Stephen King’s $68.5M Sci-Fi Movie The Running Man Finds Redemption on Streaming After Bombing in Theaters

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Hollywood often revisits old stories with remakes, reboots, and revivals. Stephen King’s books, in particular, have been adapted for the screen many times. His 1982 novel is the latest to get a new adaptation.

Originally published in 1982 under the name Richard Bachman, this dystopian thriller was later included in a collection called The Bachman Books. A 1987 film adaptation starring Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t do well, so Hollywood tried again in 2025 with Glen Powell. Although the movie flopped in cinemas, it quickly became popular on streaming services, according to FlixPatrol.

The movie The Running Man first premiered in London on November 5, 2025, and was released widely on November 14th. Despite receiving mixed reviews, it performed well on digital platforms for nearly a month before becoming available on Paramount+ on January 13th – just two months after its initial theatrical release.

The show debuted at number eight on Paramount+ but quickly rose to the top spot within just one day. It also reached number one on the platform’s Canadian charts at the same time.

The title performed well not only on streaming platforms but also in digital stores. In the U.S., it ranked tenth on Amazon, Vudu, and iTunes, and eighth in Canada. It reached ninth place in the U.S. and topped the charts at number one on iTunes in the UK. Additionally, it debuted at number one on MGM+ through Amazon Channels on January 14th.

Edgar Wright, the director known for films like Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver, directed and co-wrote the screenplay for this science fiction update, collaborating with Michael Bacall. Rising star Glen Powell (Twisters, Top Gun: Maverick) plays the lead role of Ben Richards, supported by a talented ensemble cast featuring William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Sean Hayes, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin.

What Happens in The Running Man?

This sci-fi thriller centers on a popular TV show called The Running Man, where people compete to survive for thirty days while being hunted by trained killers. The entire competition is broadcast to a huge audience, and the reward increases with each day the contestants manage to evade capture.

Ben Richards, a hardworking man who’s been unfairly blacklisted from jobs, enters a high-stakes competition hoping to win a billion dollars to pay for his daughter’s medical bills. But things get tricky when he unexpectedly becomes popular with the audience, and people start supporting him.

Although the movie The Running Man was based on a Stephen King story, critics weren’t very impressed. It received a 63% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 289 reviews, making it the lowest-rated Stephen King adaptation from 2025. However, audiences seemed to enjoy it more, giving it a 78% rating.

Okay, so this sci-fi flick was a total box office disaster. They really threw money at it – like $110 million – but it only made around $68.5 million worldwide, according to The Numbers. It just didn’t connect with audiences in theaters. But you know what’s funny? It’s really taken off now that it’s been released digitally and is available on streaming. Seems like it found its audience after leaving the cinema, which is a cool turnaround!

The Running Man is streaming on Paramount+.

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2026-01-14 18:07