The Running Man, Edgar Wright’s new big-screen take on Stephen King’s dystopian thriller, is expected to hit premium video on demand (PVOD) this week—meaning you’ll likely be able to buy or rent it digitally before it lands on any subscription “streaming” service.
According to When to Stream, The Running Man is slated for a Tuesday, Dec. 16 PVOD release. Paramount Pictures hasn’t officially confirmed that date, so it could still shift.
Wright’s film, starring Glen Powell as Ben Richards and Josh Brolin as the show’s producer Dan Killian, opened in theaters on Nov. 14.
What The Running Man is about
King originally published The Running Man in 1982 under his Richard Bachman pseudonym. The story imagines a near-future America where desperate contestants risk their lives for entertainment—and survival is the only prize that matters.
The new film’s official synopsis sets the tone: Ben Richards enters a deadly televised contest where “Runners” must survive for 30 days while being hunted, with each day raising the reward and the danger. As Ben becomes a fan favorite, he also becomes a bigger threat to the system—turning the game into something the people behind the show can’t fully control.
A quick note on the 1987 adaptation
This is the second film adaptation of King’s novel. The first, released in 1987, starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as Ben Richards and featured Richard Dawson as Damon Killian (note: “Damon” in the 1987 film; “Dan” in the new adaptation).
PVOD details: where to watch and what it may cost
If the Dec. 16 PVOD date holds, The Running Man should appear across major digital storefronts such as Apple TV and Prime Video, with other platforms typically following.
Prime Video has already shown a pre-order purchase price of $24.99 (pricing can vary by region and store). Rental pricing hasn’t been officially confirmed ahead of release, so it’s best to treat any rental estimate as just that—an estimate.
Stephen King reportedly signed off on Glen Powell
Powell has also said he had to clear one unusual hurdle before locking in the role: Stephen King’s approval. In a November interview, Powell recalled that Edgar Wright told him King planned to watch Hit Man before deciding—leading Powell to (briefly) prepare himself for either outcome.
What to watch for next
The key detail still missing is Paramount’s official confirmation of the PVOD date. If the studio makes an announcement—or storefront pages update with finalized rental pricing—that’ll be the signal that the release is locked.