Stephen King adaptations at the box office made headlines this weekend as ‘The Running Man,’ directed by Edgar Wright, surpassed the original theatrical earnings of ‘The Shawshank Redemption.’ Released nationwide, the film collected $28.7 million domestically, just edging out the 1994 total of ‘The Shawshank Redemption,’ marking a striking milestone for both Wright and King’s cinematic legacy.
Though anticipated as Wright’s most mainstream venture and made on his largest budget yet—an estimated $110 million—’The Running Man’ nevertheless underperformed in its debut, signaling challenges for big-budget Stephen King adaptations at the box office. The film’s current worldwide tally sits at $50 million, which is still shy of recovering its costs and remains behind other 2025 King-inspired projects such as ‘The Long Walk’ and ‘The Monkey.’
Comparing ‘The Running Man’ and ‘Shawshank Redemption’
While ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ was seen as a disappointment during its initial release three decades ago, earning $28.3 million domestically, its reputation grew exponentially in later years. The film went on to garner seven Oscar nominations and gained a cult following through home media formats, including VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and streaming platforms. Today, it sits atop IMDb’s list of the best 250 films ever, and several re-releases have eventually boosted its worldwide box office past $70 million.
‘The Running Man,’ on the other hand, carries a more complicated legacy. Although it now holds a larger domestic theatrical gross than ‘Shawshank,’ its overall worldwide performance has not yet reached the same heights. As a contemporary Stephen King adaptation, it has proven over $28.7 million in earnings, but whether it will follow ‘Shawshank’ in attaining long-term acclaim or achieve a substantial post-theatrical revival remains to be seen.
A Year Dominated by Stephen King Adaptations
In 2025, Stephen King’s influence at the multiplex has been especially pronounced. Multiple adaptations, including ‘The Long Walk’ and ‘The Monkey,’ joined ‘The Running Man’ at the box office, with both currently outperforming this latest release on the global stage. Edgar Wright, whose previous effort ‘Last Night in Soho‘ also struggled commercially with just over $20 million worldwide against a $43 million budget, made his biggest financial gamble on ‘The Running Man.’ His most successful film, ‘Baby Driver,’ reached nearly $230 million globally following his sudden exit from directing Marvel’s ‘Ant-Man.’
Meanwhile, Stephen King devotees have more to anticipate, as HBO Max is currently airing ‘It: Welcome to Derry,’ a television prequel to King’s acclaimed ‘It’ novels and films. The continued interest in such series underscores the enduring cultural impact of King’s storytelling outside the theater.
Details About ‘The Running Man’ Film and Cast
‘The Running Man’ tells the story of Ben Richards, played by Glen Powell, who must survive as a contestant in a global game show where professional killers track down participants. Josh Brolin appears as Dan Killian, increasing the dramatic momentum of the action-packed adaptation. This release marks the second cinematic version of King’s novel, written under the pen name Richard Bachman, further cementing the author’s significance in contemporary pop culture.
With the competition growing tougher among King’s adaptations, this outcome for ‘The Running Man’ is particularly significant for Edgar Wright. It emphasizes the risk directors and studios face when investing in massive projects based on legacy novels. Fans and industry insiders alike will be watching to see whether this film—like ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ before it—finds a second life and a broader audience beyond the big screen.
