After the smashing success of Longlegs, writer/director Oz Perkins is back with another chilling horror adaptation from the mind of Stephen King. The Monkey features Theo James in a dual role as twins tormented by a sinister cymbal-clashing monkey toy. Joining the cast are Tatiana Maslany, known for Orphan Black, Elijah Wood from The Lord of the Rings and Yellowjackets, and Adam Scott of Severance fame, all entangled in the eerie world of the haunted monkey.
IGN's critic Tom Jorgenson hailed The Monkey as "one of the best horror-comedies (and Stephen King adaptations) in recent memory," noting its explosive mix of gruesome kills and hearty laughs. It's shaping up to be a standout in the horror comedy genre.
If you're eager to see The Monkey on the big screen or curious about its streaming release, here's everything you need to know:
How to Watch The Monkey - Showtimes and Streaming Release Date
The Monkey premiered in theaters on February 21. You can find showtimes at your local cinemas through the following links:
- Fandango
- AMC Theaters
- Cinemark Theaters
- Regal Theaters
The Monkey Streaming Release Date
The Monkey will be available for streaming on Hulu, thanks to Neon's distribution deal, rather than on Netflix or Max. Neon's movies typically take around seven months to transition from theaters to Hulu. For instance, Oz Perkins' previous film, Longlegs, released on July 12, 2024, didn't hit Hulu until February 14, 2025. While you might need to wait until late 2025 to stream The Monkey on Hulu, you'll likely be able to rent or purchase it digitally on platforms like Prime Video by early May.
What Is The Monkey About?
Based on Stephen King's short story from his 1985 collection Skeleton Crew, The Monkey unfolds with this gripping synopsis:
When twin brothers discover a mysterious wind-up monkey, a string of bizarre deaths begins to unravel their family. Decades later, the monkey starts another deadly spree, compelling the now-estranged siblings to confront the cursed toy once more.
Does The Monkey Have a Post-Credits Scene?
Although The Monkey does not have a traditional post-credits scene, there's a notable "surprise" that's worth staying for. For those interested in avoiding spoilers, check out IGN's guide to The Monkey's ending for more details.
The Monkey Cast
The Monkey was both written and directed by Oz Perkins, with a stellar cast including:
- Theo James as Hal and Bill Shelburn
- Christian Convery as young Hal and Bill
- Tatiana Maslany as Lois Shelburn
- Colin O'Brien as Petey
- Rohan Campbell as Ricky
- Sarah Levy as Ida
- Adam Scott as Capt. Petey Shelburn
- Elijah Wood as Ted Hammerman
- Osgood Perkins as Chip
- Danica Dreyer as Annie Wilkes
- Laura Mennell as Hal's ex-wife and Petey's mother
- Nicco Del Rio as Rookie Priest
The Monkey Rating and Runtime
The Monkey is rated R due to its intense scenes of bloody violence, gore, pervasive language, and some sexual references. The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes.
