If you missed Glen Powell‘s latest movie in theaters, you can now watch it from your couch. The Running Man, a new adaptation of Stephen King‘s novel, started streaming on Paramount+ on January 13, 2026. The movie hit the streaming service just two months after it premiered in cinemas in November 2025.
The move to streaming gives the film a major new audience. Despite having a famous director in Edgar Wright and a popular star in Powell, the movie did not meet financial expectations during its theater run. It earned about $68.6 million globally, which was below its $110 million production budget. However, its arrival on Paramount+ has been a success. On its first day available, it quickly became the number one movie on the platform in the United States.
What Is The Running Man About?
The film is a sci-fi action thriller set in a future where the economy has collapsed and a powerful corporation called The Network controls both the government and all media. Glen Powell plays Ben Richards, a working-class father who is struggling to afford medicine for his sick daughter.
Desperate for money, Ben makes a dangerous choice. He signs up for the country’s most popular and brutal game show: The Running Man. The rules are simple but deadly. Contestants, known as “Runners,” must try to survive for 30 days while being hunted by professional killers called “Hunters”. If a Runner survives the full month, they win a billion-dollar prize. Even if they are killed, their family receives a smaller payout.
The movie follows Ben as he uses his wits and determination to stay alive, all while becoming an unexpected hero to the public. His growing popularity starts to threaten the very system that created the violent game.
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
The movie features a large and well-known cast beyond its leading man. The ensemble includes:
- Josh Brolin as Dan Killian, the head of The Network.
- Colman Domingo as Bobby T., the charismatic and ruthless host of The Running Man game show.
- Lee Pace as the masked head Hunter, Evan McCone.
- William H. Macy and Michael Cera as members of an underground resistance who help Ben.
- Emilia Jones, Jayme Lawson, and Katy O’Brian in other key roles.
The film was directed by Edgar Wright, known for movies like Baby Driver and Shaun of the Dead. Wright also co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Bacall. This new version is said to follow Stephen King’s original 1982 book more closely than the famous 1987 film adaptation that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. The earlier movie was more of an over-the-top action film, while this remake tries to blend its thrilling scenes with sharper social commentary about class, media, and power.
How Critics and Audiences Responded
The critical reception for The Running Man was mixed. On the review site Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 63% score from professional critics. This indicates a divided opinion, where some enjoyed it and others did not.
Many reviews praised the film’s fast-paced action and energy. Kate Stables from Sight & Sound called it “a highly enjoyable thrill-ride for a good stretch of time”. Others, however, felt it did not reach the creative heights of director Edgar Wright’s best work. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the film “ends up feeling hollow” and that it has a “lumbering” pace despite all its action.
Audience scores were more positive. The movie holds a 78% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting that many regular viewers found it to be a fun and exciting watch. This split between critics and fans is a big reason why its strong performance on Paramount+ is not a complete surpriseโviewers at home are now getting to judge it for themselves.
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Where to Watch The Running Man
For most viewers, the easiest way to watch is with a subscription to Paramount+. The movie is available on both the essential and premium tiers of the service in the United States. It is also available to stream through Paramount+ channels on Amazon Prime Video and The Roku Channel.
If you do not have a Paramount+ subscription, you can still rent or buy the movie digitally. It is available for rental or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Rental prices typically start around $14.99.
The 1987 original film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is also available to stream. Interestingly, it is currently on MGM+, which is a different service from Paramount+. This gives fans a chance to compare the two very different takes on the same Stephen King story.
The release of The Running Man on Paramount+ is part of a small trend for early 2026. Another recent Stephen King adaptation, The Long Walk, just premiered on the Starz streaming service. This means fans of the author’s darker, dystopian stories have multiple new options to watch this month.
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