Among the plethora of horror movies hitting theaters and streaming in February, one of the most exciting is Osgood Perkins‘ horror comedy, The Monkey. Following up the surprise hit that was 2024’s Longlegs, Oz Perkins is going in a slightly different direction, tackling a project that is far more comedic in nature than Perkins’ previous work, while still possessing a similar eerie vibe and grotesque imagery that made films like Longlegs and Gretel & Hansel so unique in their execution. And with positive reviews across the board, including an excellent Rotten Tomatoes score, it seems that Oz Perkins has done it once again with his latest foray into the horror genre.
Adapted from a Stephen King short story of the same name, The Monkey follows twin brothers Bill and Hal (Theo James), an estranged pair who reunite to vanquish the evil toy monkey that has haunted them since childhood, with the monkey having been responsible for the deaths of many of their family members. It’s a simultaneously creepy and goofy premise, and the film seems to be well aware of that fact, as Oz Perkins’ latest clearly straddles the line between horror and outright comedy with a clear tongue-in-cheek sense of self-awareness present in all the film’s marketing. However, some may be wondering, will the film be available on streaming?
Continue reading to find out where you can watch The Monkey when it releases.
Is ‘The Monkey’ Streaming?
Unfortunately for Stephen King and Oz Perkins fans alike, The Monkey will not be on streaming upon the film’s initial release. This will surely come as a disappointment to those who wish to watch the film from the comfort of their own home, but it isn’t all bad news. When The Monkey does eventually hit streaming, the horror comedy will likely land on Hulu, where Longlegs has been dominating the movie chart since its streaming debut. This is because The Monkey is being distributed by Neon, who previously handled distribution for Longlegs.
Is ‘The Monkey’ in Theaters?
If you were hoping to watch The Monkey in a dark movie theater surrounded by horror fans and top-of-the-line audio, you’re in luck. The Monkey will see an exclusive theatrical release as of February 21, 2025. And if you can’t wait until then, the film will have preview screenings on the night of Thursday, February 20. Many horror fans were treated to early screenings of the film last week, where many locations hosted Dolby screenings for The Monkey, showing Neon’s confidence in the movie’s quality and general audience appeal.
However, The Monkey will not be the only film in search of box office gold this weekend. The major holdover from last weekend will be Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World, which will be entering its second week of release, after grossing nearly $90 million in its first 3-day weekend. Also releasing this weekend alongside The Monkey will be Lionsgate’s long-delayed family drama, The Unbreakable Boy, and action thriller Cleaner, starring Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley.
Find Showtimes for ‘The Monkey’
For all you horror enthusiasts looking to grab the best seats in the house, here are some useful links to help you acquire your tickets for The Monkey.
Watch the Trailer for ‘The Monkey’
The official redband trailer for The Monkey (which can be viewed above) features snippets of all the gory mayhem and comedic antics that audiences will be in store for with Oz Perkins’ latest. The trailer cleverly gives just enough of the premise to intrigue viewers while still keeping large portions of the plot and characters under wraps, making for a trailer that succeeds at its job beautifully, enticing viewers but not ruining the film’s surprises. Oz Perkins’ films have been notorious for this, with Longlegs taking a similar approach, keeping Nicolas Cage’s sadistic serial killer out of the trailers, giving audiences something to discover when they are seated in the theater.
Other Horror Comedies to Watch
If you’re looking for some other great horror comedies to watch in anticipation of The Monkey, here are a few great films to add to your watchlist.
‘Fresh’ (2022)
Fresh
- Release Date
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March 4, 2022
- Runtime
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114 minutes
- Director
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Mimi Cave
- Writers
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Lauryn Kahn
Starring Twisters‘ Daisy Edgar-Jones and Oscar nominee Sebastian Stan, Fresh is one of the more underrated horror comedies of recent years. The film follows Noa (Edgar-Jones), a woman who, after initially giving up on dating apps, meets the charismatic Steve (Stan), the seemingly perfect man, who eventually invites Noa on a romantic weekend getaway. However, things aren’t quite what they seem with Steve, as Noa’s dream romance turns into a terrifying nightmare. Without spoiling the film’s biggest reveals, there’s a unique spin to how Mimi Cave’s directorial debut goes about its (rather original) concept, making for an unpredictable, wild ride full of laughs and thrills in equal measure.
‘Tucker & Dale vs. Evil’ (2011)
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
- Release Date
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September 30, 2011
- Runtime
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89 minutes
- Director
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Eli Craig
- Writers
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Morgan Jurgenson, Eli Craig
Eli Craig’s Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is easily one of the funniest horror comedies of all time. The satire follows the titular friends, two hillbillies who are enjoying their vacation in their shabby mountain cabin when they are mistaken for serial killers by a group of clichéd college students, leading to a wild series of escapades for the unassuming pair. The film’s satirical approach to the typical slasher formula is a loving homage to the subgenre, featuring many clever reversals of common slasher tropes, making for some genuinely hilarious antics as Tucker and Dale find themselves in increasingly over-the-top situations. Absolutely seek this gem out if you have yet to do so.
‘The Cabin in the Woods’ (2012)
The Cabin in the Woods
- Release Date
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April 13, 2012
- Runtime
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95 minutes
- Director
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Drew Goddard
- Writers
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Drew Goddard, Joss Whedon
Few horror comedies have so cleverly dissected the horror genre in the way that The Cabin in the Woods does. The film follows a group of teenagers, all representing the clichéd horror movie teen characters (the stoner, the virgin, the athlete, etc.), who go to an isolated cabin in the woods, where their greatest fears await. Sounds familiar? Well, it is! And that’s the point. The film, written by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard (and directed by the latter), is as self-aware as horror comedies, come, lovingly mocking the tropes of the horror genre, while constructing its own wholly original mythology that tackles the horror genre in a way that no other film has managed to, before, or after for that matter.
The Monkey
- Release Date
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February 19, 2025
- Runtime
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98 Minutes
- Writers
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Osgood Perkins
- Producers
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John Rickard, Natalia Safran, Ali Jazayeri, Chris Ferguson, Fred Berger, Giuliana Bertuzzi, James Wan, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, John Friedberg, Jason Cloth, David Gendron, Michael Clear, Jesse Savath, Peter Luo, Dave Caplan
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