The Maze Runner premiered September 17, and was a bigger hit than expected. Based on the best-selling novel by James Dashner, The Maze Runner made thirty two million dollars the first week of its release, putting it at number one in the North American box office.

Possessing an intensity similar to the Hunger Games, the Maze Runner catches the audience’s attention with its non-stop action.

The Maze Runner is about a group of teenage boys stuck inside of a giant maze. With no knowledge about themselves besides their names, the boys create a society inside the maze.

The film has an up-and-coming cast, including Dylan O’Brien, who plays the lead, along with co-stars Kaya Scodelario and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.

Why is the Maze Runner such a successful movie? While the book, written by James Dashner, is targeted at young adults, the movie appeals to young adults as it is PG-13 due to intense sci-fi action scenes and some disturbing images.

The movie had the advantage of being the only young adult movie to premiere in September, so it did not have competition.

Many students at Arrowhead High School saw the Maze Runner this weekend.

“It was a captivating, good story,” says Jacob Beres, a senior at AHS.“When watching it, I felt like I was living in the maze myself. There’s lots of non-stop action that kept me interested.”

While many loved the movie, those who read the book seemed to differ in opinions.

“I thought the movie was very action packed, and the special effects were really well done,” says Lauren Schlondrop, an AHS junior. “However, it was difficult for the movie to live up to the book since the book was so well written.”

The Maze Runner will be showing in theaters such as Marcus Hillside Cinema, located in Delafield, and around the country for about another month.