Since its release, The Monkey, directed by Osgood Perkins and based on Stephen King’s short story, has performed well at the box office. As of March 9, 2025, the film has grossed approximately $31 million in the United States and Canada and $14.8 million internationally, bringing its total worldwide earnings to $45.8 million. Considering its modest budget of $10–11 million, this performance makes it a profitable horror film.
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Opening Weekend Success
The Monkey debuted alongside The Unbreakable Boy and was initially projected to earn around $17 million in its opening weekend across 3,200 theaters. On its first day, it earned $5.9 million, including $1.9 million from early screenings. By the end of the weekend, it secured the second spot at the box office, finishing with $14 million—just behind Captain America: Brave New World.
Steady Earnings and Strong Hold
In its second weekend, The Monkey experienced a 54% drop, earning $6.3 million. For a horror film, such a drop is considered an above-average hold, showing the movie’s continued appeal.
Comparison to Other Monkey-Themed Films
Before The Monkey’s success, other high-grossing primate-related films dominated the box office:
- Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012) grossed $746 million worldwide, making it the most successful Madagascar installment.
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) earned $710 million globally, solidifying its status as a major box office hit.
Though The Monkey hasn’t surpassed these numbers yet, it stands as one of the highest-grossing horror films of 2025 and a major success for its budget.
Critical Reception and Audience Response
While The Monkey has been commercially successful, audience reception has been mixed:
- CinemaScore: Audiences gave it an average C+ rating.
- PostTrak: The film averaged 2.5 out of 5 stars, with 49% of viewers saying they would “definitely recommend” it.
Critics have praised its striking visuals and performances, but some have noted issues with pacing and storytelling.
The Monkey proves that horror adaptations of Stephen King’s works continue to attract audiences. While it may not have broken all-time records, its strong box office earnings relative to its budget solidify its status as a successful horror film in 2025.
By – Kartik
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