The Running Man

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The Running Man

R

Released Nov 13, 1987

1h 41m

Sci-Fi

Action

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Popcornmeter

67%

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48 Reviews

61%

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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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Justin T

This is so very eighties and so much of a classic Arnold Schwarzenegger film. It is fun but it is not amazing. The acting is not great. The action has lots of explosions which is cool but looks dated and when there are no explosions the action is a little slow. It’s not as good as Demolition Man (1993) or Predator (1987) or Total Recall (1990). I actually think that a respectful remake could make an excellent film, fix the action, keep the fun and eighties. Overall fun mindless action that is enjoyable but far from outstanding.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/30/25

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Daniel N

If you enjoy classic Arnie movies then you'll enjoy this. You can tell it is nearly 40 years old as the acting is terrible but it has some great Arnie one-liners.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/21/25

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Paul S

It's not Arnold Schwarzenegger's best performance, and the corny one-liners definitely didn't help, but this movie was amazing! It showed a beautiful dystopian atmosphere, and it highlighted the cost and importance of defying tyranny. The concept of the movie is both captivating and terrifying, and it is so much fun to watch from start to finish. I definitely recommend it for action fans!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/13/25

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Omid S.

Once of the best movies ever made for its time ! Period I don’t care about the book and I don’t care about people new age stuff 2025 expectations

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/08/25

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Tina S

This was a tally fun movie and worth the watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/08/25

Full Review

Sandra T

Whilst I absolutely loved the book when I read the movie is really bad. Stephen king's story was raw, ruthless, breathtaking and heart breaking. The movie has even a feel good touch to it. It does not follow the book's plot and adds unnecessary elements like a super strong and ex military hero, histrionic humour and even romance. It's a really bad movie that gets worse as it ages.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

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

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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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