Running on Empty

Name: Running on Empty
Genre: Drama, Romance, Crime
Released: 1988-09-09
Duration: 1 h 56 min
Rating: 7.4
Cast: Christine Lahti, River Phoenix, Judd Hirsch, Jonas Abry, Martha Plimpton

1988·Movie·PG-13·116 min·★ 7.4(363)

Drama Romance Crime More English titles

“They chose their lives. Now their son must choose his.”

The Popes are a family who haven't been able to use their real identity for years. In the late sixties, the parents set a weapons lab afire in an effort to hinder the government's Vietnam war campaign. Ever since then, the Popes have been on the run with the authorities never far behind. Their survival is threatened when their eldest son falls in love with a girl, and announces his wish to live his life on his own terms.

▶ Watch trailer

Where to watch Running on Empty in United States

Can I watch Running on Empty in United States? Yes — you can stream Running on Empty in United States on TCM, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

Stream

Rent

Buy

Click a service to open Running on Empty there. Availability last verified on August 20, 2026.

Where is Running on Empty streaming around the world?

Country	Streaming on	Rent / Buy
United States	TCM	Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies
United Kingdom	—	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
Canada	Starz Amazon Channel	Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Australia	—	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
Germany	—	Amazon Video
France	—	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, VIVA by videofutur
Spain	Filmin	Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video
Brazil	—	Amazon Video
Japan	U-NEXT, HBO Max on U-Next	Amazon Video
South Korea	Watcha	—

About Running on Empty

Running on Empty is a 1988 English-language drama, romance and crime film directed by Sidney Lumet. The cast is led by Christine Lahti, River Phoenix, Judd Hirsch. It has a runtime of 1h 56m. Viewers rate it 7.4/10 across 400 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on TCM.

Running on Empty was produced by Double Play and Lorimar Film Entertainment and made in United States of America. It was released on September 9, 1988, and carries a PG-13 certification. At the box office it grossed around $3 million worldwide.

Director: Sidney Lumet
Writers: Naomi Foner
Release date: September 9, 1988
Original language: English
Age rating: PG-13
Status: Released
Country: United States of America
Box office: $3 million
Production: Double Play, Lorimar Film Entertainment

#vietnam war#on the run#pianist#hiding#protestors#suspenseful#complicated

Running on Empty cast & crew

Running on Empty was directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Naomi Foner.

The cast features Christine Lahti as Annie Pope, River Phoenix as Danny Pope, Judd Hirsch as Arthur Pope, Jonas Abry as Harry Pope, Martha Plimpton as Lorna Phillips, and Ed Crowley as Mr. Phillips.

Behind the camera, the score was composed by Tony Mottola, cinematography is by Gerry Fisher, and it was produced by Naomi Foner and Burtt Harris.

Is Running on Empty worth watching?

Running on Empty holds an audience score of 7.4/10 from 363 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed drama films.

At 1h 56m, it's a standard feature-length watch.

If you enjoy drama, romance, and crime, Running on Empty is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch Running on Empty

In United States, you can stream Running on Empty on TCM, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.