Does Newt Die in The Maze Runner Books and Movies?
Yes, Newt dies, but not in the first book. He survives The Maze Runner and dies in The Death Cure, the third book, and in the third film, Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018).
He is infected with the Flare, a disease that turns people into violent Cranks, and he dies at Thomas's hands.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Does Newt die in The Maze Runner (book 1)? | No |
| Where does he die? | The Death Cure (book 2011, film 2018) |
| Cause | He is infected with the Flare |
| Who ends his life | Thomas |
| Played in the films by | Thomas Brodie-Sangster |
In which book does Newt die?
Newt is Alby's second-in-command in the Glade, a calm and level-headed Glader with a limp from an old Runner injury. He is alive at the end of The Maze Runner, and he is also alive in The Scorch Trials. His death comes in The Death Cure.
So the search question is usually answered with: not in book one, not in the first film, but in the final book and the final film.
↑ Back to the topHow does Newt die?
In The Death Cure, Newt shows signs of the Flare. Knowing that he will lose his mind and become dangerous, he asks Thomas to kill him before that happens. When the infection overtakes him, Thomas ends his life.
It is one of the most discussed moments in the series, and many fans consider it the emotional center of the trilogy.
↑ Back to the topIs it the same in the movie?
Newt dies in the film too, with the same cause and the same outcome. The main change is how the request is shown. In the book he leaves Thomas a note asking to be killed; in the film that moment is acted out on screen as Newt begs Thomas to end it while he is still himself.
The film also shows the Gladers burying him, while the book does not say what happened to his body.
↑ Back to the topWhere can I read more of Newt's story?
The prequel The Fever Code gives more of Newt's background. The 2020 novella Crank Palace, set during the events of The Death Cure, follows Newt and Minho.
↑ Back to the topMore about The Maze Runner
This guide covers James Dashner's books. The film series differs from the books in places.