Tag: the-monkey

  • Best Movies of 2025 Top 25

    Moviefone's 25 best movies of 2025.
    Moviefone’s 25 best movies of 2025.

    As we start to close the book on 2025, it’s time to look back at the 25 best movies of the year!

    2025 saw new films from acclaimed filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson (‘One Battle After Another‘) and Ryan Coogler (‘Sinners‘), animated hits like ‘Kpop: Demon Hunters‘ and ‘Zootopia 2‘, scary movies such as ‘Weapons‘, long-awaited sequels like ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash‘ and ‘Wicked: For Good‘, reimagined superhero movies such as ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ and James Gunn‘s ‘Superman‘, and awards contenders like ‘Marty Supreme‘ and ‘Hamnet‘.

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    With the year quickly coming to a close, Moviefone has assembled its list of the 25 best movies of 2025.

    Let’s begin and Happy New Year!

    Related Article: 24 Best Movies of 2024, Ranked!


    25. ‘Rosemead‘ 

    Lucy Liu stars in 'Rosemead'. Photo: Vertical.
    Lucy Liu stars in ‘Rosemead’. Photo: Vertical.

    From director Eric Lin, in a race against time, an ailing woman (Lucy Liu) discovers her teenage son’s (Lawrence Shou) violent obsessions and must go to great lengths to protect him, and possibly others, in this portrait of a Chinese American family. Inspired by true events.

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    24. ‘Christy‘ 

    Sydney Sweeney in 'Christy'. Photo: Black Bear Pictures.
    Sydney Sweeney in ‘Christy’. Photo: Black Bear Pictures.

    From director David Michôd, Christy Martin (Sydney Sweeney) never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginia—until she discovered a knack for punching people. Fueled by grit, raw determination, and an unshakable desire to win, she charges into the world of boxing under the guidance of her trainer and manager-turned-husband, Jim (Ben Foster). But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it—confronting family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life-or-death.

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    23. ‘Sentimental Value‘ 

    (L to R) Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning in 'Sentimental Value'. Photo: Kasper Tuxen Andersen.
    (L to R) Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning in ‘Sentimental Value’. Photo: Kasper Tuxen Andersen.

    From director Joachim Trier, sisters Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) reunite with their estranged father, the charismatic Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), a once-renowned director who offers stage actress Nora a role in what he hopes will be his comeback film. When Nora turns it down, she soon discovers he has given her part to an eager young Hollywood star (Elle Fanning).

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    22. ‘Roofman‘ 

    (L to R) Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst star in Paramount Pictures' 'Roofman'.
    (L to R) Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst star in Paramount Pictures’ ‘Roofman’.

    From director Derek Cianfrance, a former Army Ranger and struggling father (Channing Tatum) turns to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs, earning him the nickname ‘Roofman’. After escaping prison, he secretly lives inside a Toys “R” Us for six months, surviving undetected while planning his next move. But when he falls for a divorced mom (Kristen Dunst) drawn to his undeniable charm, his double life begins to unravel, setting off a compelling and suspenseful game of cat and mouse as his past closes in.

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    21. ‘Bugonia‘ 

    Emma Stone stars as Michelle in director Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Bugonia', a Focus Features release. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
    Emma Stone stars as Michelle in director Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘Bugonia’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Atsushi Nishijima/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

    From director Yorgos Lanthimos, two conspiracy obsessed young (Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis) men kidnap the high-powered CEO (Emma Stone) of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.

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    20. ‘The Monkey‘ 

    'The Monkey'. Photo: Neon.
    ‘The Monkey’. Photo: Neon.

    From director Osgood Perkins, when twin brothers (both played by Theo James) find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tear their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree forcing the estranged brothers to confront the cursed toy.

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    19. ‘Highest 2 Lowest‘ 

    Denzel Washington in 'Highest 2 Lowest'. Photo Credit: David Lee.
    Denzel Washington in ‘Highest 2 Lowest’. Photo Credit: David Lee.

