The Running Man

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The Running Man

R

1987

1h 41m

Sci-Fi

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

60%

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121 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 a winking sci-fi satire with ridiculous clothes and workmanlike direction.

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David Edelstein

Village Voice

As an actor, Schwarzenegger makes Stallone look profound. He's pretty hilarious cast as someone called "the running man"; he's so muscle-bound he can hardly walk.

Nov 7, 2025

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

This movie may barely escape the exploitation category, but not the garbage classification.

Nov 7, 2025

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Joe Kane

New York Daily News

The Running Man is an often sophomoric but generally fun dystopian slaughterfest.

Nov 6, 2025

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Julian Petley

Monthly Film Bulletin

The Running Man is efficient enough as a violent action movie if hardly a very original addition to the already well-worn 'apocalyptic city' genre.

Nov 7, 2025

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Jack Garner

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

The visceral action, the gory-but-funny violence, and the campy one-liners make this a wonderfully entertaining comic book-in-motion.

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 7, 2025

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Dan Geringer

Philadelphia Daily News

"The Running Man" is a first-class Arnold movie, which means it has non-stop comic-book action, the Arnold Glare, the Arnold deadpan one-liners, some wonderfully bizarre secondary characters and a bad guy you love to hate.

Nov 6, 2025

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Ray C

Wildly entertaining and full of 80s cheese. The Running Man sees Arnold Schwarzenegger at peak action hero status, one liners and everything. I also loved Richard Dawson as the sadistic game show host antagonist.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/01/25

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Daniel W

Very fun movie, I will say. Arnold is Arnold, the one liners are bad, plot that is relevant today. Good time if you want an 80s thrill to waste some time.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/26/25

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Albert W

Silly, fun, and entertaining movie with the Arnold.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/20/25

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Arlen B

A really fun movie. Arnold is Arnold.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/15/25

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David E

Arnie is at his best in an action-based movie with quirky one liners that is pure entertainment. Highly recommended entertainment.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/13/25

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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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Paul Michael Glaser

Director

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Ben Richards

Maria Conchita Alonso

Amber Mendez

Richard Dawson

Damon Killian

Yaphet Kotto

William Laughlin

Jim Brown

Fireball

The Running Man: The Running Man (1987) - Best Scenes

9:40

The Running Man: Official Clip - Dynamo Crashes

2:59

The Running Man: Official Clip - Let's Start Running!

2:56

The Running Man: Official Clip - Subzero Gets Iced

2:55

The Running Man: Official Clip - TV Studio Shootout

2:11

The Running Man: Official Clip - Captain Freedom's Kills

2:39

The Running Man: Official Clip - Fireball Chase

2:07

The Running Man: Official Clip - Fireball Explodes

2:24

The Running Man: Official Clip - Buzzsaw Attacks

2:18

The Running Man: Official Clip - Americans Love Television!

2:03

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The Running Man: Trailer 1

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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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