Glen Powell as Ben Richards in “The Running Man”

In a future where human survival is the ultimate entertainment, one man’s desperate fight to save himself and his family becomes America’s most watched television spectacle. Prepare yourself for pulse-pounding action, heart-stopping suspense, and the world’s most thrilling game of cat-and-mouse in “The Running Man” (2025).

This fall, director Edgar Wright brings Stephen King’s dystopian masterpiece to life in a fresh, contemporary adaptation that captures both the raw intensity and intrigue of the original novel while upping the stakes and spectacle for the big screen. Our team at StreamSafely is beyond excited to witness this all-new interpretation hit theaters in what promises to be one of the year’s most epic cinematic experiences. 

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Everything You Should Know Before Seeing The Running Man (2025)

“The Running Man” (2025) follows protagonist Ben Richards in a future decimated by economic downturn, moral bankruptcy, and an unchecked love for entertainment and human suffering. Blacklisted from employment and struggling to meet the medical needs of this young daughter, Richards decides to participate in the country’s most-watched reality game show The Running Man, in which contestants can win a fortune — all they need to do is not get killed. 

In both the new film and the original novel, America has become a totalitarian dystopia. Originally published in 1982 under Stephen King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman, the novel presents a chilling vision of reality television taken to its most extreme and deadly conclusion. The book explores themes of malicious and manipulative media, economic desperation, and the lengths to which people will go to survive in an increasingly hostile world. The original novel takes place in 2025, which makes the arrival of the new movie perfectly fitting.

Just five years after publication, the novel had its first adaptation into film with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead role. The 1987 movie took significant liberties with King’s source material, transforming the intimate cat-and-mouse thriller into a more action-oriented spectacle of modern blockbusters. While the Schwarzenegger version maintained the basic premise of a deadly game show, it shifted the focus from psychological tension and social commentary to explosive set pieces and iconic one-liners. Rather than a chance for economic prosperity, the game show in the film is an alternative to serving hard time in the earthquake-ravaged city of Los Angeles. Instead of running for their lives in a worldwide game of cat-and-mouse, contestants in the 1987 film enter a gladiatorial competition against large, costumed, and weapon-brandishing “Stalkers.” The film received mixed critical reception but found success at the box office, earning $38 million worldwide and becoming a cult classic. However, it missed the deeper social themes that made the novel so compelling.

In 2025, economic inequality and financial hardship are again front and center. Now played by Glen Powell, Ben Richards is forced into the game by insurmountable employment obstacles and the mounting medical expenses of his daughter. While the novel used a team of hitmen to track down each contestant, in true Hollywood fashion, the threat is now much greater: Every viewer can become part of the game. With the entire world as the arena and every citizen a broadcaster, Richards must hide from a team of assassins and millions of cameras.

Edgar Wright

With a long career that has consistently pushed the boundaries of filmmaking, English director Edgar Wright brings his own brand of visual storytelling to this new Running Man movie. Wright is known for his genre-defining films and instant cult classics like “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” (2010) and “Hot Fuzz” (2007). These films in particular are prime examples of Wright’s incredible attention to detail, surrealism, subversion, and expert editing — all of which are sure to be well used in the “The Running Man” remake. Wright also directed other fan-favorite films including “Shaun of the Dead” (2004), “The World’s End” (2013), “Baby Driver” (2017), and “Last Night in Soho” (2021).

Movie Plot

America is destitute. Poverty and desperation are rampant. The only outlet is the glittering, glamorous, and deadly reality TV show called The Running Man. Unemployable and breaking under his sick daughter’s mounting medical costs, Ben Richards becomes a contestant of the game in a last-ditch effort to win his fortune and secure financial freedom for his family. The rules are simple: survive for 30 days while the entire nation tries to hunt you down.  

Genre

In addition to being an action movie, the film is categorized on IMDb as a dark comedy, which may give the heavier subject matter moments of levity, undoubtedly helped by Glen Powell’s electric charm. The film is also labeled as one-man army action, dystopian, adventure, thriller, and sci-fi.   