    From director Spike Lee, when a titan music mogul (Denzel Washington), widely known as having the “best ears in the business”, is targeted with a ransom plot, he is jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma.

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    18. ‘Dead Man’s Wire‘ 

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    (L to R) Dacre Montgomery as Richard ‘Dick’ Hall and Bill Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis in ‘Dead Man’s Wire’. Photo: Row K Entertainment

    From director Gus Van Sant, set in 1977 and based on a true story, Tony Kiritsis (Bill Skarsgård), a former real estate developer puts a dead man’s switch on himself and the mortgage banker (Dacre Montgomery) who did him wrong, demanding $5 million and a personal apology.

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    17. ‘Predator: Badlands

    (L to R) Thia (Elle Fanning) and Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) in 20th Century Studios' 'Predator: Badlands' film. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Thia (Elle Fanning) and Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Predator: Badlands’ film. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, cast out from his clan, a young Predator (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) finds an unlikely ally in a damaged android (Elle Fanning) and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.

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    16. ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery‘ 

    (L to R) Josh O’Connor and Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2025.
    (L to R) Josh O’Connor and Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc in ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2025.

    From director Rian Johnson, when young priest Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor) is sent to assist charismatic firebrand Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), it’s clear that all is not well in the pews. After a sudden and seemingly impossible murder rocks the town, the lack of an obvious suspect prompts local police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis) to join forces with renowned detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) to unravel a mystery that defies all logic.

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    15. ‘Is This Thing On?‘ 

    Will Arnett stars in 'Is This Thing On?' Photo by Searchlight Pictures/Jason McDonald/ Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2025 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
    Will Arnett stars in ‘Is This Thing On?’ Photo by Searchlight Pictures/Jason McDonald/ Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2025 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

    From director Bradley Cooper, as their marriage quietly unravels, Alex (Will Arnett) faces middle age and an impending divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene while Tess (Laura Dern) confronts the sacrifices she made for their family—forcing them to navigate co-parenting, identity, and whether love can take a new form.

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    14. ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash‘ 

    Varang (Oona Chaplin) in 20th Century Studios' 'Avatar: Fire and Ash'. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    Varang (Oona Chaplin) in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    From director James Cameron, in the wake of the devastating war against the RDA and the loss of their eldest son, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) face a new threat on Pandora: the Ash People, a violent and power-hungry Na’vi tribe led by the ruthless Varang (Oona Chaplin). Jake’s family must fight for their survival and the future of Pandora in a conflict that pushes them to their emotional and physical limits.

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    13. ‘Superman‘ (2025)

    David Corenswet as Superman in DC Studios’ and Warner Bros. Pictures’ 'Superman', a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jessica Miglio. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.
    David Corenswet as Superman in DC Studios’ and Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Superman’, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jessica Miglio. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. TM & © DC.

    From director James Gunn, Superman (David Corenswet), a journalist in Metropolis, embarks on a journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent.

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    12. ‘Frankenstein‘ (2025)

    Jacob Elordi as The Creature in ‘Frankenstein’. Photo: Ken Woroner/Netflix © 2025.
    Jacob Elordi as The Creature in ‘Frankenstein’. Photo: Ken Woroner/Netflix © 2025.

    From director Guillermo del Toro, Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac), a brilliant but egotistical scientist, brings a creature (Jacob Elordi) to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.

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    11. ‘Ballad of a Small Player‘ 

    Colin Farrell in 'Ballad of a Small Player'. Photo: Netflix. Netflix. © 2024.
    Colin Farrell in ‘Ballad of a Small Player’. Photo: Netflix. Netflix. © 2024.

    From director Edward Berger, amid the glittering casinos of Macau, a gambler (Colin Farrell) running from his past — and his debts — becomes fascinated by an enigmatic woman at the baccarat table.

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    10. ‘Eddington‘ 

    Joaquin Phoenix in 'Eddington'. Photo: A24.
    Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Eddington’. Photo: A24.

    From director Ari Aster, in May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff (Joaquin Phenix) and mayor (Pedro Pascal) sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico.

