The Long Walk, a dystopian thriller based on Stephen King’s novel written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, has reached over $45 million in worldwide box office revenue less than a month after its release. The film, which follows 50 teenage boys forced into a deadly walking contest, stars Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Ben Wang, Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill.
According to Box Office Mojo, The Long Walk has amassed a total of $45.4 million globally, with $32.2 million earned domestically and $13.2 million from international markets. This milestone positions the film as one of the more successful releases of 2025 so far, marking it as the 48th movie this year to exceed $45 million worldwide.
The Long Walk is also the third Stephen King adaptation to be released in 2025, following The Monkey and The Life of Chuck, and preceding the upcoming The Running Man. In comparison to several other prominent films released this year, The Long Walk has outperformed titles such as M3GAN 2.0 ($39.1 million), Novocaine ($34.5 million), Wolf Man ($34.1 million), Warfare ($33.6 million), Heart Eyes ($33.1 million), and Caught Stealing ($31.5 million).
Box Office Performance and Financial Outlook
With a production budget rumored to be around $20 million, The Long Walk generally faces a break-even point estimated at approximately $50 million, since films often require earnings about two and a half times their budget to cover all costs. However, due to its association with Lionsgate, which typically employs strategies to minimize financial exposure—such as securing international pre-sales and maintaining low acquisition costs—the movie might have recouped its expenses earlier than the box office numbers alone suggest.
While the film’s theatrical run is nearing its first month and ticket sales are beginning to slow, there remains optimism that The Long Walk could approach or surpass the $50 million break-even threshold before concluding its time in theaters. Even if it falls short of that mark, revenue from video on demand (VOD), rentals, and future streaming rights should help bridge any remaining gap.
Audience engagement could also increase throughout October, a month when horror-themed films traditionally attract more viewers in anticipation of Halloween. This seasonal trend may contribute to sustained interest and additional box office growth for The Long Walk over the coming weeks.
Story Overview and Principal Cast
The Long Walk adapts Stephen King’s debut novel, depicting a grueling contest where 100 teenage boys must maintain a pace of four miles per hour or face deadly consequences. The story explores themes of survival, endurance, and psychological tension amid extreme conditions.
Cooper Hoffman plays central character Raymond Garraty, also known as #47. David Jonsson portrays Peter McVries, referred to as #23. The supporting cast includes Ben Wang, Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill, all contributing to the unfolding drama of the intense walking competition.
“Movies often need to earn two and a half times their budgets, so The Long Walk’s reported budget of $20 million could place its estimated break-even point somewhere around $50 million.” — Industry Analyst
“This is because The Long Walk is a Lionsgate project. The company is known for mitigating potential financial risk via a variety of measures, including covering production budgets with international pre-sales and low acquisition costs for their distribution-only titles.” — Film Finance Expert
Significance and Future Prospects
The Long Walk’s strong performance to date highlights the continued appeal of Stephen King adaptations in contemporary cinema. As the third King-related release of 2025, the film has distinguished itself among its peers and maintains momentum in both domestic and international markets.
Given Lionsgate’s track record for efficiently managing film profitability and the anticipated seasonal lift from Halloween audiences, The Long Walk is poised to achieve financial success extending beyond its initial theatrical window. Subsequent revenue generated through digital platforms and streaming services is expected to further bolster the film’s overall earnings.
This milestone not only reinforces the enduring popularity of King’s work but also sets the stage for the upcoming release of The Running Man, sustaining interest in the author’s ongoing influence on the film industry.
