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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Maze Runner

Maze Runner is a dystopian science fiction franchise based on James Dashner’s novels.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

The Maze Runner is a dystopian science fiction franchise that began with James Dashner's 2009 novel. It was adapted into a film series starting in 2014, following teenagers trapped in a mysterious maze.

What it is

The story centres on Thomas, who wakes up with no memory in the Glade, an enclosed settlement of boys surrounded by a shifting maze. The group sends out Runners to study the maze and find an exit.

Why it matters

The franchise has been widely distributed in Canada as part of the global English-language film and young-adult publishing market. The film trilogy, directed by Wes Ball, stars Dylan O'Brien and Kaya Scodelario.

Key details

The first film adaptation was released in 2014, followed by two sequels in 2015 and 2018. The main cast includes Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Will Poulter, and Patricia Clarkson.

In short

  • Franchise based on James Dashner's Maze Runner books.
  • First film released in 2014, starring Dylan O'Brien as Thomas.
  • Two sequels: The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure.
  • Premise: teenagers trapped in the Glade trying to escape the Maze.
Canadian angle

The franchise has been widely distributed in Canada as part of the global English-language film and young-adult publishing market.

Quick questions

What is the Maze Runner about?
It is about Thomas and other teenagers trapped in the Glade, where they must survive and solve a shifting maze to escape.
Who wrote the Maze Runner books?
The books were written by James Dashner.
How many Maze Runner movies are there?
There are three Maze Runner films.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Maze_Runner
    Supports: Plot premise of Thomas waking in the Glade, the Maze, and the Gladers' setup.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1790864/plotsummary/
    Supports: Film plot summary describing Thomas, the Glade, and the Maze.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Maze_Runner_(film)
    Supports: Film title, release, director, cast, and sequels.
  4. Audible — https://www.audible.com/blog/summary-the-maze-runner-by-james-dasher
    Supports: James Dashner as author and 2009 novel publication context.