The Running Man is Leaving Netflix

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The popular author is known for many successful books that have been turned into movies, like *The Shawshank Redemption* and *It*. One of his lesser-known movie adaptations is about to disappear from streaming services just before a new version is released.

According to What’s on Netflix, the sci-fi thriller *The Running Man* will be available on November 1st. Set in a dystopian 2019 America, the film centers around a deadly game show where prisoners run for their lives to earn freedom. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Ben Richards, an inmate who gets a chance at freedom by competing on the show. However, the show’s host, Damon Killian – played by the late Richard Dawson, known for hosting *Family Feud* – has no intention of letting him win.

The movie *The Running Man* is inspired by Stephen King’s 1982 novel of the same name, which he originally published under the name Richard Bachman. When released in 1987, the film grossed $38.1 million with a production budget of $27 million. Currently, it holds a 65% approval rating from critics and a 61% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Paul Michael Glaser directed the film, and Steven E. de Souza wrote the screenplay.

The Running Man Reboot Features an All-Star Cast

Just weeks before the new film version arrives in theaters, Netflix is taking down the original *The Running Man*. This reboot is directed and co-written by Edgar Wright, along with Michael Bacall, and features a cast including Emilia Jones, Katy O’Brian, Josh Brolin, William H. Macy, Colman Domingo, Michael Cera, David Zayas, and Sean Hayes.

Stephen King shared his enthusiastic review of the new film *The Running Man* on X (formerly Twitter), calling it “fantastic” and comparing it to *Die Hard* for modern audiences. He described it as a thrilling movie that everyone can enjoy.

Wright described the book as a thrilling survival story, comparing it to a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek where the protagonist, Ben Richards, is completely on his own. He explained that the narrative feels like a fast-paced and dangerous road movie, with Ben constantly on the move, encountering new people and challenges as he attempts to survive for a month in the wilderness.

The 1987 film *The Running Man* will no longer be available on Netflix after November 1st. Meanwhile, a new version of *The Running Man*, directed by Edgar Wright, will be released in movie theaters on November 14th.

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2025-10-16 16:07