The 2025 film adaptation of one of Stephen King’s iconic horror novels is set to arrive on HBO Max soon. The R-rated movie centers on a group of teenage boys who enter a relentless walking contest where stopping means death.
The Long Walk arrives on HBO Max in July
HBO Max will add The Long Walk to its streaming catalog on Friday, July 10, 2026, per the streamer’s schedule.
It is based on Stephen King’s 1979 horror novel of the same name, which he wrote under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Since its release, several directors have expressed interest in adapting the novel. In a 2007 interview, Frank Darabont—who adapted several of King’s novels, such as The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and The Mist—said that he had acquired the rights to adapt the book. However, his version never materialized.
The Long Walk takes place in an alternate 20th century, where an authoritarian regime holds an annual endurance contest. In it, one hundred teenage boys are required to walk continuously at a minimum speed. If they slow down, they receive three warnings before a soldier executes them. The contest continues until only one contestant remains alive.
Francis Lawrence helmed the adaptation from a screenplay by J.T. Mollner. It stars Mark Hamill, Judy Greer, Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, and Tut Nyuot, among others.
Lionsgate handled the movie’s distribution worldwide, releasing it on September 12, 2025. It received a largely positive reception from critics and audiences. Many praised its emotional depth, strong performances, and faithful adaptation of King’s novel.
On Rotten Tomatoes, The Long Walk currently holds a score of 88% from 293 critics and 85% from over 2.5K users. At the box office, the movie had a pretty good run. Made on a reported budget of about $20 million, it earned approximately $62.9 million worldwide, making it commercially profitable.
