The Running Man *** (1987, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Conchita Alonso, Yaphet Kotto, Jim Brown) – Classic Movie Review 6,249

Can you believe that 13 November 2025 is already the 38th anniversary of the 1980s iconic sci-fi and fantasy film The Running Man with Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987).

Can you believe that 13 November 2017 is already the 30th anniversary of the 1980s iconic sci-fi and fantasy film The Running Man?

Stephen King’s 1982 novel provides director Paul Michael Glaser with the basis for his efficient if uninspired 1987 sci-fi action thriller movie vehicle for Arnold Schwarzenegger as a framed convicted killer who becomes one of the contestants in a sick and sadistic television game show. The Running Man, hosted by Damon Killian (Richard Dawson), is the most popular show on TV.

The wrongly convicted Ben Richards (Schwarzenegger) is pursued by trained hitmen across a devastated Los Angeles in the year 2019 as he tries to survive the TV show’s public execution gauntlet. This is a Most Dangerous Game that nobody is expected to survive, but of course Schwarzenegger has yet to play, and he seems like the ultimate survivor.

As adapted in the screenplay by Steven E de Souza, Stephen King’s novel (writing under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman), with its echoes of The Most Dangerous Game, provides an effective framework for Schwarzenegger’s usual, familiar tough-guy act, which he gives a good workout.

And director Glaser expertly orchestrates the 1987 state-of-the-art special effects, nasty violence and unpleasant humour. It also stars Maria Conchita Alonso as Amber Mendez, Yaphet Kotto as William Laughlin, and Jim Brown as Fireball.

Also in the cast are Jesse Ventura, Erland Van Lidth, Marvin J McIntyre, Mick Fleetwood, Dweezil Zappa, Gus Rethwisch, Professor Toru Tanaka, Karen Leigh Hopkins, Sven-Ole Thorsen and Edward [Eddie] Bunker.

It grossed $38,122,105 in North America against its $27 million budget.

The Running Man is directed by Paul Michael Glaser, runs 101 minutes, is made by Braveworld Productions, Taft Entertainment Pictures and Keith Barish Productions, is released by Tri-Star Pictures, is written by Steven E de Souza, based on the novel by Stephen King (as Richard Bachman), is shot by Thomas Del Ruth, is produced by Tim Zinnemann and George Linder, is scored by Harold Faltermeyer, and is set designed by Jack T Collis.

Its release was moved from July 1987 to 13 November 1987 to avoid competition with Schwarzenegger’s other summer film, Predator (1987). The move to Thanksgiving 1987 followed the producers’ idea for it to be the only action thriller released during the holiday season. 

A remake of The Running Man, directed by Edgar Wright and starring Glen Powell, premiered in London on 5 November 2025, and was released on 12 November 2025 (UK) and on 14 November 2025 (US).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6,249

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