Where to Watch The Running Man (1987) in the US

What it's about

In the year 2019, the world economy has collapsed. The great freedoms of the United States are no longer, as the once great nation has sealed off its borders and become a militarized police state, censoring all film, art, literature, and communications. Even so, a small resistance force led by two revolutionaries manages to fight the oppression. With full control over the media, the government attempts to quell the nation's yearning for freedom by broadcasting a number of game shows on which convicted criminals fight for their lives. The most popular and sadistic of these programs is "The Running Man," hosted by Damon Killian. When a peaceful protest of starving citizens gathers in Bakersfield, California, a police officer named Ben Richards is ordered to fire on the crowd, which he refuses to do. Subdued by the other officers, the attack is carried out, and Richards is framed for the murder of almost a hundred unarmed civilians. Following a daring jail break months later, Richards is captured once again and forced to appear on "The Running Man" with three other convicts. With their help, he fights his way through a cadre of sadistic gladiators hunting them down through the ruins of a Los Angeles earthquake, but promising Killian that he'll return to settle the score when the show's host double-crosses him. In the meantime, the contestants must search through the ruins for the resistance in the hopes of finally broadcasting the truth about the government.

Cast and crew

Director

Paul Michael Glaser

Writer

Stephen King, Steven E. de Souza

Starring

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Conchita Alonso, Yaphet Kotto

Details

Release date

Nov 13, 1987

Language

English, Italian, Japanese

Country

United States

Box office

$38,122,105

Awards

1 win & 3 nominations total

Where to Watch The Running Man (1987) in the US — common questions

Where to watch The Running Man in the United States?

The Running Man is available with a subscription, free with ads, free with a participating library card, or to rent in the United States. Watch the movie with a subscription on fuboTV (HD), Paramount+ (4K), Starz (HD), and YouTube TV (4K). Watch the movie free with ads on YouTube (HD). Watch the movie free with a participating library card on hoopla. Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.

Can I stream The Running Man or do I have to rent it in the United States?

Watch the movie with a subscription on fuboTV (HD), Paramount+ (4K), Starz (HD), and YouTube TV (4K). Rent the movie on Apple TV Store, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.

Can I watch The Running Man for free in the United States?

Watch the movie free with ads on YouTube (HD). Watch the movie free with a participating library card on hoopla.