Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

The Running Man

  • 19871987
  • RR
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
151K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,561
640
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
Trailer
Play trailer1:54
3 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Sci-Fi
  • Thriller
In a dystopian America, a falsely convicted policeman gets his shot at freedom when he must forcibly participate in a TV game show where convicts, runners, must battle killers for their free... Read allIn a dystopian America, a falsely convicted policeman gets his shot at freedom when he must forcibly participate in a TV game show where convicts, runners, must battle killers for their freedom.In a dystopian America, a falsely convicted policeman gets his shot at freedom when he must forcibly participate in a TV game show where convicts, runners, must battle killers for their freedom.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
151K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,561
640
  • Director
    • Paul Michael Glaser
  • Writers
    • Stephen King(novel)
    • Steven E. de Souza(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Arnold Schwarzenegger
    • Maria Conchita Alonso
    • Yaphet Kotto
Top credits
  • Director
    • Paul Michael Glaser
  • Writers
    • Stephen King(novel)
    • Steven E. de Souza(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Arnold Schwarzenegger
    • Maria Conchita Alonso
    • Yaphet Kotto
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 304User reviews
    • 159Critic reviews
    • 45Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations

    Videos3

    The Running Man
    Trailer 1:54
    The Running Man
    Jeff Probst Wants This Celebrity on "Survivor"
    Full Episode 4:07
    Jeff Probst Wants This Celebrity on "Survivor"
    What Roles Has Arnold Schwarzenegger Turned Down?
    Video 3:34
    What Roles Has Arnold Schwarzenegger Turned Down?

    Photos221

    Erland van Lidth in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger, Richard Dawson, and Sven-Ole Thorsen in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger, Richard Dawson, Karen Owens, and Mia Togo in The Running Man (1987)
    The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Belushi in The Running Man (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Arnold Schwarzenegger
    Arnold Schwarzenegger
    • Ben Richardsas Ben Richards
    Maria Conchita Alonso
    Maria Conchita Alonso
    • Amber Mendezas Amber Mendez
    Yaphet Kotto
    Yaphet Kotto
    • Laughlinas Laughlin
    Jim Brown
    Jim Brown
    • Fireballas Fireball
    Jesse Ventura
    Jesse Ventura
    • Captain Freedomas Captain Freedom
    Erland van Lidth
    Erland van Lidth
    • Dynamoas Dynamo
    • (as Erland Van Lidth)
    Marvin J. McIntyre
    Marvin J. McIntyre
    • Weissas Weiss
    Gus Rethwisch
    Gus Rethwisch
    • Buzzsawas Buzzsaw
    Professor Toru Tanaka
    Professor Toru Tanaka
    • Subzeroas Subzero
    Mick Fleetwood
    Mick Fleetwood
    • Micas Mic
    Dweezil Zappa
    Dweezil Zappa
    • Stevieas Stevie
    Richard Dawson
    Richard Dawson
    • Damon Killianas Damon Killian
    Karen Leigh Hopkins
    Karen Leigh Hopkins
    • Brendaas Brenda
    Sven-Ole Thorsen
    Sven-Ole Thorsen
    • Svenas Sven
    • (as Sven Thorsen)
    Edward Bunker
    Edward Bunker
    • Lennyas Lenny
    • (as Eddie Bunker)
    Bryan Kestner
    Bryan Kestner
    • Med Techas Med Tech
    Anthony Pena
    Anthony Pena
    • Valdezas Valdez
    • (as Anthony Penya)
    Kurt Fuller
    Kurt Fuller
    • Tonyas Tony
    • Director
      • Paul Michael Glaser
    • Writers
      • Stephen King(novel)
      • Steven E. de Souza(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

