8 Great Movies To Watch if You Loved The Running Man

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As a huge Stephen King fan, I’ve been really excited about all the adaptations we’ve been getting this year – things like The Long Walk and the It: Welcome to Derry series have been great. But the newest one, directed by Edgar Wright and starring Glenn Powell, is a remake of the 80s Arnold Schwarzenegger film. What’s cool is it actually seems to be drawing a lot more from King’s original story this time around, which is something I’ve been hoping for!

Although critics are split on the new movie version of The Running Man, it’s exciting and suspenseful enough to attract fans. The film builds on ideas seen in many earlier stories, and those who liked the recent Edgar Wright film will likely enjoy this one too – and similar movies have been made for nearly a hundred years.

The Most Dangerous Game Inspired Films Like The Running Man

Stephen King’s The Running Man and its movie adaptations were directly inspired by Richard Connell’s 1924 short story, The Most Dangerous Game. The 1932 film version stars Joel McCrea as Bob Rainsford, a hunter who becomes stranded on the island of the enigmatic Count Zaroff. Rainsford and the other survivors soon discover that Zaroff hunts humans instead of animals, having become bored with traditional game. The castaways must then fight for their lives as the ruthless Count begins hunting them down.

Published in the 20th century, “The Most Dangerous Game” is a highly influential short story that has inspired many works of fiction, including numerous books, TV shows, and films. The idea of humans hunting other humans is a captivating theme, particularly when the hunted turn the tables. If you enjoy stories like “The Running Man,” you should experience the original inspiration – the 1932 film adaptation of “The Most Dangerous Game.”

The Hunger Games Depicts a Murderous Game Show

It’s easy to see similarities between The Running Man and The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games, originally a series of books by Suzanne Collins and later adapted into four popular movies, is set in a bleak future ruled by a controlling government. This government demands that each year, two teenagers from its population are chosen as “tributes” and forced to compete in a deadly battle called the Hunger Games. Only one tribute can survive, and they are declared the winner. The story centers on Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen-year-old who fights for her life in the 74th Hunger Games, ultimately sparking a rebellion against the government.

Both The Running Man and The Hunger Games share a similar idea: people compete in a deadly game show where the prize is survival. Losing means certain death. Although The Hunger Games is more frightening, it’s actually more equitable than The Running Man, which pits ordinary people against professional killers. Despite this difference, both stories examine how far someone will go for the people they care about, even if it means sacrificing themselves. The world of The Hunger Games continues to expand with new movies, including Sunrise on the Reaping, scheduled for release in 2026.

Hard Target Has a Similar Premise to The Running Man

Released in 1993, Hard Target is heavily inspired by the classic story The Most Dangerous Game. The film features Jean-Claude Van Damme as Chance Bourdreaux, a sailor who becomes the prey in a deadly game orchestrated by a group of people who hunt humans for fun. Alongside Yancy Butler’s character, Natasha Binder, he must fight his way across town to claim a reward and survive. True to many of Van Damme’s films, Bourdreaux is a highly skilled martial artist and ultimately outsmarts his pursuers.

Both Hard Target and The Running Man share a similar premise: a person is hunted by skilled killers for a cash prize. The Running Man takes things a step further by turning the hunt into a televised spectacle, offering a critique of capitalism and reality TV. If you enjoy ’90s action movies like The Running Man, Hard Target is a great choice. And for dedicated fans, a 2016 sequel featuring Scott Adkins is also available.

Predator Puts Arnold Schwarzenegger in a Fight for His Life

Man, 1987 was a great year for Arnold! Not only did he run for his life in Running Man, but he also faced off against Predator. This movie is seriously intense – Arnold plays Dutch, the leader of a special forces team sent into the Guatemalan jungle to rescue a kidnapped diplomat. But things quickly go south when they realize they’re the ones being hunted by this incredibly dangerous creature. It’s a total fight for survival, and let me tell you, it’s brutal – only the toughest guys make it out alive.

Predator is a classic action-horror film that blends the thrills of slasher movies with deeper, thought-provoking themes. Beyond the action and suspense, the movie explores ideas about trauma, violence, and what it means to have honor. Released in 1987, it spawned a successful franchise that continues with its seventh installment and promises more films to come.

Ready or Not Follows a Murderous Family Hunting Dangerous Game

The 2019 thriller, Ready or Not, puts a unique spin on the classic ‘most dangerous game’ concept. The film follows Grace MacCaullay, played by Samara Weaving, as she meets her future in-laws before her wedding. What starts as a seemingly harmless game night quickly becomes a terrifying fight for survival when Grace is forced to play a lethal version of hide-and-seek. Hunted by her new in-laws throughout their enormous mansion, she must evade capture or face deadly consequences.

The 2019 horror film Ready or Not became a surprising success thanks to its darkly humorous take on the classic “most dangerous game” premise. It offers a great viewing experience with both intense action and laugh-out-loud comedy, and has even spawned a sequel currently scheduled for release in 2026.

Battle Royale Is the Original Fight to the Death Dystopian Drama

Released in 2000, the Japanese film Battle Royale tells the story of a class of students forced to fight each other to the death. The film is set in a near-future Japan where the government, after a major economic crisis, has become extremely controlling. As part of this new control, they institute a yearly event called ‘Battle Royale,’ where young offenders are pitted against each other in a deadly competition until only one survives.

Though often overlooked, Battle Royale was a groundbreaking film that inspired many others, like The Hunger Games. It essentially created the ‘battle royale’ genre, presenting a disturbing and brutal story of teenagers forced to fight for survival. Like The Running Man, it offers a dark commentary on society, suggesting a bleak outlook on human nature and our acceptance of violence.

The Belko Experiment Tests Human Morality

Released in 2016, The Belko Experiment is a chilling film by James Gunn. It centers around eighty Belko Industries employees working in Colombia who find themselves trapped in their office one ordinary day. They receive a terrifying order: kill thirty of their colleagues, or everyone will die. As the situation quickly spirals out of control, the workers split into groups – some willing to fight for survival through violence, and others desperately trying to hold onto their morals.

As the title suggests, The Belko Experiment is a frightening story that explores how quickly people might abandon their morals to survive. Similar to The Running Man, the film presents a bleak view of society, though it does offer small moments of optimism. While The Belko Experiment isn’t for all viewers, it’s a compelling and unsettling story that feels surprisingly realistic.

The Running Man (1987) Is a Very Different Adaptation

Fans of Edgar Wright’s work might be surprised by how much the 1987 film The Running Man differs from the source material. The story centers on Ben Richards, a former police captain in a bleak future (2019). When he refuses to shoot unarmed protestors, he’s falsely accused of a massacre and compelled to participate in “The Running Man,” a deadly game show where contestants are hunted by relentless killers and must fight for their lives.

While the 1987 film The Running Man and the 2025 reboot share common ground, they are distinctly different movies. You can easily watch both back-to-back without feeling bored. The original features more memorable characters and action sequences that, while not as flashy as modern effects, will appeal to fans of 1980s action films. If you enjoyed the dystopian setting of The Running Man, you’ll likely appreciate seeing another director’s take on it from nearly forty years ago.

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2025-11-17 21:42