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    9. ‘Caught Stealing‘ 

    (L to R) Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz) and Hank (Austin Butler) have a moment outside a New York bar in Columbia Pictures 'Caught Stealing'. Photo: Niko Tavernise.© 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
    (L to R) Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz) and Hank (Austin Butler) have a moment outside a New York bar in Columbia Pictures ‘Caught Stealing’. Photo: Niko Tavernise.© 2024 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved. **ALL IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC. FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

    From director Darren Aronofsky, burned-out ex-baseball player Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a dangerous struggle for survival amidst the criminal underbelly of late 1990s New York City, forced to navigate a treacherous underworld he never imagined.

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    8. ‘Jay Kelly‘ 

    George Clooney as Jay Kelly in 'Jay Kelly'. Cr. Peter Mountain/Netflix © 2025.
    George Clooney as Jay Kelly in ‘Jay Kelly’. Cr. Peter Mountain/Netflix © 2025.

    From director Noah Baumbach, famous movie actor Jay Kelly (George Clooney) embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting both his past and present, accompanied by his devoted manager, Ron (Adam Sandler).

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    7. ‘Black Bag‘ 

    Michael Fassbender stars as George Woodhouse in director Steven Soderbergh's 'Black Bag', a Focus Features release. Credit: Claudette Barius/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
    Michael Fassbender stars as George Woodhouse in director Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Black Bag’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Claudette Barius/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

    From director Steven Soderbergh, ‘Black Bag’ is a gripping spy drama about legendary intelligence agents George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender) and his beloved wife Kathryn (Cate Blanchett). When she is suspected of betraying the nation, George faces the ultimate test – loyalty to his marriage or his country.

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    6. ‘The Phoenician Scheme‘ 

    Benicio Del Toro stars as Zsa-Zsa Korda in director Wes Anderson's 'The Phoenician Scheme', a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of TPS Productions/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
    Benicio Del Toro stars as Zsa-Zsa Korda in director Wes Anderson’s ‘The Phoenician Scheme’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of TPS Productions/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

    From director Wes Anderson, the film tells the story of a family and a family business starring Benicio del Toro.

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    5. ‘F1‘ 

    Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in Apple Original Films’ 'F1', a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Photo by Scott Garfield. Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / Apple Original Films. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in Apple Original Films’ ‘F1’, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Photo by Scott Garfield. Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures / Apple Original Films. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    From director Joseph Kosinski, racing legend Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) is coaxed out of retirement to lead a struggling Formula 1 team—and mentor a young hotshot driver (Damson Idris), while chasing one more chance at glory.

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    4. ‘Weapons‘ 

    Josh Brolin as Archer in New Line Cinema’s 'Weapons,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Josh Brolin as Archer in New Line Cinema’s ‘Weapons,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    From director Zach Cregger, when all but one child (Cary Christopher) from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.

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    3. ‘Marty Supreme‘ 

    Timothée Chalamet in ‘Marty Supreme’. Photo: A24.
    Timothée Chalamet in ‘Marty Supreme’. Photo: A24.

    From director Josh Safdie, in 1950s New York, Marty Mauser, (Timothée Chalamet) a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.

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    2. ‘Sinners‘ 

    Michael B. Jordan as Smoke and Stack in Warner Bros. Pictures’ 'Sinners,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Michael B. Jordan as Smoke and Stack in Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Sinners,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    From director Ryan Coogler, trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.

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    1. ‘One Battle After Another‘ 

    Leonardo Di Caprio as Bob Ferguson in 'One Battle After Another.' A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.
    Leonardo Di Caprio as Bob Ferguson in ‘One Battle After Another.’ A Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.

    From director Paul Thomas Anderson, washed-up revolutionary Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio) exists in a state of stoned paranoia, surviving off-grid with his spirited, self-reliant daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti). When his evil nemesis (Sean Penn) resurfaces after 16 years and she goes missing, the former radical scrambles to find her, father and daughter both battling the consequences of his past.

