The Long Walk, directed by Francis Lawrence, has reached a significant box office milestone by overtaking one of Stephen King’s earlier film adaptations. Released in theaters on September 12, this Stephen King movie box office contender features a gripping story about a deadly walking competition among teenage boys, drawing notable attention since its debut.
Featuring Cooper Hoffman as Raymond Garraty, alongside David Jonsson and Mark Hamill, The Long Walk opened with $11.7 million and is approaching its first full month in cinemas. To date, the film has earned $38.2 million worldwide, surpassing the 1987 adaptation The Running Man, which finished its theatrical run with $38.1 million, a figure not adjusted for inflation. The Long Walk’s earnings include $29.5 million from the domestic market and $8.6 million internationally.
Box Office Performance and Future Prospects
Despite crossing this notable threshold, The Long Walk has not yet been a major box office hit. With an estimated production budget of $20 million, the film’s break-even point is likely near $50 million. While it remains possible that the movie will approach this target in the coming weeks, it appears unlikely to become a significant commercial success for Lionsgate during its theatrical run.
However, The Long Walk’s strong reviews could extend its commercial life. The film holds an 88% critics’ rating and an 85% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a generally positive reception from both critics and viewers. This favorable feedback may help generate word-of-mouth support, boosting the film’s performance on video-on-demand services and streaming platforms beyond theaters.
Comparatively, The Long Walk has outperformed another recent Stephen King adaptation, Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey, in terms of critical response, though it is unlikely to match its box office success. Released earlier this year in February, The Monkey achieved an impressive $68 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, setting a high bar for other King adaptations.
Looking ahead, the performance of Edgar Wright’s upcoming Stephen King adaptation, The Running Man, will be closely watched. Scheduled for a November release, Wright’s film is positioned as a larger-scale blockbuster. It boasts a star-studded cast including Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, and Colman Domingo, which could help enhance its box office potential well beyond that of The Long Walk.
The Long Walk’s Main Cast and Characters
Cooper Hoffman leads the cast as Raymond Garraty, known by his contestant number 47. David Jonsson portrays Peter McVries, the competitor numbered 23, with Mark Hamill also featured prominently. These performances bring to life the intense and suspenseful narrative centered on teenage boys forced to keep walking under threat of execution, staying true to Stephen King’s original story.
