The Running Man, Edgar Wright’s newest adaptation of Stephen King‘s work, has achieved a Stephen King box office milestone, surpassing $30 million worldwide in its opening stretch. Glen Powell leads the cast in this reimagining of King’s 1982 novel, and the film’s debut weekend placed it second domestically with $16.5 million in earnings, sharing the spotlight with Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.
Impressive Debut Places The Running Man Among Select Stephen King Films
According to figures from The Numbers, by its fifth day in theaters, The Running Man tallied $19.4 million from U.S. audiences and $11 million from international markets. This combined $30.4 million global haul marks it as only the 22nd Stephen King-based film to clear that number since nearly 50 of his adaptations have reached cinemas.
Despite this performance, the movie faces the challenge of meeting its reported budget of $110 million. Big studio releases often aim to earn two and a half times their production costs, setting The Running Man’s estimated break-even target near $275 million. Though reaching this point is uncertain, the early momentum suggests the movie is on a promising path among King adaptations.
Financial Prospects Beyond the Theater
The Running Man’s prospects are not confined to box office receipts alone. The movie is set to earn further revenue as it transitions to streaming services, video on demand, television, and physical releases. These additional revenue streams often help films continue their climb toward profitability, even if theater receipts fall short.
The Running Man Stands Out in a Crowded Year for Stephen King Films
In 2025, The Running Man is one of four adaptations from Stephen King’s catalog to enter theaters, following The Monkey, The Life of Chuck, and The Long Walk. While it has so far only outpaced The Life of Chuck’s $11.4 million global earnings, The Running Man is closing the gap on the other recent adaptations. The Monkey earned $68.9 million globally, starting off with a $16.5 million domestic debut, slightly below The Running Man’s domestic start, while The Long Walk began its run with $14.4 million domestically and has since grossed $62.2 million worldwide.
If The Running Man maintains its current performance, estimates indicate it could secure as much as $84 million globally by the time its theatrical run concludes. This would make it the eighth highest-grossing Stephen King movie to date, ranking just behind major adaptations such as Secret Window, 2019’s Pet Sematary, The Dark Tower, 1408, The Green Mile, It: Chapter 2, and It.
What Lies Ahead for The Running Man and Its Legacy
The Running Man’s early achievements place it in a select club of Stephen King movies that have attained significant box office earnings. Its performance marks a major step for Edgar Wright, actor Glen Powell, and the broader team tasked with adapting King’s work for new audiences. Although reaching profitability remains a considerable challenge given the film’s budget, upcoming revenue from streaming, television, and physical sales may help tip the scales.
This trend also demonstrates the enduring appeal of Stephen King’s stories, as several adaptations continue to draw audiences to theaters worldwide. As The Running Man continues its run, both industry observers and King’s fans will be watching closely to see how high it climbs in the ranks of the most successful films based on his works.
