Stephen King's "The Long Walk" is the No. 1 movie on HBO Max, climbing to the top of the platform's most-watched list after arriving on July 10. The brutal endurance thriller wasted no time taking the crown, and if you missed it in theaters, this is an easy way to finally catch it.
Adapted from one of King's earliest stories, "The Long Walk" has been described as a war movie without the war — a grim, gripping test of endurance that critics have praised as one of the strongest King adaptations in years. It runs a tight 108 minutes and features a memorably cruel turn from Mark Hamill.
What "The Long Walk" is about
The premise is simple and merciless. Fifty young men are selected by lottery to compete in a deadly, televised endurance contest, forced to walk endlessly across the United States. Anyone who slows down or stops is executed on the spot, and the last person still walking wins.
At first the competitors find a fragile sense of camaraderie on the road. But as the marathon grinds on, exhaustion and terror set in, and they watch their new friends fall one by one. It is not a breezy watch, but it is a deeply satisfying one, with tension that builds relentlessly toward the finish.
The setup is pure dystopia: a near-future America where the walk is televised as mass entertainment, and the rules never bend. Tonally, "The Long Walk" sits somewhere between the coming-of-age warmth of "Stand by Me" and the bleak survivalism of "The Road," and it has been likened to a war movie without the war. Crucially, hope flickers throughout and is never fully extinguished, which is what keeps the film from tipping into total despair.
The cast and Mark Hamill's villain turn
The film leans on a strong ensemble of young actors, several of whom deliver standout performances. The main cast includes:
- David Jonsson
- Cooper Hoffman
- Ben Wang
- Charlie Plummer
- Jordan Gonzalez
Overseeing the contest is a brutal military commander played by Mark Hamill, who spends the runtime delivering what one reviewer called the cruelest pep talk imaginable. It is a chilling counterweight to the desperation of the walkers, and a reminder of how effective Hamill can be in a villain role. Fans who like to keep up with the newest streaming movie reviews will find plenty to chew on here.
Is it worth watching?
For the right viewer, absolutely. "The Long Walk" was named one of Tom's Guide's favorite movies of 2025, with one critic calling it one of the best King adaptations ever made. The performances carry real emotional weight, and the film keeps a flicker of hope alive even as the situation grows bleaker. The Tom's Guide writer who tracked its climb even confessed a soft spot for "Sinners," a romantic horror title on the same platform, yet still rated "The Long Walk" a satisfying watch in its own right.
Just know what you are signing up for. This is a bleak, intense film, closer to "The Road" than to a popcorn thriller, so it is best saved for an evening when you are ready to sit with something heavy. If that sounds like your kind of story, it is currently the most-watched movie on HBO Max for good reason. For more on what is topping the charts, check our latest entertainment news.
Frequently asked questions
Is "The Long Walk" based on a Stephen King book?
Yes. It is adapted from a Stephen King story and has been praised as one of the best King adaptations in years.
How long is "The Long Walk"?
The film runs about 108 minutes.
Where can I watch "The Long Walk"?
It is streaming on HBO Max, where it is currently the No. 1 movie.
