Maze Runner Movies: All Three Films, Watch Order and What Is Next
The Maze Runner movies are a trilogy of three films directed by Wes Ball: The Maze Runner (2014), Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) and Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018). The trilogy grossed about $949 million worldwide, and the studio is reportedly developing another film that has no date.
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How many Maze Runner movies are there
What Are the Maze Runner Movies About?
The Maze Runner movies follow Thomas, a teenager who wakes with no memory in a walled maze and later fights the organization WCKD, across three films released between 2014 and 2018 and directed throughout by Wes Ball. There are no spin-offs, so the count is three films plus zero spin-offs. The films are the maze runner 2014, maze runner the scorch trials from 2015 and maze runner the death cure from 2018. If you want the count and a grid of every title in one place, how many maze runner movies are there covers it.
What was the story behind Maze Runner? The first film sets a puzzle: a teenager arrives in a walled farm area with no memory, and the boys living there are mapping a maze in search of a way out. The later films widen the story into a fight against WCKD, the organization behind the maze. Readers who want to compare James Dashner's books with the films can use maze runner books vs movies.
The first film opens with a teenager named Thomas, played by Dylan O'Brien, waking up in a rising metal lift with no memory except his first name. He arrives in the Glade, a grassy farm area run by a group of boys who have each lost their past. The Glade is ringed by huge stone walls with gates that open by day into a giant maze and shut at night. The boys have lived there for three years, and a team of runners maps the maze every day looking for an exit.
The second film, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, takes Thomas and the surviving Gladers to a walled facility run by a man named Janson, who tells them they are being protected from the Cranks, people ruined by a deadly infection. Thomas grows suspicious and learns that the facility belongs to WCKD. He and his friends then flee the compound and head into the Scorch, a burned and ruined desert. The third, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, begins with Thomas, Newt and Frypan setting out for the Last City, WCKD's heavily guarded home base, to get their friend Minho back. For more on the organization itself, see wicked maze runner.
What year are the Maze Runner movies set in? No source gives a calendar year for the story. The films are best followed by events instead of dates, which is how the maze runner timeline is organized.
The production had a real physical side. The Glade farm was built on location in St. Francisville, Louisiana, and the maze itself was constructed as modular sections, with set building based in Baton Rouge, according to the Motion Picture Association and a local Baton Rouge report. The Scorch Trials shot in Albuquerque, and The Death Cure filmed in Vancouver and Cape Town. John Paesano composed the score for all three films, and the ensemble includes Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee, Will Poulter and Patricia Clarkson. The full list is on the maze runner cast page.
The money followed a steady downward line. The Maze Runner cost $34 million and earned $348 million worldwide, The Scorch Trials cost $61 million and earned $312 million, and The Death Cure cost $62 million and earned $288 million, according to Box Office Mojo. The maze runner box office page has the domestic and international split for each film.
Maze Runner Movies in Order: Where to Start
The correct order is simple: watch The Maze Runner (2014), then Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015), then Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018), because release order and chronological order are identical. The Scorch Trials begins with the surviving Gladers already out of the maze, so skipping the first film leaves it without its setup. The full list, with dates and runtimes of 113, 131 and 143 minutes, sits on maze runner movies in order.
Is Maze Runner worth watching? In my opinion, yes, with a caveat about expectations. The first film is the tightest of the three, because a single location, a closing set of gates and a group of boys with no past give Wes Ball a clear problem to solve. It could be argued that the series loses some of that focus once it leaves the walls, since the later films trade mystery for chase sequences and a larger cast. If you like a young adult dystopia with practical sets and a story that stays on one hook, the trilogy rewards a weekend. If you only want one film, the first stands up on its own better than the rest.
What is the scariest Maze Runner movie? Perhaps the first, in my view. Being sealed in at night behind huge stone walls, with the gates shut, is a more claustrophobic idea than anything in the open desert. That being said, The Scorch Trials has its own unease, with the Cranks and a ruined landscape, and some viewers will find the infection storyline more frightening than the maze. For reference, the films are rated PG-13 in the US, 12 or 12A in the UK and M in Australia. For the full ranking with reasons, see maze runner movies ranked.
Is There a New Maze Runner Movie?
A new Maze Runner film is in development at 20th Century Studios, but it has no release date, no cast and no confirmed filming schedule. The trade report behind that status is TheWrap's, published on May 3, 2024, which says the studio is developing a new film described as a continuation of the original trilogy. It also says Jack Paglen was in talks to write it. That was a report, not an official studio announcement.
The same report names Wes Ball as a producer, not as director, so the filmmaker behind all three existing films is not attached to direct. The other producers named are Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Lee Stollman, Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen. No actor has been confirmed, which means any claim that Dylan O'Brien or another member of the original ensemble is returning remains unverified. As of November 3, 2026, no newer reporting has turned up, though the status may have changed since.
So, if you are looking for a date, there is none to give, and the status is listed as to be confirmed. The new maze runner movie page tracks any change, and the maze runner movie trailer page lists the official trailers for the existing films.
Who Are the Main Maze Runner Characters?
Maze Runner charactersThe main Maze Runner characters are Thomas, the newcomer to the Glade, and the friends and opponents he meets in the maze and beyond. The full roster is on maze runner characters, and these are the leads.
