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The Running Man

Play trailer Poster for The Running Man R Released Nov 13, 1987 1h 41m Sci-Fi Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The Running Man

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Ian Nathan Empire Magazine A brainless, breathless thrill. Rated: 4/5 Apr 30, 2008 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review At odds with its own purpose, the movie condemns the exhibition of violence, and yet at every turn resolves to be the very thing it condemns. Rated: 2/4 Feb 22, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jay W In the dystopian future of 2017, all media is controlled by the state. Their most popular TV show is "Running Man", a game show where convicts fight against American Gladiator style warriors known as "Stalkers". If the contestants are able to escape with their lives, then they are granted their freedom. After being framed for a crime he didn't commit, Schwarzenegger's Ben Richards is entered into this competition. Of course, not all the "futuristic" technology holds up, but the commentary they make on media is still surprisingly relevant to this day. The movie is vintage Arnold. It came out the same year as "Predator" and has him doing the action and spouting all the one-liners as only Arnold can. There is a definite cheesy charm to it. With all his quips, the title of the film could have been "The Punning Man". Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/21/24 Full Review Audience M Explosive action, cheesy Schwarzenegger one-liners and a cleverly constructed dystopian backdrop with some surprisingly well-observed social commentary thrown in. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/03/24 Full Review Paul K Rewatch Review 2024 Acting: 2/10 Non existent Script: 3/10. So many memorable one liners, but they shyed away from writing anything remotely smart to improve the plot Plot: 7/10 The premise is still interesting and if this was redone today, with a better script it could really be good. The movie was set in a futuristic world way into the future year of 2017. The underline point of the movie which is they could make people play violent games for the amusement of the public still seems relevant today. Action: 5/10 Pretty original sets and fight scenes, lots of Arnold being 80s Arnold, so it hits all the Nostalgia action I was looking for, but definitely outdated. Special Effects 2/10. This movie did not hold up when it comes to effects. The “futuristic” computers have the same look as the Star Wars new Hope ones have. The Outfits of the “stalkers” also haven’t aged well and the deaths are laughable. Observation: The “password off” the convicts and the guards have at the beginning of the movie is great … both typing into a computer as fast as they can to arm and disarm the neck exploder. We need more password offs in movies! Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/23/24 Full Review Mark C Top 80s action. Watching again after a very long time, it still holds up really well today. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/11/24 Full Review Mooey H The Running Man blasts onto screens as a 5-star action extravaganza! Arnold Schwarzenegger dominates as Ben Richards, a wrongly convicted man forced into a deadly game show. This sci-fi actioner is pure 80s gold, packed with quotable lines ("I have bad memories of milk!") and explosive stunts. Get ready for killer humor, cheesy one-liners, and battles against iconic gladiators like Subzero and Fireball. A must-watch for action fans and anyone who appreciates a cheesy classic! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/24/24 Full Review James B A fine adaptation of Stephen King this has action and the best fight and Arnold is just perfect in this movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/15/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Running Man

The Running Man: Official Clip - Dynamo Crashes The Running Man: Official Clip - Dynamo Crashes 2:59 The Running Man: Official Clip - Let's Start Running! The Running Man: Official Clip - Let's Start Running! 2:56 The Running Man: Official Clip - Subzero Gets Iced The Running Man: Official Clip - Subzero Gets Iced 2:55 The Running Man: Official Clip - TV Studio Shootout The Running Man: Official Clip - TV Studio Shootout 2:11 The Running Man: Official Clip - Captain Freedom's Kills The Running Man: Official Clip - Captain Freedom's Kills 2:39 The Running Man: Official Clip - Fireball Chase The Running Man: Official Clip - Fireball Chase 2:07 The Running Man: Official Clip - Fireball Explodes The Running Man: Official Clip - Fireball Explodes 2:24 The Running Man: Official Clip - Buzzsaw Attacks The Running Man: Official Clip - Buzzsaw Attacks 2:18 The Running Man: Official Clip - Americans Love Television! The Running Man: Official Clip - Americans Love Television! 2:03 The Running Man: Official Clip - Splitting Buzzsaw The Running Man: Official Clip - Splitting Buzzsaw 2:09 View more videos
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Movie Info

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
Home Box Office (HBO), TAFT Entertainment
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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