Stephen King’s The Monkey Breaks Box Office Records in 2025

LOS ANGELES, CA — Stephen King‘s latest film adaptation, The Monkey, directed by Osgood Perkins, has opened to impressive box office numbers, grossing over $38 million globally since its release in February 2025. The film, which features a sinister toy monkey that brings grisly deaths to those who encounter it, has proven to be a strong contender in the horror genre.

As the highest-grossing horror film of the year so far, The Monkey has surpassed competitors such as Companion and Wolf Man, both of which have underperformed compared to expectations. The Monkey stars twins Hal and Bill, portrayed by Christian Concert and Colin O’Brien, alongside well-known actors Taniana Maslany, Adam Scott, and Elijah Wood.

Osgood Perkins is no stranger to success; his previous film, Longlegs, a thriller that grossed $126.9 million against a $10 million budget, set the bar high for his latest venture. According to Perkins, the blend of horror and relatable themes in The Monkey resonates with audiences. “It’s the fear of the unknown, something that we all can relate to,” he said.

The horror genre has notably thrived in 2025, following the box-office hit Nosferatu in late 2024, which continues to perform well in theaters. Other films in the genre this year, such as Companion and Wolf Man, have also begun returning profits, indicating a resurgence in audience interest in horror films.

As cultural trends shift toward low-budget horror films, filmmakers are eager to seize the opportunity. “Movies typically need to earn back two-and-a-half times their budgets,” said an industry analyst. “With theaters retaining half of ticket sales and marketing costs excluded from production budgets, a film’s financial success is often determined by its quality and audience engagement.”

This year’s slate of horror films is highly anticipated, with sequels to popular franchises like M3GAN 2.0, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and 28 Weeks Later all scheduled for release. Perkins himself will add to the excitement with another project, Keeper, slated for release in October 2025, alongside the potential return of beloved characters from earlier films.

Looking ahead, horror fans remain optimistic as new and classic titles are poised to capture audience attention. The success of The Monkey has set a high standard for upcoming releases, and experts suggest that it may even see its box office record challenged in coming months.