Short Answer

Runner's Rotten Tomatoes score is expected to be above 45; the lead actor's favorable recent critical reception may support this outcome despite the director's predominantly low historical action film scores, with the market pricing this at 92%.

1. Market Behavior & Drivers

The wide price range in this market does not correspond to any reported catalyst for the film 'Runner'. Basic details, including the cast of Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson and a September 2026 release date, are public, but no reviews, production news, or early screening reactions have been released that would justify a significant shift in expected critical reception. The sharp price movements appear to be a function of an illiquid, newly created market, with price discovery occurring on extremely low volume rather than as a response to new information.
The market has since stabilized at 7.0%, near its opening price. The low total volume of 874 contracts traded indicates minimal participation and a lack of conviction behind any price level. The current pricing reflects this absence of new information, with the market remaining dormant far ahead of the film's release.
  • Runner's score appears above 45, likely supported by the lead actor's favorable reception.
  • A score above 85 is unlikely, given director Scott Waugh's low historical film scores.

Who Wins and Why

Outcome Market Model Why
Above 85 7.0% 16.0% The director's historical scores make a Rotten Tomatoes score above 85 for Runner unlikely.
Above 90 25.0% 13.0% The director's historical scores make a Rotten Tomatoes score above 90 for Runner unlikely.
Above 80 9.0% 19.0% The director's historical Rotten Tomatoes scores for action films are predominantly low.
Above 60 41.0% 33.0% The director's historical Rotten Tomatoes scores for action films are predominantly low.
Above 45 92.0% 90.0% The director's historical Rotten Tomatoes scores for action films are predominantly low.

Current Context

The film 'Runner' (2026) is set for a September 2026 domestic release. Directed by Scott Waugh and starring Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson, the action-thriller is scheduled for its United States theatrical release on September 11, 2026 [^][^][^][^][^][^]. Angel Studios is distributing the film, which has sold over 67,000 tickets as of the latest update [^].
Rotten Tomatoes has not yet scored 'Runner' (2026) due to its unreleased status. As of September 1, 2026, the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score for "Runner" (2026) is unavailable because the film has not yet been released [^]. This 2026 production is distinct from the 2013 film "Runner Runner," which holds a 9 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes [^].

2. Price Chart

Historical Price (Probability)

Outcome probability
Date

3. Significant Price Movements

Notable price changes detected in the chart, along with research into what caused each movement.

📈 September 01, 2026: 84.0pp spike

Price increased from 8.0% to 92.0%

Outcome: Above 45

What happened: The primary driver for the 84.0 percentage point spike in the prediction market price cannot be identified from the provided research. On September 1, 2026, neither "Runner" (2026) nor "The Runner" (2026) had been released or reviewed, precluding any actual Rotten Tomatoes score for such a movement to reflect [^][^][^][^][^][^]. There is no evidence in the provided sources of social media activity or news announcements explicitly causing an 84.0pp surge in expectations for an "Above 45" score on that date [^][^][^][^][^][^]. Therefore, social media was not identifiable as a primary driver, as no causal event is present in the research.

4. Market Data

Contract Snapshot

This market resolves YES if the official Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score for the movie 'Runner (2026)' is 45% or higher, and NO if it is below 45%. Resolution depends on the official Tomatometer score displayed on rottentomatoes.com, which is currently "Coming soon." The maximum payout date for this market is September 14, 2026.

Available Contracts

Market options and current pricing

Outcome bucket Yes (price) No (price) Last trade probability
Above 45 $0.89 $0.40 92%
Above 60 $0.88 $0.86 41%
Above 90 $0.26 $0.97 25%
Above 80 $0.77 $0.92 9%
Above 85 $0.74 $0.97 7%
Above 50 $0.88 $0.48 0%
Above 55 $0.90 $0.90 0%
Above 65 $0.90 $0.90 0%
Above 70 $0.90 $0.88 0%
Above 75 $0.90 $0.90 0%

Market Discussion

The action-thriller "Runner," starring Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson, is scheduled for theatrical release on September 11, 2026 [^]. Public discussion presents conflicting information on its Rotten Tomatoes score: while the Tomatometer was not yet available as of September 1, 2026, as the film had not premiered [^], one report indicates it holds a 95% critics' score and 94% audience score based on numerous reviews and ratings [^]. Discussion is also active on platforms like the Hollywood Stock Exchange, analyzing the potential of this Angel Studios-backed film [^].

