The Running Man is back — and this time, it isn’t just a loose reinterpretation.
Director Edgar Wright is bringing Stephen King’s brutal dystopian story to modern audiences with a version that promises to stick closer to the tone and themes of the novel King originally published as Richard Bachman.
The 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger became a cult favorite but famously strayed far from the book. Wright’s 2025 adaptation aims to course-correct, delivering something more grounded, more intense, and more in line with King’s violent satire of media, surveillance, and state-sanctioned spectacle.
With Glen Powell stepping into the role of Ben Richards, anticipation is high — and so are the questions about where and how to watch it.
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Here’s everything you need to know.
When Does The Running Man (2025) Come Out?
Edgar Wright’s The Running Man hits theaters on:
Friday, November 14, 2025
This exclusive theatrical release means that, for now, there’s only one way to see it: on the big screen.
Is The Running Man Streaming or Only in Theaters?
As of its release week, The Running Man is exclusively playing in theaters.
There is no streaming option yet, so fans must purchase a movie ticket to watch the film.
If you’re planning to catch it during opening weekend, major ticketing outlets already have listings:
- Fandango
- AMC Theatres
- Regal
- Atom Tickets
- MovieTickets.com
The film is expected to remain in wide theatrical release for several weeks, depending on performance.
Where Will The Running Man Stream After Theaters?
Because The Running Man is a Paramount Pictures production, it will head to Paramount+ for streaming once its theatrical window closes.
Paramount typically follows a 45–90 day theater-to-streaming window, but that can vary depending on box office success.
If the movie performs well, its streaming debut may be pushed later.
For now, the safest assumption is:
The Running Man will most likely stream on Paramount+ in early 2026.
Who Stars in The Running Man (2025)?
The film features a high-profile and highly eclectic cast, combining action veterans, rising stars, and character-driven performers:
- Glen Powell – Ben Richards
- Josh Brolin
- Lee Pace
- Michael Cera
- Colman Domingo
- Emilia Jones
- Katy O’Brian
- Jayme Lawson
- William H. Macy
The mix of dramatic and comedic actors suggests Wright is leaning into the story’s tonal balance — a gritty chase narrative with satirical edges.
What Is The Running Man About?
At its core, The Running Man is a grim, adrenaline-fueled portrait of a society obsessed with violence as entertainment.
The Premise
Ben Richards, desperate to secure money for his family, volunteers for the deadliest reality competition ever created: The Running Man, a global manhunt broadcast live.
If he can survive 30 days while the entire country — including professional killers known as “Hunters” — tries to track and murder him, he wins a life-changing fortune.
But staying alive isn’t just about avoiding the Hunters. Civilians can report him for cash. Cameras are everywhere. And the game is designed to crush contestants long before they taste victory.
Official Synopsis
“A man joins a game show in which contestants, allowed to go anywhere in the world, are pursued by ‘hunters’ hired to kill them.”
Wright’s adaptation is expected to lean heavily into themes of surveillance, authoritarianism, and the voyeurism of modern media — topics even more relevant today than when King first wrote the story.
Why This Adaptation Matters
Edgar Wright directing The Running Man is significant for several reasons:
1. A Faithful Version of King’s Original Vision
King’s novel is darker, more political, and far more grounded than the 1987 action movie. Fans have long wanted a version that captures that tone.
2. Glen Powell’s Rising Star Power
From Top Gun: Maverick to Anyone But You to Hit Man, Powell has become one of Hollywood’s most dynamic leading men.
3. A Story Perfect for the 2020s
Between surveillance capitalism, reality TV extremes, and the commodification of violence… The Running Man has never been more relevant.
4. Edgar Wright’s Precision Filmmaking
Known for kinetic action (Baby Driver) and razor-sharp satire (Hot Fuzz), Wright is uniquely positioned to modernize this dystopian chase story.
