Running on Empty (1988): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Running on Empty is a 1988 romantic drama directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Judd Hirsch, Christine Lahti and Martha Plimpton. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and earned $2.8 million worldwide. It was nominated for 2 Oscars. Critics gave it 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 56m (116 min)
- Director
- Sidney Lumet
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros.
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Running on Empty About?
The premise of Running on Empty without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A man haunted by his past choices lives as a fugitive, desperately trying to create a stable future for his young son. He must constantly evade those seeking him, all while grappling with the burden of secrets and the fear of exposure. His journey is one of resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring hope for a second chance.
Running on Empty Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- radicalism
- fugitive
- piano
- coming of age
- f rated
- juilliard school
- apology
- three word title
- fbi agent
- climbing out a window
- straw boater hat
- underground politics
+38 more Show fewer
- birthday cake
- pickup truck
- political activist
- loss of mother
- hair color
- florida
- revolver
- jewish
- marriage
- pizza delivery
- identity theft
- police surveillance
- teacher
- teenager
- young love
- phone booth
- new jersey
- new york city
- new school
- secret past
- name change
- library
- underground movement
- separation from family
- tv news
- moving
- family relationships
- politics
- 1980s
- 1960s
- grandfather grandson relationship
- grandmother grandson relationship
- pianist
- phoenix and plimpton
- bomber
- political radical
- manhattan new york city
- van
Where to Watch Running on Empty
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Running on Empty Cast
Judd Hirsch leads the cast, with Christine Lahti and Martha Plimpton. Directed by Sidney Lumet; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Sidney Lumet
Also Starring in Running on Empty
· 6 moreRunning on Empty Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Running on Empty 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.
-
IMDb 7.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 67 Metascore
User score 8.3
See on Metacritic
Running on Empty Plot Summary
What happens in Running on Empty from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Annie Pope and Arthur Pope are on the run after participating in the 1971 anti-war protest bombing of a napalm laboratory. The act inadvertently blinds and paralyzes a janitor who was not supposed to be there. Since then, they survive with the help of an underground network of supporters who provide money and shelter as they assume new identities. At the time of the incident, their son Danny was two years old; now, in his late teens, the family — which includes a younger son named Harry — keeps moving, never staying in one place for long.
Full summary
The whole story of Running on Empty, scene by scene
Running on Empty Box Office
Running on Empty grossed $2.8 million worldwide. $2.8 million came from the US and Canada and $12,825 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$2.8M
- US & Canada
- $2.8M
- International
- $12.8K
Running on Empty Awards & Nominations
Running on Empty was nominated for 2 Oscars. The 7 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the Golden Globes 1989.
7 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Golden Globes 1989 5 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Sidney Lumet
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actress) – Christine Lahti
- Nominated Best Screenplay – Naomi Foner
- Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture (Supporting Actor) – River Phoenix
-
Oscars 1989 2 nominations- Nominated Actor in a Supporting Role – River Phoenix
- Nominated Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen)
Running on Empty Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.
- Clip Running on Empty (Preview Clip)
Cars in Running on Empty
36 cars on screen, including the 1964 AC Cobra 289 and the 1971 Ford Falcon GT.
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1964 AC Cobra 289 Main role -
1971 Ford Falcon GT Main role -
1959 Bedford TJ Important role -
1968 Ford F-100 Important role
Running on Empty Also Known As
17 alternative titles, including “Flykt utan mål” and “Al filo del vacío”.
- Also known as
-
- Flykt utan mål
- Al filo del vacío
- Vivere in fuga
- À bout de course
- Die Flucht ins Ungewisse
- Un lugar en ninguna parte
- Stracone lata
- אהבה במילכוד
- 허공에의 질주
- Bitmeyen Kaçış
- На холостом ходу
- 不设限通缉
+5 more Show fewer
- Üresjárat
- Бягство към живота
- O Peso de um Passado
- 旅立ちの時, ფუჭი სვლით
- Elämänä pakotie
Seen Running on Empty?
Movies Like Running on Empty
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Running on Empty FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Running on Empty, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Running on Empty?
Running on Empty runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).
When was Running on Empty released?
Running on Empty was released on September 9, 1988.
Who directed Running on Empty?
Running on Empty was directed by Sidney Lumet.
More films by Sidney Lumet Who is in the cast of Running on Empty?
Running on Empty stars Judd Hirsch, Christine Lahti and Martha Plimpton, among 10 credited actors.
Where can I watch Running on Empty?
In the US, Running on Empty is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Running on Empty make at the box office?
Running on Empty grossed $2.8 million worldwide ($2.8 million domestic, $12,825 international).
How is Running on Empty rated?
Running on Empty has 7.6/10 on IMDb and 67 on Metacritic.
Was Running on Empty nominated for any awards?
Running on Empty received 7 nominations across 2 ceremonies.
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