James Newton Howard shares Haymitch Meets Snow from the new Hunger Games score

James Newton Howard has released Haymitch Meets Snow, the first available track from his music for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The recording arrived on October 23 ahead of The Score, scheduled for November 20, 2026. The full release contains 35 tracks, with Howard also serving as its executive producer.

The music accompanies the story of sixteen-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada. The narrative takes place during the fiftieth Hunger Games, 24 years before the events of the original story. Ralph Fiennes plays President Snow. The released track's title connects these two characters, without revealing the complete musical contents of the film.

The Score is separate from The Album, the companion collection due on November 13. Dave Cobb executive-produces that release, with Noah Kahan and The Smashing Pumpkins among its participating artists. Howard's newly available track therefore introduces the composer's score rather than another artist song from the companion album.