5. Trader Dashboard

A deterministic, per-market integrity scorecard computed from order-book and price data. Higher is better for Trader Trust, Liquidity, Move Quality and Resolution; higher means more risk for Quote Risk and Avoid Risk.

Above 85PrimaryTrader TrustLiquidityMove Quality79ResolutionQuote RiskAvoid Risk
Move Quality79Confirmedlow confidence
  • Factor
  • Factor
flow_agreement
0.85
move_retained_pct
100
Above 90Trader TrustLiquidityMove Quality55ResolutionQuote RiskAvoid Risk
Move Quality55Mixedmedium confidence
  • Factor
  • Factor
flow_agreement
0.85
move_retained_pct
58

trader_dashboard_lean_v1.14 · computed Sep 1, 2026

6. What is the typical distribution of Rotten Tomatoes scores for action-thrillers released theatrically in the late-summer/early-fall period (August-September) from 2021-2025?

Rotten Tomatoes Score RangeCritically panned to highly favorable [^][^][^][^][^]
Example Low Score30% (Retribution) [^][^][^][^][^]
Example High Score83% (Nobody, Copshop) [^][^][^][^][^]
Action-thrillers show varied Rotten Tomatoes scores in late-summer/early-fall. Theatrical action-thriller releases in August and September from 2021 to 2025 have consistently displayed a wide range of Rotten Tomatoes scores, spanning from critically panned to highly favorable. For instance, films like "Retribution" received a score of 30%, while others such as "Nobody" and "Copshop" achieved significantly higher scores of 83% [^][^][^][^][^].
"Runner" (2026) lacks a score prior to its release. The action-comedy-thriller "Runner" (2026) is slated for wide theatrical release in the United States on September 11, 2026. As of September 1, 2026, the film has not yet been released, and therefore, it currently holds no Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score [^][^][^].

7. How might the timing of the review embargo for 'Runner', relative to its September 11, 2026 release, signal Angel Studios' confidence in the film's quality?

Film Release DateSeptember 11, 2026 [^][^][^][^][^]
Review Embargo DatesNot publicly advertised [^][^][^]
Marketing StrategyCommunity-driven, grassroots model [^][^][^]
Angel Studios does not publicly advertise 'Runner' embargo dates. Specific review embargo dates for the film "Runner" are not publicly advertised in mainstream industry trade publications [^][^][^]. Therefore, the timing of a review embargo relative to its September 11, 2026 release date [^][^][^][^][^] does not traditionally signal Angel Studios' confidence in the film's quality.
Angel Studios employs a unique community-driven marketing model. Rather than relying on traditional Hollywood review-embargo strategies, Angel Studios utilizes a community-driven, grassroots marketing model, leveraging its "Angel Guild" members and a "Pay It Forward" program [^][^][^]. This business model and the studio's track record suggest a strategic focus on direct audience engagement and grassroots momentum as key drivers for box office success, rather than relying on critic sentiment [^][^][^]. This approach aims to mobilize an audience often overlooked by traditional studios [^][^][^].

8. How does the critical performance of Angel Studios' recent releases compare to the average Tomatometer scores for action-thrillers from major distributors (e.g., Paramount, Universal) from 2023-2025?

Sight Tomatometer Score63% [^]
Sketch Tomatometer Score97% [^]
Typical Major Distributor Action-Thriller Score50-70% [^][^][^][^]
Angel Studios' recent films show varied critical reception on Rotten Tomatoes. Angel Studios' recent film releases exhibit diverse critical reception on Rotten Tomatoes. For example, 'Sight' (2024) achieved a Tomatometer score of 63% [^], while 'Sketch' (2025) garnered a significantly higher score of 97% [^]. Another film, 'Runner', has not been released as of September 1, 2026, and its Rotten Tomatoes listing consequently shows 0% due to the absence of reviews [^].
Angel Studios' critical scores compare favorably to major distributor averages. When evaluated against industry benchmarks, these scores reveal interesting patterns. Action-thriller films from major distributors typically receive Tomatometer scores between 50% and 70% for wide releases [^][^][^][^]. While 'Sight' (63%) falls within this expected range [^][^][^][^][^], 'Sketch' (97%) far exceeds it, performing even better than the 80-90% threshold commonly associated with "Certified Fresh" action films [^][^][^][^][^].

