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Netflix viewers have a new favorite. KPop Demon Hunters, the animated music adventure about the demon-hunting group Huntr/x, had been dominating streaming since its June release. The film, created by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, became a cultural sensation. Its hit song “Golden” even reached number one on both the Billboard Global 200 and the US Billboard Hot 100, and the franchise expanded into live-action with a recent SNL sketch.

However, Netflix fans’ attention has shifted to a surprising contender. An 11-year-old sci-fi film, The Maze Runner, jumped to the top of the streaming charts just one day after its arrival on Netflix. Originally released in 2014, The Maze Runner is the first installment in a trilogy based on James Dashner’s novels.

The story follows Dylan O’Brien’s character Thomas, a teen who wakes up in a dangerous maze with no memory of his past. Together with a group of boys known as the Gladers, Thomas must navigate deadly traps while uncovering a larger mystery. Directed by Wes Ball, the film was a box office hit worldwide and is considered one of the best young adult dystopian sci-fi films of the last decade.

Fans may also have reason to get excited about the franchise’s future. At CinemaCon in 2019, Disney confirmed new Maze Runner films were in development. In May 2024, a reboot was announced with Ball returning as a producer. The project is not a direct sequel or remake but is said to continue the story in some way. Dylan O’Brien has not yet been contacted about the new films, and further details remain scarce.

With The Maze Runner now climbing the Netflix charts, it seems the series has found a new generation of fans. It’s possible that this renewed interest could spark movement on the reboot sooner rather than later.

It’s fascinating to see an older film regain popularity in the streaming era, even overtaking a current hit like KPop Demon Hunters. Are you excited to see The Maze Runner back in the spotlight? Share your thoughts in the comments.