The Running Man Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Continues A Strong Stephen King Streak

Okay, so people are finally reacting to Edgar Wright’s take on The Running Man, and honestly, the buzz is interesting. As someone who loves Wright’s work – Hot Fuzz and Baby Driver are brilliant – I was curious to see how he’d tackle Stephen King’s (or should I say, Richard Bachman’s) 1982 novel. It’s a story we’ve seen adapted before, of course, with the classic Arnold Schwarzenegger film from 1987, but this is a whole new take.

Although reviews from critics are mixed to positive, audiences seem to really like the new version of The Running Man. As of now, Rotten Tomatoes shows an 80% audience score based on over 250 verified reviews, compared to a 64% score from critics. If these numbers hold, the 2025 film will be a significant step up from the 1987 original, which received a 59% critical score and a 61% audience score.

Stephen King Adaptations Released In 2025 Rotten Tomatoes’ Critical Score Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score
The Monkey 77% 55%
The Life Of Chuck 80% 88%
The Long Walk 88% 85%
The Institute 64% 71%
IT: Welcome To Derry 78% 80%
The Running Man 64% 80%

2025 has been a great year for adaptations of Stephen King’s work, and that success is continuing with most of the new movies and shows being well-received by audiences. The only exception was Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey, which scored a 55% audience approval rating, despite positive reviews from critics (77%).

Despite positive reviews, The Running Man might struggle at the box office. Current estimates suggest it will earn between $17 and $19 million domestically during its opening weekend. This is concerning, considering the film reportedly cost $110 million to make.

Edgar Wright’s new action film centers on Ben Richards, played by Glen Powell, who enters a dangerous, month-long game to win a billion dollars and support his family, including his ailing child. He must evade hunters for 30 days to claim the prize. This version of The Running Man stays much closer to the original novel than the 1987 film, and the changes to the ending were even approved by the book’s author.

Although reviews were somewhat divided, Stephen King and Arnold Schwarzenegger both praised the adaptation. King described it as a thrilling story that appealed to everyone and likened it to a modern take on Die Hard. Schwarzenegger told the filmmakers that The Running Man was the only film he’d ever wanted to remake, and he felt this new version surpassed even his expectations. He was particularly impressed with the action sequences, calling them both incredible and inventive.

The Running Man is now playing in theaters.

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2025-11-16 00:04