A Forgotten Sci-Fi Film Tops Netflix Charts In One Day Dethroning 2025’s Biggest Movie

Netflix’s top streaming charts have a new leader just one day after its arrival. KPop Demon Hunters, the animated music-packed adventure that has ruled the platform since its June release, has been replaced at number one by a film that first came out 11 years ago: The Maze Runner.

KPop Demon Hunters captured audiences with its story of the demon-hunting group Huntr/x, led by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans’ debut characters.

The film became a pop culture phenomenon, inspiring a live-action SNL sketch and pushing its single “Golden” to the top of both the Billboard Global 200 and the US Billboard Hot 100. Despite its ongoing popularity, fans have now turned their attention to the sci-fi dystopia classic.

The Maze Runner, originally released in 2014, follows Dylan O’Brien as Thomas, a teenager trapped in a deadly maze with no memory of his past.

Alongside other boys known as the Gladers, Thomas must navigate the maze while uncovering the bigger mystery behind their imprisonment. Directed by Wes Ball, the film was a global box office hit and remains one of the most notable young adult sci-fi films of the past decade.

Disney confirmed back at CinemaCon 2019 that the Maze Runner franchise would continue, and in May 2024, a reboot was officially announced with Ball returning as a producer.

The new project is said to act as a continuation rather than a direct sequel or remake of the original film. Dylan O’Brien has not been contacted about reprising his role, and details about the upcoming film are still scarce. However, the renewed popularity of the original on Netflix may signal quicker movement on the project.

It’s fascinating to see a decade-old film overtake a current blockbuster so quickly. The Maze Runner’s return shows how streaming platforms can breathe new life into older franchises. What do you think about an 11-year-old movie hitting number one on Netflix? Share your thoughts in the comments.