Pulling from the twisted writings of Stephen King, The Monkey follows two estranged brothers’ encounter with a cursed monkey toy that tormented them as children. Not only is the movie a formidable King adaptation, but it marks a unique entry for director Osgood Perkins. Perkins tossed aside his usual slow-creeping, atmospheric horror for a dark comedy soaked in gore.
Whether you’re looking for films spotlighting toys gone bad or just more blood-splattered horror comedies, here are the 10 best movies to watch if you loved The Monkey.
M3GAN
M3GAN has a similar vibe to The Monkey, albeit with a sci-fi flair. After the tragic death of her parents, Cady (Violet McGraw) must live with her Aunt Gemma (Allison Williams). Reluctant to be a caregiver, Gemma designs a companion for her niece. Enter M3GAN, the titular doll, who goes from AI marvel to hostile enemy within the film’s runtime. While the PG-13 rating keeps M3GAN from getting too wild, it still manages to maintain a darkly comedic tone. Critic and audience reception even earned it a sequel and spinoff.
Creepshow
From the minds of Stephen King and George Romero comes Creepshow, a cheesy horror anthology chock full of B-movie goodness. Aimed at homaging the EC horror comics of the ‘50s, each segment leans into that trademark comic book style. With five tales to choose from, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re in search of twisted revenge stories or campy creature features. King even stars in one of the chapters as Jordy Verrill, whose encounter with a crashed meteorite has unfortunate consequences.
Gremlins
Black comedy at its finest, Gremlins kicks off with an innocent but unusual Christmas gift. Not long after, Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) gets thrust into mayhem when an accidental water spill causes the strange creature under his care to reproduce. Unfortunately, these new mogwai aren’t quite as friendly, and their penchant for hijinks plunges the town into chaos. Equal parts violent and fun, Gremlins is a creature feature like none other. If The Monkey’s more deranged moments of humor appeal to you, Gremlins is a fitting companion watch.
It Chapter One
While Tim Curry’s portrayal of Pennywise the Dancing Clown is a pop culture icon, Andy Muschietti’s remake gives the story a much-needed update from 1990’s two-part TV miniseries. Also adapted from a Stephen King story, It Chapter One follows a group of kids’ encounter with an otherworldly being who crawls from the sewers and preys on fear. Much like The Monkey, It Chapter Two sees those same kids face off against Pennywise decades later when it emerges from its hibernation ready to feed.
Fear Street Part One: 1994
Born from the work of famed author R.L. Stine, Netflix’s Fear Street series chronicles a curse that spans generations. The first movie, Fear Street Part One: 1994 kicks off with a circle of teenage friends delving into the ancient evil responsible for a multitude of brutal murders in Shadyside’s history. Made for a young adult audience, Fear Street Part One: 1994 doesn’t get quite as bloody as The Monkey. However, it has a retro-slasher feel with plenty of fun horror moments. While the movie could technically be a standalone, following up with Fear Street Part Two: 1978 and Fear Street Part 3: 1666 is highly recommended.
Pet Sematary
The original Pet Sematary movie oozes with Stephen King’s signature brand of small town New England horror. Like The Monkey, Pet Sematary delves into themes of grief and trauma, albeit with a much more serious tone. After Louis Creed (Dale Midkiff) loses his young son in a horrible accident, he decides to resurrect him in a supernatural-infused burial ground capable of resurrection. The issue: The dead don’t return the same, and Louis must contend with his son’s new bloodlust.
Annabelle
If you’re searching for something more spooky, Annabelle checks that box. The movie’s inspiration hails from a case conducted by the controversial paranormal investigating duo Ed and Lorraine Warren. While the movie briefly delves into the source material, it ultimately diverges into its own tale about a new mother’s encounter with the titular demon-harboring doll. Although far from the best installment in The Conjuring Universe, Annabelle earns its place in the “spooky doll” subgenre and delivers something just as chilling as a cymbal-wielding monkey toy.
Maximum Overdrive
Maximum Overdrive might be one of the cheesiest entries on this list. It follows a group of survivors trapped in a truck stop as machines come to life around them after a mysterious comet passes over Earth. Ridiculous? Absolutely. However, it’s also ridiculously fun. Despite a big name like Emilio Estevez leading the ensemble cast, Stephen King’s only directorial effort fell victim to a messy production and a bloated script. While The Monkey remains relatively loyal to its short story source material, Maximum Overdrive resembles very little of King’s original tale. Even so, it’s a schlocky cult classic sure to please B-movie lovers.
Ready or Not
Ready or Not might not share much with The Monkey plot-wise, but the similarities extend to its over-the-top brand of gore. Offering cynical commentary on marriage, newlywed Grace (Samara Weaving) proves getting accepted by your in-laws isn’t always easy. What seems like an innocent game of Hide-and-Seek turns into a deadly cat-and-mouse scenario when Grace learns a family curse dictates that her husband’s family must ritualistically sacrifice her before dawn.
Benny Loves You
Looking for a lesser-known entry in the killer-toy subgenre? Benny Loves You might fit that bill. After the death of his parents, Jack (Karl Holt) decides to leave his childish ways behind. The first step involves tossing his old toys. Among them is Benny, who doesn’t like to be discarded and proves it by murdering anyone who comes between him and Jack. For a low-budget indie offering, Benny Loves You offers a surprising amount of heart hidden beneath campy kills and a plot that makes sure to never take itself too seriously.
Where to watch movies like The Monkey streaming online
Check out our list below to find the best movies like The Monkey and where you can stream them online in the US!
