The latest adaptation by Stephen King, Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey, has achieved remarkable success that has far exceeded initial projections. This captivating horror film centers around brothers Hal and Bill, who embark on a chilling quest to destroy a cursed monkey toy that has been linked to a series of mysterious and gruesome deaths since their childhood. Although The Monkey diverges in some aspects from the original narrative, it has garnered substantial acclaim since its release last month, thanks to its unique blend of spine-chilling horror and dark comedic elements that resonate with audiences.
Not only has The Monkey excelled at the box office, but it also received an impressive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, showcasing the film’s positive reception among critics. While certain segments of the audience have expressed mixed feelings about The Monkey, its continued box office success indicates that these differing opinions have not significantly hindered its performance. With several other adaptations of Stephen King’s works in development this year, The Monkey demonstrates that modern adaptations can indeed rival and even outperform some of the most iconic horror films in cinematic history.
The Monkey Needs Another Million To Secure Its Place Among Stephen King’s Top 10 Box Office Hits
This Achievement Is Remarkable for an Author with Over 50 Adaptations
Over the years, Stephen King’s works have been adapted into films more than 50 times, making the potential for The Monkey to break into the top 10 highest-grossing adaptations a notable accomplishment. Currently, The Monkey has amassed $62.3 million worldwide during its theatrical run, as reported by Box Office Mojo. The movie holding the 10th position on King’s highest-grossing list is 2003’s Dreamcatcher, which earned $75.6 million overall according to The Numbers. Even though The Monkey has not yet entered the top 10, it has already outperformed several esteemed adaptations, including The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining, Stand by Me, and more.
The Monkey has undeniably established itself within the realm of King’s adaptations, successfully recouping its $11 million budget.
As of this article’s publication, The Monkey ranks as the 12th highest-grossing adaptation. To climb higher, it must surpass 2019’s Doctor Sleep, which generated $72.3 million, before it can compete with Dreamcatcher for the 10th spot. The Monkey has clearly made an impact among Stephen King’s adaptations and has more than recovered its production costs. This film serves as a powerful reminder that other successful adaptations, such as It, It: Chapter Two, and The Green Mile, which occupy the top three positions, highlight the lasting influence of Stephen King’s literary works.
Will The Monkey Join the Ranks of Stephen King’s 10 Highest-Grossing Films?
The Film Is Actively Generating Revenue
The Monkey continues to screen in select theaters, indicating that it remains a source of revenue. However, there has been a noticeable decline in earnings each week. For instance, during the week of March 21st, The Monkey earned $2.1 million domestically, reflecting a 41% decrease from the prior week. If this trend persists, projections suggest that the film’s earnings may fall below $1.3 million in the upcoming week, as noted by The Numbers. Given that its theatrical run is approaching its conclusion, it appears unlikely that The Monkey will achieve the $13 million increase needed at this stage.
Related
2025’s Most Anticipated Stephen King Movie Differs Greatly from The Monkey
While The Monkey is the first Stephen King movie released this year, the most significant one, set for release in November, promises to be vastly different yet equally thrilling.
Although The Monkey is gradually being screened in fewer theaters each week, this trend suggests that its digital release may be on the horizon. The availability of the film for purchase or rental could significantly boost its overall earnings, though it’s important to note that home market performance is typically recorded separately from box office results. Regardless of how The Monkey‘s digital release unfolds, it has already established itself as a significant success at the box office. While it may struggle to reach the additional $13 million needed to enter the top 10 list, The Monkey has undoubtedly secured its status among Stephen King’s most notable adaptations.
Source: Box Office Mojo, The Numbers, The Numbers
The Monkey
6/10
- Release Date
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February 19, 2025
- Runtime
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98 Minutes
- Director
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Osgood Perkins
- Writers
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Osgood Perkins
- Producers
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John Rickard, Natalia Safran, Ali Jazayeri, Chris Ferguson, Fred Berger, Giuliana Bertuzzi, James Wan, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, John Friedberg, Jason Cloth, David Gendron, Michael Clear, Jesse Savath, Peter Luo, Dave Caplan
