
The Maze Runner series consists of three science-fiction dystopian action adventure films based on the novel series by American author James Dashner. When Thomas wakes up trapped in a maze with a group of other boys, he has no memory of the outside world other than dreams about an organization known as W.C.K.D. Only by piecing together fragments of his past with clues he discovers in the maze can Thomas hope to uncover his purpose and a way to escape.
Release order — click any era to expand or collapse. All 3 movies shown below.
All 3 films in release order — the recommended way to experience the full series.
Watch the The Maze Runner movies in release order, starting with The Maze Runner (2014) and continuing through Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018). The series spans 3 films, released between 2014 and 2018. Audiences rate the franchise 7/10 on average.
For most viewers, release order is the recommended way to watch The Maze Runner. This is how the story was crafted and revealed to audiences — earlier films seed details, callbacks, and twists that pay off in later entries. Watching in release order preserves those reveals and matches the pacing the filmmakers intended.
The Maze Runner largely tracks its own in-universe chronology, so release order and chronological order overlap closely. You can use either without losing much, though release order is still the safest first watch.
The Maze Runner series consists of three science-fiction dystopian action adventure films based on the novel series by American author James Dashner. When Thomas wakes up trapped in a maze with a group of other boys, he has no memory of the outside world other than dreams about an organization known as W.C.K.D. Only by piecing together fragments of his past with clues he discovers in the maze can Thomas hope to uncover his purpose and a way to escape.
Each film builds on the previous one, rewarding viewers who watch in sequence.
The The Maze Runner franchise spans 4 years, from 2014 to 2018.
The highest-rated entry is The Maze Runner with a 7.2/10 audience score.
Across all films, the franchise averages a 7.0/10 rating from audiences.
The Maze Runner films have collected over 38k audience ratings combined.
Watching all 3 The Maze Runner films back-to-back takes well over a full day's viewing commitment.
The most recent entry, Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018), continues a franchise that began 4 years earlier.
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See the original timeline, full stats, and editorial intro on the franchise overview page.
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