- Netflix is set to remove the 1987 cult classic The Running Man on November 1, 2025.
- The timing is frustrating for fans, as it occurs just days before Edgar Wright’s highly-anticipated remake hits theaters.
- The new film, starring Glen Powell, promises a darker, more faithful adaptation of Stephen King’s original novel.
- While leaving Netflix, the original film will still be available on other platforms, but time is running out for subscribers.
A Countdown for a Cult Classic
In a move causing a stir among Stephen King enthusiasts, Netflix has scheduled the removal of the 1987 dystopian action film, The Running Man, for November 1, 2025. This decision has sparked frustration, as the film’s departure is timed just before director Edgar Wright’s much-discussed remake is set to premiere, leaving fans with a shrinking window to compare the original with the new vision.
From Page to Action Spectacle
Originally a bleak novel by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman), The Running Man depicted a totalitarian America where desperate citizens compete in a deadly reality TV show. The 1987 film adaptation, directed by Paul Michael Glaser, pivoted from the novel’s grim social commentary to high-octane spectacle. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Ben Richards, a man framed for a crime and forced to fight for his life on television, the movie became a quintessential ’80s action flick.
Though it met with a lukewarm reception at the box office, grossing just over $38 million on a $27 million budget, the film’s unique blend of dark humor, prescient themes, and over-the-top violence helped it achieve cult classic status over the decades. Its depiction of a society obsessed with televised brutality feels more relevant than ever in today’s media landscape.
A New Vision Emerges as the Original Vanishes
The timing of Netflix’s decision is particularly pointed with Edgar Wright’s remake on the horizon. Scheduled for a November 2025 release, the new film stars Glen Powell as Ben Richards and is expected to hew closer to the source material’s darker tone. Powell’s character is driven to the deadly game to afford medicine for his family, restoring the desperate, everyman quality of King’s protagonist.
The remake boasts a star-studded cast, including Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Michael Cera, and William H. Macy, signaling a high-profile return to King’s dystopian world. Wright, known for his distinct directorial style, co-wrote the script, leading many to believe this adaptation will capture the biting social critique that defined the novel.
Where to Watch Before It’s Too Late
For fans scrambling to catch the original before it disappears from Netflix, the clock is ticking. The film is also slated to leave AMC+ on the same day. However, all is not lost. The Running Man will remain available for streaming on Paramount+ and BBC America. For those without these services, the movie can be rented on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon, and Fandango At Home.
The impending removal serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of streaming libraries. As the countdown begins, fans face a choice: revisit Schwarzenegger’s iconic run one last time on Netflix, or wait to see how a new generation reinterprets the deadly game.