The Running Man

Play trailer

The Running Man

R

Released Nov 13, 1987

1h 41m

Sci-Fi

Action

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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

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

Full Review

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

Jolin S

I loved it back then and I still love it now.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/02/25

Full Review

Torin F

THE RUNNING MAN (1987) is not a great film, but it has a memorable premise that still resonates today, as evidenced by contemporary stuff like The Hunger Games and Squid Game. The Running Man is very '80s, with the expected soundtrack, pro wrestling inspired everything, and terrible one-liner dialogue. Still, the film doesn't feel totally dated, and there's a somehow a certain charm in its commitment to being a film that simultaneously satirizes and celebrates its material.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/07/24

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

12/27/24

Full Review

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

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Paul Michael Glaser

Director

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Ben Richards

Maria Conchita Alonso

Amber Mendez

Richard Dawson

Damon Killian

Yaphet Kotto

William Laughlin

Jim Brown

Fireball

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

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

The Running Man: Official Clip - Splitting Buzzsaw

2:09

View more videos

Total Recall

82%

79%

Total Recall

Watchlist

RoboCop

92%

84%

RoboCop

Watchlist

Judge Dredd

22%

31%

Judge Dredd

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Judge Dredd

Demolition Man

64%

67%

Demolition Man

Watchlist

RoboCop 2

28%

37%

RoboCop 2

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Love Squid Game? Here Are 10 TV Shows and Movies Just Like It

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now