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  • Best Horror Movies to Watch on Halloween

    Jack Nicholson in 'The Shining'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    Jack Nicholson in ‘The Shining’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Halloween is here again and in-between putting on your costume and eating candy, you may want to sit down and watch a scary movie!

    Moviefone has assembled a list of the 35 scariest movies ever made to help you celebrate All Hallows’ Eve!

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: The 20 Most Terrifying Horror Films of the Last Decade Ranked!


    35. ‘Event Horizon‘ (1997)

    Sam Neill in 'Event Horizon'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Sam Neill in ‘Event Horizon’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    In 2047, a group of astronauts are sent to investigate and salvage the starship ‘Event Horizon’ which disappeared mysteriously 7 years before on its maiden voyage. With its return, the crew of the ‘Lewis and Clark’ discovers the real truth behind the disappearance of the ‘Event Horizon’ – and something even more terrifying.

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    34. ‘Insidious‘ (2011)

    A family discovers that dark spirits have invaded their home after their son (Ty Simpkins) inexplicably falls into an endless sleep. When they reach out to a professional for help, they learn things are a lot more personal than they thought.

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    33. ‘The Purge: Anarchy‘ (2014)

    One night per year, the government sanctions a 12-hour period in which citizens can commit any crime they wish — including murder — without fear of punishment or imprisonment. Leo (Frank Grillo), a sergeant who lost his son, plans a vigilante mission of revenge during the mayhem. However, instead of a death-dealing avenger, he becomes the unexpected protector of four innocent strangers who desperately need his help if they are to survive the night.

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    32. ‘Terrifier 3‘ (2024)

    Five years after surviving Art the Clown’s (David Howard Thorton) Halloween massacre, Sienna (Lauren LaVera) and Jonathan (Elliott Fullam) are still struggling to rebuild their shattered lives. As the holiday season approaches, they try to embrace the Christmas spirit and leave the horrors of the past behind. But just when they think they’re safe, Art returns, determined to turn their holiday cheer into a new nightmare. The festive season quickly unravels as Art unleashes his twisted brand of terror, proving that no holiday is safe.

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    31. ‘Let the Right One In‘ (2008)

    Set in 1982 in the suburb of Blackeberg, Stockholm, twelve-year-old Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant) is a lonely outsider, bullied at school by his classmates; at home, Oskar dreams of revenge against a trio of bullies. He befriends his twelve-year-old, next-door neighbor Eli (Lina Leandersson), who only appears at night in the snow-covered playground outside their building.

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    30. ‘28 Days Later‘ (2002)

    Cillian Murphy in 2002's '28 Days Later.' Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures.
    Cillian Murphy in 2002’s ’28 Days Later.’ Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures.

    Twenty-eight days after a killer virus was accidentally unleashed from a British research facility, a small group of London survivors are caught in a desperate struggle to protect themselves from the infected. Carried by animals and humans, the virus turns those it infects into homicidal maniacs — and it’s absolutely impossible to contain.

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    29. ‘Saw‘ (2004)

    Obsessed with teaching his victims the value of life, a deranged, sadistic serial killer abducts the morally wayward. Once captured, they must face impossible choices in a horrific game of survival. The victims must fight to win their lives back, or die trying…

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    28. ‘The Ring‘ (2002)

    Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) is a journalist investigating a videotape that may have killed four teenagers. There is an urban legend about this tape: the viewer will die seven days after watching it. Rachel tracks down the video… and watches it. Now she has just seven days to unravel the mystery of the Ring so she can save herself and her son.

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    27. ‘The Blair Witch Project‘ (1999)

    In October of 1994 three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland, while shooting a documentary. A year later their footage was found.

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    26. ‘The Monkey‘ (2025)

    When twin brothers (Theo James) find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tear their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree forcing the estranged brothers to confront the cursed toy.

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    25. ‘Scream‘ (1996)

    Drew Barrymore in 'Scream'. Photo: Dimension Films.
    Drew Barrymore in ‘Scream’. Photo: Dimension Films.

