Netflix Pulls The Running Man as Remake Looms

Netflix subscribers hoping to revisit the 1987 cult classic The Running Man will need to act quickly, as the film is scheduled to be removed from the streaming service on November 1, 2025. The departure is timed just ahead of the theatrical release of director Edgar Wright’s highly anticipated remake, set to premiere in mid-November 2025.

The original film, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, was a loose adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novel of the same name, which was published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. While King’s book was a bleak work of social commentary about a man entering a deadly televised game show to win money for his family, the 1987 movie leaned into spectacle and action. In the film, Schwarzenegger’s character, Ben Richards, is a framed police officer forced to compete for his freedom on a brutal reality show in a totalitarian America.

Upon its release, the movie received a mixed reception, earning just over $38 million at the box office on a $27 million budget. However, over the decades, its blend of dystopian themes, dark humor, and 1980s action sensibilities has earned it a dedicated cult following.

The upcoming remake from Edgar Wright aims to be a more faithful adaptation of King’s source material. Starring Glen Powell as Ben Richards, the film is expected to restore the novel’s darker, more desperate tone. The new version will feature a strong supporting cast, including Josh Brolin as the show’s manipulative producer and Colman Domingo as its charismatic host, alongside Lee Pace, Michael Cera, and William H. Macy.

For fans wanting to watch the original before it leaves Netflix, other viewing options will be available. The 1987 film will remain on Paramount+ and BBC America after November 1. It will, however, be leaving AMC+ on the same day as its Netflix exit. The movie is also available for rent on platforms such as Apple TV and Amazon.

The renewed interest in The Running Man comes amid a broader resurgence of Stephen King adaptations. The original film’s satirical vision of a society captivated by televised violence has become increasingly prescient, cementing its relevance ahead of a modern reinterpretation for a new generation.

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