Following the chilling success of *Longlegs*, filmmaker Oz Perkins makes a spine-tingling return with another adaptation from the master of horror, Stephen King. This time around, he brings to life *The Monkey*, a sinister tale starring Theo James as twin brothers plagued by a malevolent wind-up monkey toy that cymbals its way into their nightmares. Tatiana Maslany (*Orphan Black*), Elijah Wood (*Lord of The Rings, Yellowjackets*), and Adam Scott (*Severance*) also find themselves tangled in the eerie chaos unleashed by this cursed creature.
In his review for IGN, critic Tom Jorgenson describes *The Monkey* as “one of the best horror-comedies (and Stephen King adaptations) in recent memory,” praising its explosive mix of gory kills and dark humor. If you're curious about catching *The Monkey* in theaters or tracking when it will hit streaming platforms, read on for all the latest details.
How to Watch The Monkey – Showtimes and Streaming Release Date
The Monkey is now playing in theaters as of February 21. You can check local showtimes through the major theater platforms listed below:
The Monkey Streaming Release Date
The Monkey will arrive on Hulu, rather than Netflix or Max. The film is being distributed by Neon, which has an exclusive streaming partnership with Hulu for theatrical releases under its distribution banner.
Unlike many films opting for straight-to-streaming releases these days, Neon’s titles typically spend several months in theatrical circulation before becoming available digitally. For reference, *Longlegs*, Oz Perkins’ previous film, premiered in theaters on July 12, 2024, and didn’t land on Hulu until February 14, 2025—nearly seven months later.
While fans may need to wait until late summer or early fall for *The Monkey* to appear on Hulu, the movie should be available for digital rental or purchase via online platforms like Prime Video by early May.
What Is The Monkey About?

*The Monkey* is based on Stephen King’s short story of the same name, first published in 1980 and later revised for inclusion in his *Skeleton Crew* collection in 1985. Here's the official synopsis of the film:
When twin brothers discover a mysterious wind-up monkey, a string of gruesome deaths begins to unravel their family. Twenty-five years later, the monkey resurfaces, setting off a new wave of terror and forcing the estranged siblings to face the cursed toy head-on.
Does The Monkey Have a Post-Credits Scene?
Although *The Monkey* doesn't feature a traditional post-credits scene, there is a special surprise worth sticking around for after the credits roll. Be warned—spoilers ahead! You can learn more about what happens in IGN’s complete guide to The Monkey’s ending.
The Monkey Cast

Written and directed by Oz Perkins, *The Monkey* features a stellar ensemble 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 carries an R rating due to strong bloody violence, graphic gore, pervasive language, and some sexual content. The film clocks in at a brisk runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes, delivering a tight, punchy horror experience with plenty of laughs along the way.