The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Maze Runner
Entertainment • Film

Maze Runner

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

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Maze Runner is a dystopian science fiction franchise based on James Dashner’s novels. It began with the 2009 novel *The Maze Runner* and was adapted into a film series starting in 2014. The story follows Thomas and other teenagers trapped in the Glade, who try to escape a shifting maze while uncovering the truth about their situation.

Premise

The story centres on Thomas, who wakes up with no memory in the Glade, an enclosed settlement of boys surrounded by a dangerous, changing maze. The group studies the Maze and sends out Runners in hopes of finding an exit.

Books

The Maze Runner franchise began as a young adult dystopian novel series by James Dashner. The first book, *The Maze Runner*, was published in 2009.

Film adaptations

The first film adaptation, released in 2014 and directed by Wes Ball, was followed by two sequels in 2015 and 2018. The trilogy adapts the main storyline of the books into a three-film series.

Main cast

The first film features Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Will Poulter, Aml Ameen, Ki Hong Lee, and Patricia Clarkson among its principal cast.

Distribution in Canada

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

Key facts

  • The franchise is based on James Dashner’s *Maze Runner* books.
  • The first film, *The Maze Runner*, was released in 2014.
  • The film stars Dylan O’Brien as Thomas and Kaya Scodelario as Teresa.
  • Two sequels followed: *Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials* and *Maze Runner: The Death Cure*.
  • The central premise involves teenagers trapped in the Glade attempting to escape the Maze.
🍁
Canadian context

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

Frequently asked 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.
What is the order of Maze Runner movies?
The films are *The Maze Runner* (2014), *Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials* (2015), and *Maze Runner: The Death Cure* (2018).
Who stars in Maze Runner?
The first film stars Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Will Poulter, and Patricia Clarkson.

References

  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.