Is ‘The Monkey’ Taking Over the Box Office by Surprise?

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  • What’s Next for ‘The Monkey’ Director Osgood Perkins?

Under the guidance of director Osgood Perkins, the comedy-horror flick titled “The Monkey” has recently graced movie theaters. As per Rotten Tomatoes, this movie is considered fresh with a 79% Tomatometer score and a slightly lower 60% Popcornmeter rating, indicating a generally positive reception. This film is an adaptation of the Stephen King short story by the same name, telling the tale of twin brothers, Bill and Hal (portrayed by Theo James). Their lives take a dark turn when they discover a seemingly innocuous monkey toy belonging to their father, which subsequently leads to a string of bizarre and grisly deaths that eventually tear their family apart.

Following the discard of their plaything, the siblings carried on with their separate paths and drifted apart over time. Yet, when the monstrous creature reappears and embarks on another murderous rampage after a quarter-century, the long-estranged brothers are compelled to confront the haunted toy once more. Brimming with gory yet amusing death sequences, The Monkey represents Perkins’ directorial sequel to last year’s blockbuster hit, Longlegs. Much like its predecessor, The Monkey has garnered comparable reviews from critics and viewers. Despite not equaling the box office earnings of Longlegs, it doesn’t signify that the movie is a flop in any way. Although it may not be the highest-grossing horror film of 2025, The Monkey is undeniably on its way to becoming a commercial success nonetheless.

How Much Has ‘The Monkey’ Made at the Box Office?

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Even though it initially ranked second upon its premiere, the horror movie The Monkey has been quite successful at the cinema so far. In its opening weekend alone, it raked in approximately $14 million within the US, a decent figure for a horror film. Remarkably, it managed to carve out a strong position during its initial release, given that it was pitted against the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster, Captain America: Brave New World, which was also playing in theaters at the same time. Distributed by NEON, The Monkey recorded the second-highest opening weekend earnings in the company’s history, with the leading spot being held by another film, Longlegs, which brought in approximately $22 million for NEON during its premiere last year.

According to estimates, The Monkey is projected to continue its success as a film produced by Perkins and NEON, with a budget around $10 million. While it might not reach the heights of Longlegs, it’s highly unlikely to bomb. Already earning double its production cost, The Monkey is expected to generate additional revenue during its second run in theaters. Good reviews for the film could draw more viewers, and with few other horror movies set to release soon, The Monkey remains the top choice for moviegoers.

What’s Next for ‘The Monkey’ Director Osgood Perkins?

Following the success of two chilling horror movies, spectators are eagerly anticipating what’s next from director Perkins. Regrettably, impatient viewers will have to hold their breath until late 2025 for the reveal. Titled “Keeper,” the film is set to hit screens on October 3 of this year and promises more spine-tingling horror. Starring Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland as a couple, Liz and Malcolm, who embark on a romantic anniversary trip to a secluded cabin, only for Liz to find herself alone when Malcolm abruptly leaves for the city. Left to face something menacing hidden within the cabin, she must confront her fears alone. As of now, no official trailer has been released, but a sneak peek was shown after the credits of “The Monkey” for those who stayed till the very end.

Based on the tone of the teaser, it doesn’t seem that Keeper will be anywhere close to as comedic as Perkins’ latest film. Instead, it appears incredibly chilling and seems to be gunning for those Halloween horror feels. Its October 2025 release date can’t come fast enough, considering its intent to cash in on the spooky atmosphere. If Perkins’ next project is anything like his past films, viewers are in for a thrill. But only if they’re into horror movies. The Keeper trailer may not have revealed much, but it definitely set the stage for a genuinely terrifying film experience.

Following the triumph of “Longlegs” and now the thriving performance of “The Monkey,” Perkins’ filmmaking history is certainly noteworthy. As “The Monkey” continues to make a splash at the box office, supporters of the director are eagerly anticipating more this year. “The Monkey” can be seen in theaters now.

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2025-03-02 23:01