The Running Man
Directed by Paul Michael Glaser6.659%61%6.5
In a future dystopian America, a wrongfully accused and convicted policeman gets his shot at freedom when he's forced to participate in a TV game show where convicts called Runners must battle killers for their freedom.
The Running Man Ratings & Reviews
- Dave BarnesJanuary 6, 2026OK, so it's dated, very dated. The lycra clad protagonists aside though, it was always being played for laughs to some extent. But, let's face it, this was never a good movie.
- John MossJanuary 5, 2026Upon revisiting the original version of the Running Man. I have to marvel at how much better the Arnold version is than the current Glen Powell edition.
- Mr. DJanuary 3, 2026Well, that hit the spot.
- NiztradamusOctober 12, 2025Cheesy 80s action just never gets old. You know what you are getting into. A bucketload of corny one liners, a lot of stale acting by Arnie and still being the coolest dude in town, physics and effects that make less sense than any Michael Bay movie and a storyline that completely goes batshit crazy and yet you see similarities to current times that back when the movie came out, nobody expected to ever happen in the west. I can't give it 5 stars for it has some major flaws but it's just a hell of a good time for anything less than 4 stars out of 5.
- MitchJanuary 2, 2026I can't believe I never saw this until now. This may be up there for the most 80's movie ever. Also I was surprised at how much I was laughing. They may not have intended for me to laugh but almost 40 years later that's bound to happen. Great campy fun where you turn your brain off for an hour and a half and enjoy the "run".
- BEAULONEAJuly 3, 2025Super 80's action. A story more shallow than a kiddie pool and poorly executed action. Not my favorite Schwarzenegger movie.
- ChrispixDecember 31, 2025A fun 80s action movie that the whole family can enjoy!
- mickerdooDecember 4, 2025Pure entertainment. Puns, an opera singing lightning villain, Arnold. What more could you ask for? Love it.
- flavo43November 29, 2025The Running Man is a wild, high-energy burst of ’80s action cinema wrapped in a near-future dystopian premise that still feels relevant today. Its foundation—television propaganda used to pacify and manipulate the masses—is incredibly strong and could have delivered a razor-sharp critique of media control. Instead, the direction leans heavily into over-the-top spectacle, transforming what could have been a chilling satire into a flashy arena of explosive set pieces and dark comedy. Richard Dawson is sensational as the game show host–turned–villain, bringing a charismatic menace that outshines almost everyone on screen. Arnold Schwarzenegger, while undeniably iconic, steers the film into familiar territory with one-liners and brute-force heroics, shifting the story away from its more thoughtful, dystopian roots. Despite these missteps, the film remains enjoyable for its pop-culture punch, memorable characters, and outrageous energy. It’s entertaining, but you can’t help wondering how much more powerful it could have been with a more grounded, satirical approach.
- nicknack041484October 4, 2025Was okay for a classic movie
- tommy4706September 29, 2025Always one of my favorite Arnold movies. Classic and action packed
- jagdeep5November 28, 2025Saw this original after seeing the 2025 version cinema. The original is now gloriously cheesy, with one liners from Arnold for example. Really entertaining
- sti53September 21, 2025Aahhh.. the eighties. The decade of one liners and uptempo pop music in action scenes <3 The premise for this book/movie is actually almost spot on when we take a look at what the world has come to with censoring, lies from the media and manipulated videos/photos with help from computer software. I've had it on my list for ages, finally got around to watch it for the first time. And even if I didn't rate it higher than 2.5 stars, I am glad I finally got around to watch it.
- AbbaNovember 24, 2025Holy, 80s one-liners galore, with just the right amount of cheese.
- Jonathan KillebrewNovember 18, 2025Still a great '80s action movie. I re-watched it knowing that the remake is coming soon. It's still a neat concept even though I know it was condensed down for American audiences back then.
The Running Man Trivia
The Running Man was released on November 13, 1987.
The Running Man was directed by Paul Michael Glaser.
The Running Man has a runtime of 1h 40m.
The Running Man was produced by George Linder, Tim Zinnemann.
The key characters in The Running Man are Ben Richards (Arnold Schwarzenegger), Damon Killian (Richard Dawson), Amber Mendez (María Conchita Alonso).
The Running Man is rated R.
The Running Man is an Action, Science Fiction, Thriller film.
The Running Man has an audience rating of 6.1 out of 10.