    A killer known as Ghostface begins killing off teenagers, and as the body count begins rising, one girl (Neve Campbell) and her friends find themselves contemplating the ‘rules’ of horror films as they try to survive a real-life one.

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    24. ‘Midsommar‘ (2019)

    Several friends travel to Sweden to study as anthropologists a summer festival that is held every ninety years in the remote hometown of one of them. What begins as a dream vacation in a place where the sun never sets, gradually turns into a dark nightmare as the mysterious inhabitants invite them to participate in their disturbing festive activities.

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    23. ‘It Follows‘ (2015)

    When carefree teenager Jay (Maika Monroe) sleeps with her older boyfriend for the first time, she learns that she is the latest recipient of a fatal curse that is passed from victim to victim via sexual intercourse. Death, Jay learns, will creep inexorably toward her as either a friend or a stranger. Jay’s friends don’t believe her seemingly paranoid ravings, until they too begin to see the phantom assassins and band together to help her defend herself.

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    22. ‘The Descent‘ (2005)

    After a tragic accident, six friends reunite for a caving expedition. Their adventure soon goes horribly wrong when a collapse traps them deep underground and they find themselves pursued by bloodthirsty creatures. As their friendships deteriorate, they find themselves in a desperate struggle to survive the creatures and each other.

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    21. ‘The Black Phone‘ (2022)

    Finney Blake (Mason Thames), a shy but clever 13-year-old boy, is abducted by a sadistic killer (Ethan Hawke) and trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of little use. When a disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring, Finney discovers that he can hear the voices of the killer’s previous victims. And they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn’t happen to Finney.

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    20. ‘M3GAN‘ (2023)

    (L to R) M3GAN, Gemma (Allison Williams) and Cady (Violet McGraw) in 'M3GAN,' directed by Gerard Johnstone. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) M3GAN, Gemma (Allison Williams) and Cady (Violet McGraw) in ‘M3GAN,’ directed by Gerard Johnstone. © 2023 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    A brilliant toy company roboticist (Allison Williams) uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to emotionally bond with her newly orphaned niece (Violet McGraw). But when the doll’s programming works too well, she becomes overprotective of her new friend with terrifying results.

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    19. ‘The Strangers‘ (2008)

    After returning from a wedding reception, a couple (Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman) staying in an isolated vacation house receive a knock on the door in the mid-hours of the night. What ensues is a violent invasion by three strangers, their faces hidden behind masks. The couple find themselves in a violent struggle, in which they go beyond what either of them thought capable in order to survive.

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    18. ‘The Conjuring‘ (2013)

    Paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.

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    17. ‘Poltergeist‘ (1982)

    Steve Freeling (Craig T. Nelson) lives with his wife, Diane (JoBeth Williams), and their three children, Dana (Dominique Dunne), Robbie (Oliver Robins), and Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke), in Southern California where he sells houses for the company that built the neighborhood. It starts with just a few odd occurrences, such as broken dishes and furniture moving around by itself. However, when he realizes that something truly evil haunts his home, Steve calls in a team of parapsychologists led by Dr. Lesh to help before it’s too late.

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    16. ‘Hereditary

    When Ellen, the matriarch of the Graham family, passes away, her daughter’s family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry.

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    15. ‘Heretic‘ (2024)

    Hugh Grant in 'Heretic'. Photo: A24.
    Hugh Grant in ‘Heretic’. Photo: A24.

    Two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

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    14. ‘Friday the 13th‘ (1980)

    Camp counselors are stalked and murdered by an unknown assailant while trying to reopen a summer camp that was the site of a child’s drowning.

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    13. ‘The Omen‘ (1976)

    Immediately after their miscarriage, the US diplomat Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) adopts the newborn Damien (Harvey Stephens) without the knowledge of his wife (Lee Remick). Yet what he doesn’t know is that their new son is the son of the devil.

