In the year 2017 Ben Richards (Arnold Schwarzenegger) refuses to fire upon civilians during a food riot. Because of this refusal he is turned in to a scapegoat for the many civilians that are killed and is given the nickname 'The Butcher of Bakersfield'. After managing to escape from prison, Richards tries to return to his family, but finds that they have been taken. Unfortunately he is recaptured and forced to participate in a show called 'The Running Man', where he must attempt to survive a gladiator style competition. Several Stalkers are employed by the show to attempt to stop and kill the competitors on the show, which include other men that escaped from prison with Richards. After surviving several of these Stalkers, Richards becomes too popular and they try to buy him off and make him a Stalker, but he refuses. Soon Richards joins a group that is attempting to fight the network that produces the show and they must attempt to bring out the truth in the face of danger to their lives.