9. Is there any available data from test screenings or early industry buzz for 'Runner' (2026) that could serve as a leading indicator for its eventual Tomatometer score?

Tomatometer Score StatusNot available as of September 1, 2026 [^][^]
Early Buzz IndicatorNo quantitative indicators from test screenings or industry buzz [^]
Theatrical Release DateSeptember 11, 2026 [^]
No early indicators currently exist for 'Runner's' potential Tomatometer score. As of September 1, 2026, the film 'Runner' does not yet have an official Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score or any critic reviews listed [^][^]. There is also no publicly available data from test screenings or specific "early industry buzz" that could serve as a quantitative indicator for the film's potential Tomatometer score [^].
Industry coverage for 'Runner' primarily consists of promotional materials. Current industry coverage for 'Runner' has been limited to trailer breakdowns, casting announcements, and general promotional hype from its distributor, Angel Studios [^][^][^][^][^][^]. The film is scheduled for release in theaters on September 11, 2026 [^].

10. What do the historical Rotten Tomatoes scores for director Scott Waugh's and lead actor Alan Ritchson's previous action films indicate for 'Runner's' potential critical reception?

Director Scott Waugh's lowest RT scoreExpend4bles (14%) [^]
Actor Alan Ritchson's highest recent RT scoreMotor City (74%) [^]
Runner release dateSeptember 11, 2026 [^][^][^]
Director Scott Waugh's action films typically receive mixed-to-negative critical reception. His filmography includes Act of Valor (28%), Need for Speed (23%), 6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain (22%), Hidden Strike (54%), and Expend4bles (14%) [^][^][^][^].
Alan Ritchson's recent action films show a positive critical trend. Films featuring Ritchson, such as The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (68%), War Machine (66%), and the upcoming Motor City (74%), indicate a more favorable critical reception for his recent projects [^][^][^].
'Runner' combines a director with mixed reception and an actor with recent praise. The upcoming action comedy-thriller, 'Runner', directed by Scott Waugh and starring Alan Ritchson, is scheduled for release on September 11, 2026 [^][^][^]. This project unites a director with a history of lower critical scores and an actor whose recent action films have garnered higher praise.

11. What Could Change the Odds

Key Catalysts

The upcoming releases of two similarly titled films in September 2026 present key catalysts. "Runner," an action-comedy-thriller starring Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson, distributed by Angel Studios, is scheduled for a US theatrical release on September 11, 2026 [^][^][^]. "The Runner," a psychological thriller starring Gal Gadot, is set for a streaming release on September 2, 2026 [^]. As of September 1, 2026, neither film has a Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, as they have not yet been widely reviewed by critics [^][^][^].
The absence of critical reception means market probabilities for Rotten Tomatoes scores remain unformed. While general entertainment prediction markets exist, there is no specific widespread public market consensus prediction for these films' Rotten Tomatoes scores readily accessible [^][^]. The film "Runner" (starring Alan Ritchson/Owen Wilson) is traded on the Hollywood Stock Exchange (HSX) under the symbol RUNNR and is currently in its "Wrap" phase [^]. The eventual releases and subsequent critic reviews will introduce new data, acting as catalysts for market adjustments related to film performance metrics.

Key Dates & Catalysts

  • Expiration: September 21, 2026
  • Closes: September 14, 2026

12. Decision-Flipping Events

  • Trigger: The upcoming releases of two similarly titled films in September 2026 present key catalysts.
  • Trigger: "Runner," an action-comedy-thriller starring Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson, distributed by Angel Studios, is scheduled for a US theatrical release on September 11, 2026 [^] [^] [^] .
  • Trigger: "The Runner," a psychological thriller starring Gal Gadot, is set for a streaming release on September 2, 2026 [^] .
  • Trigger: As of September 1, 2026, neither film has a Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, as they have not yet been widely reviewed by critics [^] [^] [^] .

14. Historical Resolutions

Historical Resolutions: 20 markets in this series

Outcomes: 9 resolved YES, 11 resolved NO

Recent resolutions:

  • KXRT-DOG-42: NO (Aug 31, 2026)
  • KXRT-DOG-37: YES (Aug 31, 2026)
  • KXRT-BUD-87: NO (Aug 31, 2026)
  • KXRT-BUD-82: YES (Aug 31, 2026)
  • KXRT-BUD-77: YES (Aug 31, 2026)