Runtime

No official runtime for “The Running Man” has been released. Director Edgar Wright’s previous films “Last Night in Soho” and “Baby Driver” each ran for just under two hours. A similar runtime can be expected for the new film, as two hours has become an industry standard, especially within action movies. The 1987 film had a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. 

Rating

The new Running Man movie has not yet received an official rating from the Motion Picture Association. However, the premise and the intense action, violence, and language seen in the trailer will undoubtedly garner it a PG-13 rating, if not R. The 1987 film was rated R.

Theatrical Release Date

“The Running Man” (2025) will be released to theaters on November 7, 2025.

Streaming Options

The new film will be released exclusively in theaters, with no co-release on streaming. However, as a property of Paramount Pictures, you can expect to find it on Paramount+ following its theatrical run. You can watch “The Running Man” (1987) on Paramount+ now.

Any streaming platform offering the new Running Man movie before or during its time in theaters is likely fraudulent. Learn how to recognize illegal streaming sites so you can avoid the risks of viewing pirated content and support all the industry professionals that make action-packed films like this possible. 

The Running Man Official Trailer

Join millions of frenzied and bloodthirsty spectators watching Ben Richard’s desperate attempt for survival in the teaser trailer! 

Cast & Crew

Glen Powell leads this star-studded cast as Ben Richards. Powell had his breakout performance as Chad Radwell in Fox’s comedy horror series “Scream Queens,” which ran from 2015 to 2016. Since then, he has accrued over 50 voice and acting credits. Most recently, Powell reached superstardom playing opposite Sydney Sweeny in “Anyone But You” in 2023 and the male lead, Tyler, in “Twisters,” which came out the following year.

Joining Powell is Josh Brolin, playing the game show’s nefarious producer, Dan Killian. Brolin is an industry giant who is no stranger to blockbusters. Most famously, he played Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as well as Cable in “Deadpool 2” (2018) and Gurney Halleck in “Dune: Part One” (2021) and “Dune: Part Two” (2024).

Check out the list below for more members of the incredible cast:  

  • Glen Powell: Ben Richards
  • Lee Pace: Evan McCone
  • Josh Brolin: Dan Killian
  • Colman Domingo: Bobby Thompson
  • Michael Cera: Elton
  • David Zayas: Richard Manuel
  • Katy O’Brian: Laughlin
  • Jayme Lawson: Sheila
  • George Carroll: Agent Dugg
  • Sandra Dickinson: Victoria
  • William H. Macy: Undisclosed
  • Emilia Jones: Undisclosed
  • Daniel Ezra: Undisclosed

The crew includes:

  • Director: Edgar Wright
  • Writers: Michael Bacall, Edgar Wright
  • Executive Producers: James Biddle, Audrey Chon, George Linder, Rachael Prior
  • Cinematographer: Chung-hoon Chung
  • Music Supervisor: Kirsten Lane
  • Production Companies: Paramount Pictures, Kinberg Genre, Complete Fiction

How to Stream The Running Man

“The Running Man” (2025) will be released exclusively in theaters. However, be sure to keep an eye out for it on Paramount+ after its theatrical run so you can enjoy the nail-biting chase again and again! The combination of Glen Powell’s rising star power, Wright’s distinctive directorial style, and King’s endless imagination is an experience you won’t want to miss.

In the meantime, we remain dedicated to helping viewers find the safest, most reliable ways to enjoy films like this while avoiding the countless risks associated with illegal streaming sites and pirated content. Our comprehensive movie database helps users locate legitimate streaming options and free legal platforms to watch their favorite films. With our help, you can reduce the risk of malware, identity theft, and the poor video quality that often accompanies pirated content. 

When you’re ready to dive into the world of high-stakes survival with “The Running Man,” StreamSafely will be your trusted guide to finding the best possible viewing experience. Whether you prefer the theatrical experience or legitimate home streaming options, we’re here to help.

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