Thomas, played by Dylan O'Brien in all three films, is the restless newcomer whose curiosity drives the story. Newt, played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster, appears in all three films and joins Thomas and Frypan on the trip to the Last City in the third. Minho, played by Ki Hong Lee, is the friend Thomas, Newt and Frypan set out to rescue from WCKD in the third film. Frypan, played by Dexter Darden, also appears in all three films.
Teresa, credited as Teresa Agnes and played by Kaya Scodelario, is the second lead in all three films. Gally, played by Will Poulter, is a Glader in the first film who is thought dead, then turns up in the third and helps the group get inside the Last City. Ava Paige, played by Patricia Clarkson, is tied to WCKD, the group behind the maze.
The later films add two more leads. Brenda, played by Rosa Salazar, and Jorge, played by Giancarlo Esposito, both first appear in The Scorch Trials and return for The Death Cure. Aidan Gillen plays Janson in both of those films.
Maze Runner Music: Composers and Songs
Maze Runner soundtrack
Facts
- The Maze Runner (2014) was released in the US on September 19, 2014. The Numbers, checked 2026-11-03
- Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018) was released in the US on January 26, 2018. Box Office Mojo, checked 2026-11-03
- The Maze Runner (2014) earned $348,319,861 worldwide on a $34,000,000 budget. Box Office Mojo, checked 2026-11-03
- Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) earned $312,296,056 worldwide on a $61,000,000 budget. Box Office Mojo, checked 2026-11-03
- Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018) earned $288,175,335 worldwide on a $62,000,000 budget. Box Office Mojo, checked 2026-11-03
- The Maze Runner (2014) runs 113 minutes. TMDB, checked 2026-11-03
- Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) runs 131 minutes. TMDB, checked 2026-11-03
- Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018) runs 143 minutes. TMDB, checked 2026-11-03
- Wes Ball directed all three Maze Runner films. TMDB, checked 2026-11-03
- TheWrap reported on May 3, 2024 that 20th Century Studios is developing a new Maze Runner film, with no release date set. TheWrap, checked 2026-11-03
Maze Runner in Pictures
The Maze Runner (2014) 
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) 
Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018)
Where to Watch Maze Runner: Streaming in the US, UK and Australia
As of November 3, 2026, where to watch Maze Runner depends on the country, and in the US only The Death Cure is on a subscription service, HBO Max. The first two films can be rented or bought in the US from services including Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. These listings come from JustWatch via TMDB and change often.
In the UK, The Maze Runner streams on Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus, while The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure are on Disney Plus. All three can also be rented or bought from stores such as Apple TV Store, Sky Store and Rakuten TV.
In Australia, all three films are on Disney Plus, and they can also be bought from Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, YouTube and Fetch TV. If you are in the UK or Australia and already pay for Disney Plus, the whole trilogy is covered. The full table for each film and country is on where to watch maze runner. Fans who want the music can check the maze runner soundtrack, and the maze runner reviews and maze runner merchandise pages cover the rest.
Streaming availability data from JustWatch. Where to watch Maze Runner by country.
Explore Maze Runner
- Maze Runner movies in order
- How many Maze Runner movies are there
- New Maze Runner movie
- Maze Runner characters
- Maze Runner cast
- Maze Runner timeline
- Maze Runner movie trailer
- Maze Runner movies ranked
- Where to watch Maze Runner
- Maze Runner box office
- Maze Runner soundtrack
- Maze Runner reviews
- Maze Runner merchandise
- Wicked Maze Runner
- Maze Runner books vs movies
FAQs
How many Maze Runner movies are out?
Three Maze Runner movies are out: The Maze Runner (2014), Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) and Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018). All three were directed by Wes Ball. There are no spin-off films, and a fourth film is in development with no release date.
What's the scariest Maze Runner movie?
That is a matter of opinion, but the first film is the strongest candidate, because the Glade is ringed by huge stone walls and its gates shut at night. The Scorch Trials is the other contender, with its infected Cranks and burned desert. All three are rated PG-13 in the US.
Is Maze Runner worth watching?
In our opinion, yes, if you like young adult dystopian stories with practical sets. The first film works best on its own, and the sequels continue the story directly. The trilogy runs 113, 131 and 143 minutes, so it takes about six and a half hours in total.
What year are The Maze Runner movies set in?
No source gives a calendar year for the story. The films are best followed by events instead of dates, in the same order as their release.
What was the story behind Maze Runner?
In the first film, a teenager named Thomas arrives in the Glade with no memory, where a team of runners maps a giant maze looking for an exit. The later films move to the fight against the organization WCKD.
Will there be a new Maze Runner movie?
One is in development at 20th Century Studios. TheWrap reported on May 3, 2024 that Jack Paglen was in talks to write it, with Wes Ball attached as a producer. No release date, cast or filming dates have been confirmed.
Which Maze Runner movie made the most money?
The first film, The Maze Runner, made the most, with about $348 million worldwide on a $34 million budget, according to Box Office Mojo. The Scorch Trials earned about $312 million and The Death Cure about $288 million.
Where can I stream the Maze Runner movies?
As of November 3, 2026, all three are on Disney Plus in the UK and Australia. In the US, The Death Cure is on HBO Max, and the first two films are rental or purchase only. Availability changes, so check before you plan a marathon.