The Long Walk has just crossed another box office milestone, surpᴀssing one of Stephen King’s previous adaptations. Directed by Francis Lawrence, the latest film based on one of the iconic author’s novels hit theaters on September 12.
Starring Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, and Mark Hamill, The Long Walk chronicles a compeтιтion in which teen boys must maintain a certain walking speed or face execution. The Stephen King adaptation opened to $11.7 million and is now approaching a full month in theaters.
The Long Walk has now crossed $38.2 million worldwide, meaning it is just ahead of 1987’s The Running Man, which ended its theatrical run with $38.1 million. The Lawrence film’s total comprises $29.5 million domestic and $8.6 million from overseas.
The Running Man‘s box office total above has not been adjusted for inflation.
What This Means For The Long Walk
The Long Walk didn’t get off to a roaring start at the box office. The film was made on an estimated budget of $20 million, meaning its break-even point could be around $50 million. At this rate, it’s possible the film will reach this figure in the coming weeks, but it seems unlikely to end its theatrical run as a major commercial win for Lionsgate.
That being said, the film could benefit from a long life on VOD and streaming. The Long Walk reviews have been generally very positive from critics and audiences alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie enjoys an 88% critics’ score and an 85% Popcornmeter score. This reception could help with word-of-mouth and longevity.
Though The Long Walk‘s reception has been more positive than that of The Monkey, the previous King adaptation, Lawrence’s movie will struggle to surpᴀss that movie at the box office. Released in February of this year, Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey ended its run with an impressive $68 million worldwide on a $10 million budget.
Given The Long Walk‘s lukewarm performance, it’s unclear how the next King adaptation will fare. Edgar Wright’s The Running Man is poised to hit theaters in November, but this film is being positioned as much more of a blockbuster. It also features a more recognizable roster of stars, including Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, and Colman Domingo, which will give it a boost.
Our Take On The Long Walk’s New Box Office Milestone
The Long Walk isn’t a bomb by any means, but it’s a shame it hasn’t been more widely seen. The film is one of the best King adaptations in years, featuring some strong performances from younger actors who will surely only rise in stature in Hollywood in the years ahead.
It will be interesting to see how much further Lawrence’s film climbs in the weeks to come. Not all of King’s movies have been hits initially in theaters, and some take a while to truly find a wide audience. Maybe The Long Walk will be one such тιтle, continuing to rise in prominence over the coming years.
