If you were gripped by Ben Richards’ desperate, goal-driven mission to outwit his hunters and survive in The Running Man, you’ll be riveted by Battle Royale. In this novel, a class of schoolchildren are forced into a deadly government game where only one can survive, pushing each character into perilous cat-and-mouse tactics. The urgent pacing, danger around every corner, and the drive to achieve the impossible makes this a pulse-pounding read.

If you were fascinated by Ben Richards’ complicated morality and willingness to cross lines for survival in The Running Man, American Psycho will draw you in with Patrick Bateman—a protagonist whose actions and inner turmoil are equally fascinating and disturbing. The blurred lines between right and wrong, and the chilling insight into a morally gray mind, will keep you questioning every decision.

If you were drawn to the dark, gritty world and oppressive regime of The Running Man, 1984 offers an equally chilling dystopia. Winston Smith’s struggle against a surveillance state and the ever-present threat of violence echo the constant tension and danger of Ben Richards’ world, offering a harrowing look at personal rebellion under authoritarian rule.

If the breakneck pace and constant action of The Running Man kept you turning pages, you’ll love Fahrenheit 451. Guy Montag’s frantic journey through a society where books are forbidden feels urgent and breathless, with every chapter bringing new dangers, escapes, and revelations as he races to change his fate.

If you were captivated by the dystopian game show and deadly competition in The Running Man, you’ll find The Long Walk equally compelling. In this novel—also penned by Stephen King under Richard Bachman—teenage boys must keep walking without rest, with only one survivor promised freedom and glory. The brutal rules, oppressive society, and relentless tension make it a natural next read.