The Running Man hits theaters Nov. 14, 2025 - Edgar Wright aims sharp, Glen Powell brings heat
Circle the date. The Running Man is set to explode into theaters on Nov. 14, 2025, and it looks like a pulse-check moment for action fans and box office watchers alike.
Director Edgar Wright (movies and tv series) is steering this one - which instantly tells you two things: it'll move fast, and it'll have a point of view. And yes, Glen Powell (movies and tv series) is front and center, continuing a streak that's turned him from "that guy in Top Gun" into a legit draw.
Why this matters
Stephen King (movies and tv series)'s The Running Man isn't just chase scenes and explosions. It's a tough, satirical story about spectacle, desperation, and what people will watch - and do - when the stakes feel life-or-death. That edge is exactly the kind of material Wright likes to sharpen.
For theaters, the mid-November slot is a statement. It plants a flag two weeks before Thanksgiving, where word-of-mouth can build. If this lands, it could own that pre-holiday corridor.
So what version are we getting?
Quick refresher: King wrote the novel under his Richard Bachman pen name. It follows a man forced to outwit a nationwide manhunt broadcast as entertainment. The 1987 movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger (movies and tv series) amped up the one (movies and tv series)-liners and neon gladiators. Fun, but different.
Wright has previously indicated he wants to hew closer to King's book than the '87 film did, which suggests a meaner, leaner take with teeth. That tracks with his instincts - precision cutting, momentum, and a little sting in the tail. If you've seen Baby Driver, you know he can stage pursuit like few others. And Powell? He's riding momentum from Top Gun: Maverick, Twisters, and Hit Man. He's ready to run.
For background on Wright's attachment and that "closer to the book" aim, see early trade reporting from Variety.
Release timing, at a glance
Nov. 14, 2025 is a Friday, tucked right before the holiday rush. Expect marketing to lean into the big-screen promise - scale, sound, and that tight, claustrophobic chase energy you can feel in a crowded auditorium. Maybe it's just timing, but a sharp piece of social satire landing right before the biggest consumer weekend of the year? That's going to spark conversation.
What we know
- Date: Nov. 14, 2025 (wide theatrical)
- Director: Edgar Wright
- Lead: Glen Powell
- Source: Stephen King's dystopian thriller (Richard Bachman)
- Tone: High-intensity action with dark satire baked in
What we don't know yet
- Full supporting cast and key crew (composer, cinematographer)
- Rating and runtime
- Trailer timing and exact plot shape (how close to the book vs. fresh angles)
Look, if Wright sticks the landing - giving us a chase movie with a conscience - this could be the rare studio thriller that plays to both action diehards and folks who want something to chew on after the credits. We'll keep an eye on casting, first footage, and whether the marketing leans gritty or glossy. For now, it's simple: mark the date, and get ready to run.