    Commando
    6.7
    Commando
    Total Recall
    7.5
    Total Recall
    True Lies
    7.3
    True Lies
    Red Heat
    6.1
    Red Heat
    Conan the Barbarian
    6.9
    Conan the Barbarian
    Eraser
    6.1
    Eraser
    Predator
    7.8
    Predator
    Raw Deal
    5.5
    Raw Deal
    Last Action Hero
    6.4
    Last Action Hero
    Twins
    6.1
    Twins
    Demolition Man
    6.7
    Demolition Man
    RoboCop
    7.6
    RoboCop

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Rob Cohen purchased the rights to the Richard Bachman novel "The Running Man", he had no idea that Bachman was actually a pseudonym for Stephen King.
    • Goofs
      In the helicopter, Ben says, "I will not kill helpless people"; in the game show with the original "uncensored" footage of the massacre he says, "I will not kill helpless human beings."
    • Quotes

      Damon Killian: There are still two crack stalkers out there. Dynamo and Fireball. Who do you think will make the next kill?

      Elderly Lady: Oh, boy. That's a tough one.

      Damon Killian: Come on. You can do it. Who do you think?

      Elderly Lady: Okay, I think the next kill will be made by... Ben Richards.

      Damon Killian: Agnes, Richards is a runner. You gotta pick a stalker.

      Elderly Lady: I can pick anyone I choose. And I choose... Ben Richards. That boy's one mean motherfucker.

    • Crazy credits
      Announcer's voiceover: "The Running Man has been brought to you by: Breakaway Paramilitary Uniforms, Orthopure Pure Procreation Pills, and Cadre Cola - it hits the spot. Promotional considerations paid for by Kelton Flame Throwers, Wainwright Electrical Launchers, and Hammond & Gage Chain Saws. Damon Killian's wardrobe by Chez Antoine, 19th-century craftsmanship for the 21st-century man. Cadre trooper and studio guard's sidearms provided by Colchester, the pistol of patriots. Remember, tickets for the ICS studio tour are always available for class A citizens in good standing. If you'd like to be a contestant on The Running Man, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to ICS Talent Hunt, care of your local affiliate, and then go out and do something really despicable! I'm Phil Hilton. Good night and take care!"
    • Alternate versions
      An edited version was produced for network TV broadcast in which extreme violence was removed, and certain dialogue was redubbed by the original actors (eg. an expletive Barbera Lux uses at the end of the movie was changed to "Bullsquat").
    • Connections
      Edited into 5 Second Movies: Gamer (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      The Ride of the Valkyries
      from "The Valkyries"

      Music by Richard Wagner

    User reviews304

    Review
    Top review
    What if it were made today?
    If the film were remade today, it would have a little more resonance for a modern audience, especially with the amount of reality based television that is so prolific today.

    A straight adaptation from Stephen King's original novel (under the pen name Richard Bachman) would have been much more suitable, especially with the rise of shows like Cops and World's Scariest Police Chases. Placing the entire game within an actual arena isn't quite like how the future turned out. However, they may have to modify the ending (the ending of a novel involves a large airplane crashing into a building).

    Considering all the remakes and sequels that have been made as of late, it's surprising that they haven't remade this one, even though it's a bit more relevant to today's audience than it was back in 1987. Shoot the whole thing on digital video (a la "Series 7: The Contenders") and throw in a lot more dark comedy, and you'd have yourself a nice little independent flick and a cult classic in the making. No need for something with an overbloated budget.
    helpful•22
    10
    • Puke Bag
    • Aug 24, 2003

    FAQ6

    • Although this film is futuristic, why isn't everyone fatter?
    • What's the difference between the film and the book?
    • What Did Stephen King think of the film?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 13, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Running Man
    • Filming locations
      • Belmont Tunnel - 1304 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • TAFT Entertainment Pictures
      • Keith Barish Productions
      • Home Box Office (HBO)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $27,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $38,122,105
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,117,465
      • Nov 15, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $38,122,105
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987)
    Top Gap
    What was the official certification given to The Running Man (1987) in Mexico?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The 10 Most Anticipated Marvel and DC Movies
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.