Stephen King’s The Running Man Finds Success on Digital After Box Office Failure

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Stephen King fans had mixed opinions about Edgar Wright’s new version of The Running Man. While the movie did not perform well in cinemas, it has now found success on digital platforms. After its release on VOD earlier this week, the film quickly reached the number one spot on the iTunes chart.

The movie stars Glen Powell and is a dark, dystopian action thriller. It may not be a holiday-style movie like Die Hard, but many viewers are now watching it at home. On iTunes, it beat other new releases such as Now You See Me: Now You Don’t and One Battle After Another.

The Running Man was released in theaters in mid-November. Before its release, it gained a lot of attention and even received praise from Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred in the original 1987 version. Critics, however, gave it a mixed response, with a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences liked it more, giving it a 79% score, which is higher than the original movie.

Despite this, the film struggled at the box office. It earned $69 million worldwide, which was not enough to cover its $110 million budget, making it a financial flop.

Stephen King’s The Running Man Finds Success on Digital After Box Office Failure

Movie Story Overview

The movie is a more faithful adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, written under the name Richard Bachman. The story is set in a near-future world where a deadly TV show called The Running Man is the most popular program.

Contestants, known as “Runners,” must survive for 30 days while being hunted by professional killers. Everything is broadcast live to the public. Ben Richards (Glen Powell) joins the show to save his sick daughter. As he fights to survive, he becomes a fan favorite and a danger to the powerful system behind the show.

2025 Has Been a Great Year for Stephen King Fans

Hollywood has been very successful recently with Stephen King adaptations, and 2025 has been an especially strong year.

Earlier in the year, Osgood Perkins released The Monkey, a violent and darkly funny film. Mike Flanagan, a frequent King collaborator, released The Life of Chuck, starring Tom Hiddleston, which many fans called one of the best Stephen King movies ever.

Later in the year, The Long Walk, another story from King’s Bachman Books, was also released and received high praise. On TV, IT: Welcome to Derry became a big hit on HBO Max, attracting a huge audience during its first season.

With Flanagan’s upcoming series based on Carrie planned for 2026, and many more adaptations in development, Stephen King fans have a lot to look forward to. This success proves once again why Stephen King is considered one of the greatest storytellers of his generation.

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