The Stephen King Running Man remake, starring Glen Powell and directed by Edgar Wright, achieved a notable milestone during its opening weekend in theaters. Premiering across domestic and international markets, the film quickly surpassed the original Dune movie by David Lynch in global box office gross, highlighting its presence amid mixed reviews and tough competition in the sci-fi film space.
New Adaptation Surges Past 1984’s Dune and Tron
During its first weekend, The Running Man remake earned $17 million domestically and $11.1 million overseas, bringing its worldwide box office total to $28.1 million. While these numbers fall well short of recouping its $100 million production budget, the film has already overtaken the box office earnings of the original Dune (1984), which earned $28 million, mostly from the U.S. market. Additionally, it outperformed the original Tron movie, marking another milestone while Disney’s Tron: Ares faces difficulties at the box office.
The Running Man’s rapid progress positions it within reach of surpassing this year’s Borderlands, which has posted a disappointing $32 million globally against a budget of $115 million. Looking ahead, the 2025 remake may soon eclipse the original Arnold Schwarzenegger film from 1987, which ultimately grossed $38 million worldwide. Glen Powell’s version draws closely from the Stephen King novel, aiming to find a new audience in both longtime and new fans.
Star-Studded Cast and Filmmaker Connections
One surprise regarding the modest opening for The Running Man is its impressive ensemble. Glen Powell leads as Ben Richards, with Lee Pace portraying Evan McCone, Katy O’Brian as Jenni Laughlin, Josh Brolin as Dan Killian, Colman Domingo as Bobby T, and William H. Macy as Molie rounding out the principal cast. The project was both written and directed by Edgar Wright, whose previous work has garnered critical praise. However, some fans have questioned whether Wright’s latest effort meets expectations, challenging his reputation as a filmmaker.
Audience and Critical Reception Reveal Mixed Feelings
Initial reception to the Stephen King Running Man remake has been polarized. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics are currently scoring it at 65 percent, while audience ratings are higher at 79 percent. This positions the film above the threshold to be considered “Rotten” but just below levels for badges such as Certified Fresh. The largely mixed and divisive reviews reflect intense debate among both critics and viewers, suggesting the film’s long-term performance at the box office could be uncertain.
Fans of the original Arnold Schwarzenegger interpretation, as well as those who appreciate action and sci-fi cinema, may find much to enjoy here, even amid the divided response. As the film continues in theaters, further updates on its box office results and broader impact are expected, especially with such a notable cast featuring Katy O’Brian, Colman Domingo, Arnold Schwarzenegger, William H. Macy, and others contributing to the project’s ongoing publicity and discussion within the industry.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the Stephen King Running Man remake can maintain momentum and reach beyond its strong yet conflicted start.
