Stephen King’s ‘The Monkey’ Trailer Shatters Records, 109M Views in 72 Hours!

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Summary

  • Stephen King’s works have been successfully adapted into many iconic horror films, captivating viewers for over forty years.
  • The Monkey, based on King’s 1980 short story, has broken trailer viewing records for independent horror films.
  • Directed by Osgood Perkins, The Monkey starring Theo James and Tatiana Maslany will be released in theaters on February 21st, 2025.

Fans of the chilling and macabre will likely be familiar with Stephen King’s extensive collection of spine-tingling films. Acclaimed as one of the greatest writers globally, King has penned numerous tales that have found their way onto both the big and small screen thanks to his knack for creating relatable themes and well-rounded characters. While he is most famous for his horror genre, King’s body of work spans beyond it, encompassing such titles as “Misery,” “IT,” “The Shining,” “Carrie,” and many more that have left directors eager to bring his gripping stories to life on screen.

Several of Stephen King’s stories have left an indelible mark on cinema history, such as the memorable scene from “The Shining” where Jack pursued Danny through the labyrinthine hedge maze or violently broke down a door with an axe. The chilling scene in “Misery” also stands out, in which Annie Wilkes used a sledgehammer to inflict pain on bedridden Paul Sheldon’s legs. For over four decades, audiences have been enthralled by the film adaptations and series based on King’s books, and his work continues to thrive with the upcoming release of his short story, “The Monkey.

The Monkey Trailer Sets Huge Record for Independent Horror Film

According to Deadline, the upcoming horror movie titled “The Monkey” by Stephen King has smashed viewing records with a staggering 109 million views across various platforms. The terrifying trailer garnered over 43 million views within its first day and continued to break new ground, surpassing the 100 million view mark just 72 hours later. This phenomenal viewership has established a new benchmark for an independent horror movie from a non-MPA studio. Trailing behind, the trailers for Danny Boyle’s “28 Years Later” and the anticipated horror film “Nosferatu” managed 146 million and 74 million views globally, respectively, but “The Monkey” outperformed both in terms of viewership.

Drawing influence from Stephen King’s 1980 short story titled “The Monkey,” this chilling tale centers around identical twins, Hal and Bill, who stumble upon an ancient Monkey doll in their attic. This seemingly harmless toy triggers a string of gruesome family tragedies. In an attempt to escape their haunting past, the brothers decide to part ways. However, after 25 years, the terror resurfaces as the ominous and malevolent monkey embarks on another murderous rampage. Directed by Osgood Perkins, who previously brought us “Longlegs,” and featuring performances by Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, and a potential appearance by Stephen King himself, the film adaptation has garnered praise from critics for its terrifying depiction of the sinister monkey’s return.

As a fan who isn’t always thrilled with Steven King’s past adaptations, like Firestarter and Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, I was pleasantly surprised when he called The Monkey “batsh*t insane” and “admirable.” This is an exciting start, especially since the man himself endorsed Perkins’ upcoming horror. The Monkey will be gracing the silver screen on February 21st, 2025.

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2025-01-29 14:31