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    12. ‘Psycho‘ (1960)

    When larcenous real estate clerk Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) goes on the lam with a wad of cash and hopes of starting a new life, she ends up at the notorious Bates Motel, where manager Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) cares for his housebound mother.

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    11. ‘Rosemary’s Baby‘ (1968)

    A young couple, Rosemary (Mia Farrow) and Guy (John Cassavetes), moves into an infamous New York apartment building, known by frightening legends and mysterious events, with the purpose of starting a family.

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    10. ‘Longlegs‘ (2024)

    Maika Monroe in 'Longlegs'. Photo: Neon.
    Maika Monroe in ‘Longlegs’. Photo: Neon.

    In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent (Maika Monroe) uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree.

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    9. ‘Alien‘ (1979)

    During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.

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    8. ‘The Substance‘ (2024)

    A fading celebrity (Demi Moore) decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself (Margaret Qualley).

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    7. ‘The Thing‘ (1982)

    Members of an American scientific research outpost in Antarctica find themselves battling a parasitic alien organism capable of perfectly imitating its victims. They soon discover that this task will be harder than they thought, as they don’t know which members of the team have already been assimilated and their paranoia threatens to tear them apart.

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    6. ‘The Shining‘ (1980)

    Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) accepts a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel, where he, along with his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and their son Danny (Danny Lloyd), must live isolated from the rest of the world for the winter. But they aren’t prepared for the madness that lurks within.

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    5. ‘The Silence of the Lambs‘ (1991)

    Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. Photo: Orion Pictures.
    Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. Photo: Orion Pictures.

    Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is a top student at the FBI’s training academy. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.

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    4. ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street‘ (1984)

    Teenagers in a small town are dropping like flies, apparently in the grip of mass hysteria causing their suicides. A cop’s daughter, Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp), traces the cause to child molester Fred Krueger (Robert Englund), who was burned alive by angry parents many years before. Krueger has now come back in the dreams of his killers’ children, claiming their lives as his revenge. Nancy and her boyfriend, Glen (Johnny Depp), must devise a plan to lure the monster out of the realm of nightmares and into the real world…

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    3. ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre‘ (1974)

    When Sally (Marilyn Burns) hears that her grandfather’s grave may have been vandalized, she and her paraplegic brother, Franklin (Paul A. Partain), set out with their friends to investigate. After a detour to their family’s old farmhouse, they discover a group of crazed, murderous outcasts living next door. As the group is attacked one by one by the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen), who wears a mask of human skin, the survivors must do everything they can to escape.

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    2. ‘The Exorcist‘ (1973)

    12-year-old Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) begins to adapt an explicit new personality as strange events befall the local area of Georgetown. Her mother (Ellen Burstyn) becomes torn between science and superstition in a desperate bid to save her daughter, and ultimately turns to her last hope: Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller), a troubled priest who is struggling with his own faith.

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    1. ‘Halloween‘ (1978)

    A scene from 1978's 'Halloween'. Photo: Compass International Pictures.
    A scene from 1978’s ‘Halloween’. Photo: Compass International Pictures.

    Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween Night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.

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  • The 20 Most Terrifying Horror Films of the Last Decade

    The 20 Most Terrifying Horror Films of the Last Decade

    Emily Blunt as Evelyn Abbott in 'A Quiet Place.'
    Emily Blunt as Evelyn Abbott in ‘A Quiet Place.’

    Horror movies have two speeds: Slasher and terrifyingly intense. At the risk of sleeping with the lights on for the next forever, we’re looking at the latter.

    With Halloween fast approaching, Moviefone is counting down the most terrifying horror movies that were released between 2015 and now.

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: 35 Scariest Horror Movies of All-Time, Ranked


    20. ‘Nosferatu‘ (2024)

    Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
    Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’ is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman (Lily-Rose Depp) and the terrifying vampire (Bill Skarsgård) infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

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    19. ‘Immaculate‘ (2024)

    An American nun (Sydney Sweeney) embarks on a new journey when she joins a remote convent in the Italian countryside. However, her warm welcome quickly turns into a living nightmare when she discovers her new home harbours a sinister secret and unspeakable horrors.

