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%

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Líder7reynier Á

The running man is a good adaptation from Stephen King novel my score for this movie is 9.2/10

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/18/24

Full Review

Howard H

80's action filming at its best. Themes relevant today, cracking 80's soundtrack, haircuts and group acting. The last extra feature on the special edition DVD is very informative viewing about the Patriot Act 2001.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/24

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 - Dynamo Crashes

2:59

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

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The Running Man: Official Clip - Subzero Gets Iced

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The Running Man: Official Clip - TV Studio Shootout

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

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The Running Man: Official Clip - Fireball Chase

2:07

The Running Man: Official Clip - Fireball Explodes

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The Running Man: Official Clip - Buzzsaw Attacks

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The Running Man: Official Clip - Americans Love Television!

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The Running Man: Official Clip - Splitting Buzzsaw

2:09

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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: 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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