Following the resounding success of Longlegs, writer/director Oz Perkins is back with another chilling adaptation from the prolific Stephen King. The Monkey stars Theo James as twin brothers haunted by a sinister cymbal-banging monkey toy. The film also features an ensemble cast including Tatiana Maslany (known from Orphan Black), Elijah Wood (famous for Lord of the Rings and Yellowjackets), and Adam Scott (star of Severance), all entangled in the eerie antics of this malevolent monkey.
In his review for IGN, critic Tom Jorgenson praises The Monkey as “one of the best horror-comedies (and Stephen King adaptations) in recent memory, bursting with both gory kills and big laughs.” This description suggests a thrilling blend of horror and humor that promises to captivate audiences.
If you're eager to experience The Monkey in theaters or are curious about its streaming release date, here's what you need to know:
How to Watch The Monkey - Showtimes and Streaming Release Date
The Monkey hit theaters on February 21. You can find showtimes near you at major theater chains like Fandango, AMC Theaters, Cinemark Theaters, and Regal Theaters.
The Monkey Streaming Release Date
The Monkey will be available for streaming on Hulu, thanks to a distribution deal between Neon and Hulu. Unlike the trend of movies going straight to streaming, Neon’s independent releases often take several months to reach the platform. For instance, Oz Perkins' previous film, Longlegs, released in theaters on July 12, 2024, and didn't appear on Hulu until February 14, 2025—about seven months later.
While you might have to wait a few months for The Monkey to become available on Hulu, you can expect to rent or buy it through digital marketplaces like Prime Video by early May.
What Is The Monkey About?
The Monkey is adapted from Stephen King's short story of the same name, first published in 1980 and later revised for his Skeleton Crew collection in 1985. The film's official synopsis reads:
When twin brothers discover a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of bizarre deaths begins to tear their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey resumes its deadly spree, compelling the estranged siblings to confront the cursed toy.
Does The Monkey Have a Post-Credits Scene?
Although The Monkey doesn’t feature a traditional post-credits scene, there is a surprise that’s worth sticking around for. Be cautious of spoilers, but you can find out more about this in IGN’s guide to The Monkey’s ending.
The Monkey Cast
The Monkey was both written and directed by Oz Perkins. The film boasts 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 strong bloody violent content, gore, language throughout, and some sexual references. The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes.
