Glen Powell will test his star power this weekend in The Running Man. Projections for the box office during the opening weekend are concerning for a blockbuster.
What is The Running Man about?
Powell is ready to be an action star in The Running Man, based on Stephen King’s 1982 novel.
In a dystopian future, the most popular television show is The Running Man, a competition show where contestants (“runners”) try to survive for 30 days while being hunted by assassins (“hunters”). Survive the 30 days and win $1 billion.
However, the odds heavily favor the hunters, making it nearly impossible for a runner to win.
Ben Richards (Powell) is desperate for money to save his sick daughter. With no other options, Ben reluctantly joins The Running Man as a runner.
What the show didn’t plan was Ben becoming a fan favorite, so much so that he threatens the entire operation.
Besides Powell, The Running Man stars William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Sean Hayes, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin.
Edgar Wright directs The Running Man, based on a screenplay he co-wrote with Michael Bacall.
Wright’s movie is the second feature film adaptation of The Running Man. In 1987, Arnold Schwarzenegger played Ben Richards in Paul Michael Glaser’s The Running Man. Despite being based on the novel, Glaser’s Running Man made several changes to make it more of an action movie geared toward Schwarzenegger.
Paramount Pictures will release The Running Man on November 14, 2025.
The Running Man Opening Weekend Box Office Odds
| The Running Man — Opening Weekend Box Office | Odds |
|---|---|
| Less than $21 million | -1011 |
| $21 million to $24 million | +1150 |
| $24 million to $27 million | +4900 |
| Over $27 million | +3233 |
Odds via Polymarket on 11/12/25
There is a cause for concern leading up to the release.
Weeks ago, The Running Man was tracking toward an opening weekend of around $25 million.
Projections are starting to go in the other direction.
First, the reviews have been mixed. The Running Man holds a 63% on Rotten Tomatoes. Many critics have praised Powell and the movie’s commitment to honoring the novel.
However, Wright’s direction and the 133-minute runtime have been criticized.
Taking that into consideration, Polymarket projects The Running Man to open south of $21 million.
The Running Man also faces competition from Now You See Me: Now You Don’t and the second weekend of Predator: Badlands. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t should open to $20 million.
After overperforming in the first weekend, Predator: Badlands could have a strong second weekend. Even if the movie only drops 50%, that still means a $20 million weekend.
Update: The Running Man opened to less than $17 million.
