Osgood Perkins’ big-screen adaptation of Stephen King’s The Monkey sparks a strong box-office start for the horror genre in 2025. The 2025 horror movie tells the story of twins haunted by a sinister toy monkey that brings gruesome deaths to those who come across it. A critical and financial hit, The Monkey stars Theo James as twins Hal and Bill, alongside Tatiana Maslany, Christian Concert, Colin O’Brien, Adam Scott, and Elijah Wood.

According to Box Office Mojo, The Monkey has earned over $38 million from the worldwide box office. Placing it as the seventh highest-earning production, the movie is the highest-grossing horror movie of the year so far. This places The Monkey ahead of Companion, Wolf Man, which each made an estimated $34 million, as well as Heart Eyes‘ gross of roughly $31 million.

What The Monkey’s Box-Office Success Means For The 2025 Horror Slate

All Of 2025’s Currently Released Horrors Have Earned Back Their Budgets

The year 2025 has already seen the horror genre enjoy a fresh start following the success of Nosferatu, with the Oscar-nominated vampire horror lingering in theaters into the new year after its December 2024 release. Companion and Heart Eyes would continue this trend, as each feature has managed to earn back its budget. Even with its mixed reception, Wolf Man earned back its budget of $25 million, albeit not a box-office success.

As such, The Monkey continues a positive trend that is only likely to continue going into the rest of 2025. The year will see beloved horror franchises return to the big screen, such as M3GAN 2.0, Five Nights At Freddy’s 2, Final Destination: Bloodlines, Predator: Badlands, and 28 Weeks Later. However, Opus and Death of a Unicorn seem set to provide those interested with bold, standout horror. On the other hand, Perkins has another movie called Keeper, which will reunite him with The Monkey star, Maslany.

Our Thoughts On The Monkey’s Success

Perkins Is Solidifying Himself As An Esteemed Horror Director Thanks To A String Of Hits

Between existing icons returning and new, creative twists on the genre arriving in theaters, horror fans are set to be spoiled in 2025. Plus, audiences are clearly invested in low-budget horrors in contrast with large-budget blockbusters that find themselves struggling to make a significant profit.

Furthermore, The Monkey has not only set up a strong start for the horror genre in 2025, but it also continued a positive trend for Perkins himself. Not only was Longlegs a profitable and critical hit, but it became his and distributor Neon’s highest-grossing movie released to date, alongside the highest-grossing independent movie of the year. With Perkins already set to release his and Neon’s next collaboration in October with Keeper, the movie seems set to be another fresh hit, thanks to the excitement surrounding the director’s two most recent features.

Source: Box Office Mojo