Chronological Order of the Maze Runner Trilogy

14 June 2025
Based on the best-selling novels by James Dashner, The Maze Runner trilogy unfolds in a bleak future ravaged by solar flares and the deadly Flare virus. While the films were released in direct sequence, the story itself layers in flashbacks, amnesia, and institutional secrets, making a chronological breakdown valuable for understanding the full arc of Thomas, WCKD, and the rebellion.

This timeline lists the trilogy's events in narrative order, highlighting the stages of memory loss, experimentation, rebellion, and sacrifice as humanity races against extinction.

Chronological Order of the Maze Runner Trilogy

Title Release Year In-Universe Order Narrative Context
The Maze Runner 2014 First Thomas awakens in the Glade with no memory. The Maze, constructed by WCKD, is a trial to study immune teenagers. The group escapes, only to discover the world outside is ruined.
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials 2015 Second After escaping the Maze, Thomas and the Gladers uncover WCKD’s plans to harvest immune children. They flee into the Scorch, a post-apocalyptic wasteland, and join resistance forces.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure 2018 Third Thomas infiltrates the Last City to rescue Minho and confront WCKD's leader, Ava Paige. Secrets are revealed, including Thomas's role in WCKD’s past. The film ends with major sacrifices as the immunes flee to safety.

Watched chronologically, the trilogy captures the transformation of Thomas from a memory-wiped pawn to a revolutionary leader. It also charts the moral collapse of WCKD, whose utilitarian methods push the boundaries of medical ethics in the face of extinction. While the narrative moves forward linearly, its layers of memory recovery and scientific deception make a timeline breakdown essential for grasping the full arc of betrayal, resilience, and survival.

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About the author Jimmy Jangles


My name is Jimmy Jangles, the founder of The Astromech. I have always been fascinated by the world of science fiction, especially the Star Wars universe, and I created this website to share my love for it with fellow fans.

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