Glen Powell’s 2025 Box Office Flop Tops U.S. Streaming Charts
Glen Powell’s latest film, a remake of The Running Man, debuted in 2025, creating considerable buzz in the film industry. Directed by Edgar Wright and adapted from Stephen King’s 1982 novel, this film combined Powell’s rising star power with Wright’s genre expertise.
The Running Man’s Box Office Performance
Despite having all the elements of a successful mid-budget film, The Running Man struggled at the box office. It grossed just over $68 million against a formidable production budget of $110 million. This result was below expectations, even though the film received generally favorable reviews and resonated well with genre enthusiasts.
Streaming Success
Released on Paramount+ on January 13, 2025, The Running Man remake quickly climbed to the top of the streaming charts. This illustrates the film’s potential audience, which expanded significantly beyond its theatrical release.
Challenges Faced by the Film
The film encountered various challenges that contributed to its box office disappointment. Paramount’s marketing strategy failed to define the film’s genre clearly. This uncertainty likely deterred casual viewers who weren’t familiar with the original novel.
Moreover, The Running Man’s branding was complicated by the legacy of the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film. Younger audiences did not have a strong connection to either iteration, while older viewers found it challenging to adjust their expectations.
- Lack of clarity in marketing.
- Franchise recognition issues.
- Delays in audience anticipation leading to a preference for streaming.
Why It’s Worth Watching
Despite its box office challenges, Glen Powell’s performance as Ben Richards stands out. He presents a grounded character filled with relatable desperation, diverging from the bravado often seen in action heroes. Edgar Wright’s take on the material emphasizes critical themes such as media critique and societal satire, offering a more thoughtful perspective than its predecessor.
Stephen King’s Approval
The film’s reworked ending received personal approval from Stephen King, who appreciated Wright’s modernization of his original story, particularly in a post-9/11 context.
Future Projects for Glen Powell
Following The Running Man, Glen Powell is set to appear in several ambitious projects. He will star in The Great Beyond alongside Jenna Ortega, directed by J.J. Abrams, scheduled for release in November 2026.
Additionally, Powell will headline Tesseract, a film from Sam Esmail. He is also expected to return for Season 2 of Chad Powers, though details on the release date remain scarce.
Conclusion
Overall, The Running Man remake demonstrates how streaming can provide a second life for films that underperform in theaters. Its distinct vision and the performances it showcases make it a noteworthy entry in the action genre.
