Stephen King’s The Running Man Remake Is Still a Streaming Hit

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Edgar Wright’s recent film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel didn’t perform well in theaters when it first came out in late 2025. However, it’s become much more popular on streaming services, consistently ranking among the most-watched titles.

I’m so excited to see The Running Man doing so well! It’s currently number two on Paramount+’s Top 10 list, right behind Scary Movie. Those two have been neck and neck for the top spot lately. I think Scary Movie‘s popularity is because everyone’s hyped about the trailer for the new sixth movie. And it’s awesome that Scary Movie 3 is also in the Top 10, holding down the number 10 position!

The Running Man Isn’t Slowing Down on Streaming

Originally released in theaters on November 14, 2025, The Running Man didn’t perform as well as Paramount+ hoped. While the studio expected an opening weekend of around $25 million, the film only made $16.5 million. Ultimately, it earned less than $69 million worldwide, despite costing $110 million to produce. However, the film found a new home on Paramount+ starting January 13th and has been popular ever since.

When The Running Man was first released, critics had a mixed reaction, giving it a 62% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences seemed to enjoy it more, with a 78% score on the Popcornmeter. Interestingly, Stephen King, the author of the original story, gave his approval to both the script and the changes made when adapting it for the screen, and also supported the idea of a remake.

Congressman King praised the movie, calling it a modern take on Die Hard and describing it as a thrilling film that appeals to everyone, regardless of political affiliation. He shared his thoughts in a post on X.

The Running Man Isn’t a Direct Remake of the 1987 Film

This new movie is the second time the story of The Running Man has been adapted for the big screen. The original, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, came out in 1987 and was directed by Paul Michael Glaser. This 2025 version, directed by Edgar Wright, makes a key change: instead of taking place within a TV studio, the main character, Ben Richards (played by Glen Powell), is hunted by killers in the real world. He’s a contestant in a dangerous reality show where surviving for 30 days means winning a massive cash prize.

When I started working on The Running Man, I knew I didn’t want to just copy the 1987 film. Test screenings showed a lot of people hadn’t even seen the original, or read the book it was based on, so I felt there was room to do something fresh. Honestly, I wasn’t interested in a straight remake – unless there’s something more to explore in the source material, what’s the point? I never intended to do a scene-by-scene recreation; I wanted to bring something new to the story.

Stephen King’s The Running Man, directed by Dale Bradner, features a talented cast including Josh Brolin (known for Avengers: Endgame), Colman Domingo (Fear the Walking Dead), Lee Pace (Halt and Catch Fire), Michael Cera (Barbie), William H. Macy (Shameless), and Katy O’Brian (The Mandalorian).

The Running Man is streaming on Paramount+.

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2026-03-08 06:07