Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Action thriller

The Running Man (1987): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Running Man (1987) movie poster

The Running Man is a 1987 action thriller starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Conchita Alonso. It is partly based on The Running Man by Stephen King. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $38.1 million worldwide on a $27 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Costumes at the Saturn Awards 1988. Critics gave it 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
worldwide gross
$38.1M
award nomination
1
Metascore
45
Loading streaming availability…
The Running Man (1987) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Genres
Action , Sci-Fi , Thriller
Original language
Italian
Budget
$27M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is The Running Man About?

The premise of The Running Man without spoilers, adapted from The Running Man by Stephen King. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a bleak, dystopian future, a former police officer is wrongly convicted of a crime and forced to compete in a deadly televised game show. As one of the "Runners," he must fight against a series of professional killers in a desperate bid for freedom, all while being broadcast to a captivated nation. The brutal competition offers a chance at redemption, but survival is far from guaranteed.

The Running Man Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • game of death
  • oppression
  • fictional game show
  • government conspiracy
  • totalitarianism
  • most dangerous game
  • dystopian future
  • political corruption
  • kill or be killed
  • police state
  • absurdism
  • explosive collar
+38 more
  • social commentary
  • disinformation
  • flamethrower
  • televised killing
  • dystopian sci fi
  • ends with a kiss
  • year 2017
  • police
  • fight
  • media
  • resistance fighter
  • television
  • gladiatorial sport
  • mercenary
  • escaped prisoner
  • good versus evil
  • machine gun
  • wisecrack humor
  • female warrior
  • unjust incarceration
  • warrior
  • anti hero
  • fighting the system
  • blood
  • gunfight
  • coffee
  • exercise
  • cyberpunk
  • dystopia
  • media manipulation
  • 2010s
  • shootout
  • security guard
  • los angeles california
  • game show host
  • fight to the death
  • necklace bomb
  • revenge
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Running Man Cast

Arnold Schwarzenegger leads the cast, with Maria Conchita Alonso.

Ratings

The Running Man Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Running Man 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

Plot

The Running Man Plot Summary

What happens in The Running Man from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

By the year 2017, the global economy has crumbled, leading to severe shortages in vital resources like food and oil. In the wake of this catastrophe, the U.S. government has collapsed, giving rise to a tyrannical police state segregated into heavily regulated paramilitary zones. The media is tightly controlled, enforcing strict censorship across all forms of communication. However, despite overwhelming oppression, an underground resistance persists, fighting back against the regime.

Full summary

The whole story of The Running Man, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Running Man Box Office & Budget

The Running Man grossed $38.1 million worldwide on a $27 million budget, 1.4 times what it cost.

1987 box office

Worldwide gross

$38.1M

1.4× its budget

US & Canada
$38.1M
Budget
$27M
Awards

The Running Man Awards & Nominations

The Running Man earned 1 award nomination, including Best Costumes at the Saturn Awards 1988.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Running Man?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year is the dystopian setting of 'The Running Man'?

Cars

Cars in The Running Man

8 cars on screen, including the Honda XR 600 RFVC and the unknown.

All 8 cars
  • Honda XR 600 RFVC in The Running Man Honda XR 600 RFVC Important role
  • unknown in The Running Man unknown Important role
  • BMW K 75 in The Running Man BMW K 75 Minor role
  • 1969 Dodge D-600 in The Running Man 1969 Dodge D-600 Minor role
Details

The Running Man Also Known As

37 alternative titles, including “Omul care fuge” and “Battle Runner”.

Also known as
  • Omul care fuge
  • Battle Runner
  • Ölüme Karşı Koşan
  • Carrera Mortal
  • O Sobrevivente [The Running Man] (1987)
  • O Sobrevivente (1987)
  • Perseguido
  • Uciekinier
  • 威龍猛將
  • 런닝맨
  • 런닝 맨
  • 러닝맨
+25 more
  • L'implacabile - The Running Man
  • Бегущий человек
  • O Gladiador
  • Běžící muž
  • A menekülő ember
  • Sidste chance
  • 过关斩将
  • Ο Άτρωτος
  • Justiţia viitorului
  • הנרדף
  • Perseguit
  • O Sobrevivente
  • Бягащият човек
  • Le Jeu du défi
  • Людина, що біжить
  • Juokse tai kuole
  • 魔鬼阿諾
  • バトルランナー
  • Bėgantis žmogus
  • Muž na úteku
  • La Carrera Mortal: El sobreviviente
  • Denar ali krogla
  • Trkač
  • Trốn Chạy Tử Thần
  • คนเหล็กท้าชนนรก

Seen The Running Man?

FAQ

The Running Man FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it, awards and post-credit scenes of The Running Man, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Running Man?

The Running Man runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was The Running Man released?

The Running Man was released on November 13, 1987.

Who is in the cast of The Running Man?

The Running Man stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Conchita Alonso.

How much did The Running Man make at the box office?

The Running Man grossed $38.1 million worldwide on a budget of $27 million.

How is The Running Man rated?

The Running Man has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 45 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Is The Running Man based on a book?

Yes. The Running Man is partly adapted from The Running Man by Stephen King.

Was The Running Man nominated for any awards?

The Running Man received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does The Running Man have a post-credit scene?

Yes. The Running Man has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app