The Maze Runner Franchise first began as a book series over a decade ago. Spawning a five-book series with the first book, The Maze Runner in 2009 and the last instalment, The Fever Code in 2016.
Impressively, the popular book series was adapted in 2014 with The Maze Runner film. It then spawned two sequels – The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure in 2015 and 2018 respectively. The final film of the franchise, The Death Cure (2018) earned $288.2 million compared to its $62 million budget.
Since the popularity of the book series and movie trilogy, a companion book, The Maze Runner Files in 2013; along with a novella titled, Crank Palace: A Maze Runner Novella in 2020 have continued the universe.
Currently, The Maze Runner franchise boasts a five-book series with two additional books and a movie trilogy. Along with an upcoming movie reboot in the works.
Book Series
The Maze Runner Book Series
The Young-Adult Dystopian Novel series, The Maze Runner originated in 2009 by author, James Dashner. There’s currently five books in The Maze Runner series. The correct order runs as follows, The Maze Runner (2009), The Scorch Trials (2010), The Death Cure (2011), The Kill Order (2012), and The Fever Code (2016).
Book 1: The Maze Runner (2009)
The Maze Runner (2009) follows a group of teen boys, known as the ‘Gladers’. They find themselves trapped within a complicated and complex maze. And with all their memories erased. New boy, Thomas Edison is the bravest recruit to braze the maze. But as they try to find a way out, they unearth deep dark secrets about their personal lives, their pasts and the wider world.
Book 2: The Scorch Trials (2010)
After escaping the maze, the Gladers believe they have left this deadly old world behind them. But little do they know that another set of challenging trials await them. They must band together and work as a team if they want to beat the powerful organisation, known as WCKD. The same organisation who sets them these series of troublesome trials. But this time instead of a maze, they must face the robotic creatures made by the organisation called Cranks/Bulb Monsters. To make matters worse they are up against the backdrop of the burning heat of the sun.
The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, The Kill Order and The Fever Code
Book 3: The Death Cure (2011)
Thomas and the Gladers finally escape from the hands of the WCKD organisation. But now they must find their new home. However, more Cranks are after them and the virus infects the group. But they soon discover there is a vial to the cure. They must secure it before it turns them all into mindless-zombie creatures.
Book 4: The Kill Order (2012)
A prequel to The Maze Runner (2009), which follows Mark as the new protagonist. Set thirteen years before the first book, The Kill Order details the disastrous solar flares that hit New York City. Mark must form an alliance with other survivors of the solar flares.
Book 5: The Fever Code (2016)
The second prequel follows Thomas, then named Stephen before the WCKD organisation took control. This novel covers exactly how the maze originated. As well as covering how each of the characters in the first book came to be chosen. And eventually how the Gladers came to face the mysterious maze.
Movies Series
The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials & The Death Cure
Maze Runner Movie Trilogy
The Maze Runner book series was adapted to the big screen in 2014 by 20th Century Fox. Even though there are five books in the series, the first three books were adapted for the screen. The trilogy’s protagonist, Thomas Edison is played by Dylan O’Brien. The famous actor made his screen debut in the popular American teen drama series, Teen Wolf which ran from 2011 to 2017.
The Maze Runner (2014)
With no memory of life before now, teenager Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) wakes up in a giant labyrinth. Among other like-minded teens. They call the place, ‘The Glade’. As Thomas learns his way around the group, known as the ‘Gladers’, he soon discovers he is the chosen one. Which means he must prepare to take on the role of a maze runner.
This means Thomas must explore the maze and uncover an escape route. Thomas faces the tough predicament of the mazes’ continuously moving walls and dangerous mechanical creatures. The only female of the group, Teresa (Kaya Scodelario) encourages the Gladers to send him as a runner.
However, as Thomas explores the maze, the pressure is on. He is the only pending hope for the Gladers to escape. But as they learn more about the maze, they realise they are living subjects of an experiment. Something much bigger than they anticipated.
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015)
Continuing on from the events of the first film, The Scorch Trials (2015) follows the Gladers on another daunting quest for freedom. Yet this time after escaping the confines of the maze, the Gladers are taken to a facility in a remote outpost.
The new facility is supposed to be their haven away from the destructive maze and WCKD company. But they are not alone. The facility holds other teens who have escaped the mazes and are now collectively known as the ‘Immunes.’
However, Thomas discovers the ill-intent of the facility. Thomas and the Gladers hatch an escape plan and must survive the scorching heat. While fending off the zombies called ‘Cranks’ that live in this uninhabited land. But there’s something much more sinister about this new facility and who runs it. And they are out to get the rogue group back.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018)
It’s the final film of the trilogy and the last journey for Thomas and the Gladers. But they must become prepared to face their deadliest mission so far. The world is plagued by The Flare, an extremely deadly disease.
However, Thomas leads the group of immune teens on a mission to discover the cure. But they learn that one of the Gladers is being tortured by the criminal organisation known as WCKD.
Although the trick really is whoever manages to escape from WCKD and the death cure, ‘The Flare’. Then they learn the answers to all their questions about the maze, the disease and the organisation. So, the threat is even bigger in their last journey to freedom. The Gladers must fight to find the cure and live life way away from WCKD.
The Reboot
The Maze Runner Reboot Movie
In May 2024, The Hollywood Reporter published an article highlighting the new movies in a reboot of The Maze Runner. Led by 20th Century Studios and Disney, Wes Ball – the franchises original director is set to be a producer. And now with talk that a reboot is in the works, this franchise continues to expand its universe.
Set in the same dystopian world, the new movie(s) will somewhat continue the story. But in a different way. So, fans can expect the same world they fell in love with. Just in a new era of The Maze Runner.
The Maze Runner Trilogy is currently available to stream on Disney+ in the UK.
Glad to see someone finally putting some respect on this criminally underrated franchise!
Thank you, Lee! I finally watched the trilogy this year and I’m in awe of the films, especially in how they craft out their storytelling and characters. The second film, ‘The Scorch Trials’ with the zombie-like ‘Cranks’ is definitely something horror fans can get behind too. There’s a crossover of so many genres from Action and Adventure to Science-Fiction, Thriller, and the little Horror elements added in there. The book series is currently on my reading list but I’m sure the filmmakers excelled at adapting the trilogy from book-to-screen.