Paramount’s ‘The Running Man’ Defies Second-Week Drop Models Despite ‘Wicked’ Surge

Paramount Pictures is reporting a statistical anomaly for its dystopian thriller ‘The Running Man’ as the film enters its second weekend of release alongside the massive debut of ‘Wicked: For Good’. While exhibition models predicted a standard 55% to 60% drop for the R-rated sci-fi satire, Friday midday returns indicate the film is holding with a decline of only 32% from its November 14 opening. The Edgar Wright-directed adaptation has now crossed the $75 million mark domestically, driven largely by repeat viewings among the 18-34 male demographic that has proven elusive for the musical competition.

The box office resilience is being attributed to the film’s “B+” CinemaScore and a viral word-of-mouth campaign centered on the practical stunt work performed by lead actor Glen Powell. Social media engagement regarding the film’s climactic “Gauntlet” sequence has spiked 200% since Monday, outpacing the digital conversation for competing action titles. Theater owners in key markets like Los Angeles and Chicago have responded by retaining ‘The Running Man’ in auxiliary large-format auditoriums, even as they dedicate their primary PLF screens to Universal’s Oz-set blockbuster.

Paramount’s distribution strategy, which positioned the film as gritty counter-programming to the holiday season’s family-friendly slate, appears to have tapped into an underserved audience segment. “We are seeing a clear bifurcation in the marketplace,” stated Exhibitor Relations analyst Jeff Bock. “While ‘Wicked’ is selling out matinees and early evening shows, ‘The Running Man’ is dominating the post-8 PM slot, effectively allowing theaters to maximize seat occupancy across the entire operational day.”

The film’s performance is also benefiting from a rare public endorsement by author Stephen King, who praised the adaptation earlier this week for its fidelity to his original 1982 novel. King’s comments specifically highlighted the performance of Josh Brolin as the antagonist Dan Killian, calling it “the most chilling representation of corporate media since ‘Network’.” Paramount confirmed today that it will expand the film’s marketing spend into next week, targeting NFL broadcasts on Thanksgiving Day to sustain momentum into the holiday corridor.