The Running Man Gets A Surprising Rotten Tomatoes Score — How It Compares To Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1987 Film

Glen Powell's The Running Man surprises with its early Rotten Tomatoes score when compared to the original 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film

- November 12, 2025 | 5:53 PM IST

The Running Man’s Early Rotten Tomatoes Score Is Out — Glen Powell-Starrer The Running Man Surprises With Early Rotten Tomatoes Score (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The Running Man, the second adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novel of the same name, is all set to be released in U.S. theaters on November 14, 2025. Directed by British filmmaker Edgar Wright, the dystopian action thriller features Glen Powell in the lead role. Ahead of its theatrical release, the film has received a surprising critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. How have critics rated the movie, and how does it stack up against the 1987 version starring Arnold Schwarzenegger? Read on to find out.

The Running Man (2025) – Rotten Tomatoes Score

As of now, The Running Man holds a critics’ score of 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 86 reviews (Source: RT). The number has surprised many, as fans expected a higher rating from an Edgar Wright film, given his impressive track record as a filmmaker.

Despite the mixed reactions, The Running Man (2025) still looks like a must-watch for fans of sci-fi action, Edgar Wright’s direction, and Glen Powell’s screen presence. Audiences will understand the final verdict better once the film is released in theaters later this week.

When @TomCruise says he was at the edge of his seat and ate all the popcorn, you know you’re going to have a thrill ride at the movies. #RunningManMovie pic.twitter.com/Po3XqOhZOt

— The Running Man Movie (@RunningManMovie) November 6, 2025

How It Compares With Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1987 Film

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1987 version of The Running Man holds a 59% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. While the 2025 adaptation currently edges ahead with a higher score, it remains to be seen whether Edgar Wright’s film can maintain this lead as more reviews come in over the coming days.

The Running Man (2025) vs. Edgar Wright Films – Rotten Tomatoes Scores Compared

Here’s how Edgar Wright’s previous films (as a director) have been rated by critics on Rotten Tomatoes:

The Sparks Brothers (2021): 95%
Shaun of the Dead (2004): 92%
Baby Driver (2017): 92%
Hot Fuzz (2007): 91%
The World’s End (2013): 89%
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010): 83%
Last Night in Soho (2021): 75%

Based on these numbers, The Running Man (2025) currently stands as Edgar Wright’s lowest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes, while his highest-rated remains The Sparks Brothers (95%), closely followed by Shaun of the Dead (92%).

What’s The Running Man (2025) All About

Directed by Edgar Wright, the sci-fi action thriller follows a man (Glen Powell) who is forced to participate in a deadly reality TV show called The Running Man. In this brutal game, survival itself becomes entertainment, as contestants must run for their lives while being hunted by professional killers for the amusement of a global audience.