The Running Man (1987): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 41m (101 min)
- Original language
-
Italian
- Studio
- TriStar Pictures
- Budget
- $27M
- Based on
- The Running Man by Stephen King
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
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 Show fewer
- 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
The Running Man Cast
Arnold Schwarzenegger leads the cast, with Maria Conchita Alonso.
The Running Man Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Running Man 45 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.
-
IMDb 6.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 45 Metascore
User score 7.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$38.1M
1.4× its budget
- US & Canada
- $38.1M
- Budget
- $27M
The Running Man Awards & Nominations
The Running Man earned 1 award nomination, including Best Costumes at the Saturn Awards 1988.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Saturn Awards 1988 1 nomination- Nominated Best Costumes
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What year is the dystopian setting of 'The Running Man'?
Cars in The Running Man
8 cars on screen, including the Honda XR 600 RFVC and the unknown.
-
Honda XR 600 RFVC Important role -
unknown Important role -
BMW K 75 Minor role -
1969 Dodge D-600 Minor role
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 Show fewer
- 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?
Movies Like The Running Man
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Running Man, Death Race and The Runner.
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.
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