darker themes expressed in Haymitch’s storyline. Born Hayden Silas Anhedönia, she utilized her Southern Baptist background to create the character of Ethel Cain, a young girl struggling with firm doubts in an extremist religion. Her album, Preacher’s Daughter, was highly praised for its in depth character study as well as its brilliant standalone songs. Although her music would fit thematically, it is unlikely that Anhedönia would choose to sign on to the project at this time in her career, given that she has recently made the decision to retire her “Ethel Cain” character. However, there is still a possibility that tracks such as “Same Blood” or “Half Alive” could be at least co-written by the beloved star.
florence welch
Famous for her notable career with the band Florence + The Machine, this “Dog Days Are Over” singer has been praised for her gothic vocals, with her mythological storytelling matching that of the Covey. Welch’s most recent solo album, Everybody Scream, was released Halloween and her supporting tour ran from February to August. In the past few years, she has collaborated with Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, and other major artists, but her involvement in this particular project revolves around Hozier. The pair were both credited with songwriting and vocals on the album, leading to rumors that the lead single would be a collaboration. Although this has since been debunked by Kahan’s acquisition of lead single, it is still very possible that Welch is one of the many soundtrack artists.
Whoever ends up in these coveted spots, the fandom is ecstatic to see the final product of an already beloved novel. The Hunger Games: The Sunrise on the Reaping releases in theaters November 20th, 2026.