The Running Man

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The Running Man

R

Released Nov 13, 1987

1h 41m

Sci-Fi

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In the year 2019, America is a totalitarian state where the favorite television program is "The Running Man" -- a game show in which prisoners must run to freedom to avoid a brutal death. Having been made a scapegoat by the government, an imprisoned Ben Richards (Arnold Schwarzenegger) has the opportunity to make it back to the outside again by being a contestant on the deadly show, although the twisted host, Damon Killian (Richard Dawson), has no intention of letting him escape.

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Critics Consensus

The Running Man is winking sci-fi satire with ridiculous clothes and workmanlike direction.

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Adam Nayman

The Ringer

However far away from the book's original vision the movie may stray, it ends up right in Arnold's wheelhouse, letting him dispatch a series of worthy rivals with aplomb.

Sep 5, 2019

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Schwarzenegger sadistically dispatches the baddies, enunciating typical wisecrack remarks (many repeated from his previous films), but it's all too easy.

Apr 30, 2008

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Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

A brainless, breathless thrill.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 30, 2008

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…while this once seemed like just another Arnie joint with Verhoeven sci-fi- satire trappings, The Running Man picked up on a number of themes about American dystopia that should make it ripe for revival…

Rated: 3/5

Mar 16, 2025

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Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

While it diverts greatly from the book by Richard Bachman (aka Stephen King), this is an entertaining slice of 80s pop action.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 27, 2024

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A particular kitschy piece of 80s Arnie action, with a great premise and some potent underlying themes limply handled.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 15, 2023

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Richard B

If you're a male who grew up in the 80s/90s and you can't have fun with this movie I feel sorry for you.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

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alan g

Too clichéd with predictable plot and wooden acting.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/22/25

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Terry J

If you are expecting and hoping the movie to be even closely resembling Stephen King's book of the same name, forget it!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

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Jason S

🌀COLLECTION RATING 88%

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/05/25

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Teddy B

I'm not even going to connect this to the Richard Bachman (Stephen King) novella, it's so different it's unbelievable. Surprisingly, that's okay. What happens in this scenario is campy and entertaining nonetheless so what do I have to complain about? Many things, but it feels like a waste against simple intentions.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/07/25

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Jev M

1995: Hell yeah. 2005: Hell yeah. 2015: Hell yeah. 2025: Hell yeah.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

Full Review

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Paul Michael Glaser

Director

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Ben Richards

Maria Conchita Alonso

Amber Mendez

Richard Dawson

Damon Killian

Yaphet Kotto

William Laughlin

Jim Brown

Fireball

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The Running Man: Official Clip - Splitting Buzzsaw

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Synopsis

In the year 2019, America is a totalitarian state where the favorite television program is "The Running Man" -- a game show in which prisoners must run to freedom to avoid a brutal death. Having been made a scapegoat by the government, an imprisoned Ben Richards (Arnold Schwarzenegger) has the opportunity to make it back to the outside again by being a contestant on the deadly show, although the twisted host, Damon Killian (Richard Dawson), has no intention of letting him escape.

Director: Paul Michael Glaser
Producer: George Linder, Tim Zinnemann
Screenwriter: Steven E. de Souza
Distributor: TriStar Pictures
Production Co: TAFT Entertainment, Home Box Office (HBO)
Rating: R
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 13, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $38.0M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround

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