The latest adaptation of Stephen King’s works, titled The Monkey and directed by Osgood Perkins, has exceeded all expectations. This gripping film centers around brothers Hal and Bill, who embark on a quest to eliminate a cursed monkey toy linked to a series of mysterious and gruesome deaths from their childhood. While there are notable deviations from King’s original story, the film has garnered rave reviews since its release last month, thanks to its unique blend of horror and dark humor.
Aside from its box office success, The Monkey has achieved an impressive score on Rotten Tomatoes, receiving largely positive critiques from film reviewers. Although audience reactions have been mixed, the film’s strong box office performance indicates that it has not been significantly affected by mixed reviews. With a variety of other Stephen King adaptations in development, The Monkey demonstrates that new cinematic renditions of King’s stories have the potential to outshine even some of the most iconic horror films in history.
The Monkey Needs Another $13 Million To Rank Among Stephen King’s Top 10
A Remarkable Milestone For A Prolific Author
Given that Stephen King’s stories have been adapted over 50 times, the prospect of The Monkey entering the ranks of the top ten highest-grossing adaptations is especially noteworthy. As it currently stands, The Monkey has earned $62.3 million globally since its theatrical debut (as reported by Box Office Mojo). The film that holds the ten-spot on King’s highest-grossing adaptations list is the 2003 movie Dreamcatcher, which grossed $75.6 million (according to The Numbers). Notably, The Monkey has already surpassed several critically acclaimed King adaptations, including The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining, and Stand by Me.
The Monkey has undoubtedly carved a niche for itself among King’s adaptations and has tripled its initial budget of $11 million. Currently, it ranks as the 12th highest-grossing King adaptation. To enter the top ten, it would need to overtake 2019’s Doctor Sleep, which made $72.3 million. While it may not make the required $13 million to achieve this rank, the film’s financial success underscores its impact on the genre. Furthermore, it serves as a poignant reminder that films like It, It: Chapter Two, and The Green Mile continue to set the benchmark for the cultural influence of Stephen King’s narratives.
Will The Monkey Become One Of Stephen King’s Top 10 Box Office Hits?
Ongoing Box Office Revenue
As The Monkey continues to screen in select theaters, it is still generating revenue, albeit at decreasing returns each week. For instance, during the week of March 21st, it brought in $2.1 million domestically, reflecting a 41% drop from the prior week. If this trend persists, projections suggest that revenue could drop below $1.3 million in the upcoming week (as per The Numbers). Given its theatrical run is drawing to a close, the prospects of reaching the additional $13 million seems improbable at this stage.
Despite a dwindling number of theaters showcasing The Monkey, this may position it closer to a digital release. Once available for purchase or rental, its digital performance could positively influence its overall gross, although such tallies are usually recorded separately from box office figures. Regardless of how its home release plays out, The Monkey has already established itself as a noteworthy box office success. While it may not reach the top 10 threshold, the film has cemented its status as one of King’s standout adaptations.
Source: Box Office Mojo, The Numbers, The Numbers