The horror movie scene already feels packed, even though it’s only February. This shows how popular horror still is and how well it does in theaters. The Monkey, Osgood Perkins’ take on Stephen King’s 1980 short story, is adding to the excitement by already breaking a box office record for horror this year.
Fandango’s official Instagram shared that The Monkey now holds the title for the best-selling horror movie of 2025 based on early ticket sales. While it might seem early to brag, other horror films like Presence, Companion, and Heart Eyes didn’t hit the same mark. This proves The Monkey has caught the attention of horror fans.
Box office predictions for The Monkey suggest it could make between $15 to $25 million during its opening weekend. Strong marketing and positive reviews might push it toward the higher end. Reports say the film’s tracking has improved as its release date gets closer, which is always a good sign.
Advertisement Director Osgood Perkins also has momentum from last year’s Longlegs, which earned great reviews and made $126 million worldwide on a budget of less than $10 million. It became Neon’s highest-grossing domestic film and the top independent movie of 2024. (Longlegs is now available on Hulu if you missed it.)
Perkins wrote and directed The Monkey, a film based on Stephen King’s 1980 short story from Skeleton Crew. It follows twin brothers who find their dad’s old toy monkey in the attic, only to realize it triggers terrifying murders.
They try to escape the nightmare by throwing it away and going their separate ways, but the killings start again. Determined to end the horror, they decide to destroy the evil toy for good. The cast includes Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Sarah Levy.
The Monkey currently holds an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus calls it “cruelly clever with unforgettable gory moments,” proving Osgood Perkins’ talent for horror while showing his dark sense of humor. George Edelman also praised the movie, calling it a “horror-comedy gem” that “cuts deep on life, death, and manhood.” He highlighted the strong performances and Perkins’ sharp direction, especially its unique view on modern masculinity.
If The Monkey does well at the box office this weekend, it won’t be surprising. Horror has always been a reliable hit, and when a great one comes along, people rush to see it. This creepy toy seems to be one movie fans are excited to check out.
The Monkey hits screens this Friday.