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    18. ‘Speak No Evil‘ (2024)

    When an American family is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British family they befriended on vacation, what begins as a dream holiday soon warps into a snarled psychological nightmare.

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    17. ‘Nope‘ (2022)

    Residents in a lonely gulch of inland California bear witness to an uncanny, chilling discovery.

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    16. ‘Barbarian‘ (2022)

    In town for a job interview, a young woman (Georgina Campbell) arrives at her Airbnb late at night only to find that it has been mistakenly double-booked and a strange man (Bill Skarsgård) is already staying there. Against her better judgement, she decides to stay the night anyway.

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    15. ‘The Menu‘ (2022)

    The cast of 'The Menu.' Photo by Eric Zachanowich. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.
    The cast of ‘The Menu.’ Photo by Eric Zachanowich. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

    A young couple (Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult) travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.

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    14. ‘Doctor Sleep‘ (2019)

    Still scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook Hotel, Dan Torrance (Ewan McGregor) faces the ghosts of the past when he meets Abra (Kyliegh Curran), a courageous teen who desperately needs his help — and who possesses a powerful extrasensory ability called the “shine”.

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    13. ‘Smile‘ (2022)

    After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can’t explain.

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    12. ‘The Monkey‘ (2025)

    When twin brothers (Theo James) find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tear their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree forcing the estranged brothers to confront the cursed toy.

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    11. ‘Talk to Me‘ (2023)

    When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.

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    10. ‘Longlegs‘ (2024)

    Maika Monroe in 'Longlegs'. Photo: Neon.
    Maika Monroe in ‘Longlegs’. Photo: Neon.

    In pursuit of a serial killer (Nicolas Cage), an FBI agent (Maika Monroe) uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree.

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    9. ‘Weapons‘ (2025)

    When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.

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    8. ‘The Substance‘ (2024)

    A fading celebrity (Demi Moore) decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself (Margaret Qualley).

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    7. ‘Midsommar‘ (2019)

    Several friends travel to Sweden to study as anthropologists a summer festival that is held every ninety years in the remote hometown of one of them. What begins as a dream vacation in a place where the sun never sets, gradually turns into a dark nightmare as the mysterious inhabitants invite them to participate in their disturbing festive activities.

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    6. ‘Get Out‘ (2017)

    Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and his girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) go upstate to visit her parents for the weekend. At first, Chris reads the family’s overly accommodating behavior as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter’s interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries lead him to a truth that he never could have imagined.

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    5. ‘Heretic‘ (2024)

    Hugh Grant in 'Heretic'. Photo: A24.
    Hugh Grant in ‘Heretic’. Photo: A24.

    Two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

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    4. ‘A Quiet Place‘ (2018)

    A family is forced to live in silence while hiding from creatures that hunt by sound.

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    3. ‘It‘ (2017)

    In a small town in Maine, seven children known as The Losers Club come face to face with life problems, bullies and a monster that takes the shape of a clown called Pennywise.

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    2. ‘It Follows‘ (2015)

    A young woman (Maika Monroe) is followed by an unknown supernatural force after a sexual encounter.

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    1. ‘Hereditary‘ (2018)

    Toni Collette in 'Hereditary'. Photo: A24.
    Toni Collette in ‘Hereditary’. Photo: A24.

    Following the death of the Leigh family matriarch, Annie (Toni Collette) and her children uncover disturbing secrets about their heritage. Their daily lives are not only impacted, but they also become entangled in a chilling fate from which they cannot escape, driving them to the brink of madness.

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  • Best Stephen King Movie Adaptations

    Best Stephen King Movie Adaptations

    (L to R) Joshua Odjick as Parker, Jordan Gonzalez as Harkness, David Jonsson as McVries, Cooper Hoffman as Garraty, and Charlie Plummer as Barkovitch in 'The Long Walk'. Photo Credit: Murray Close/Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Joshua Odjick as Parker, Jordan Gonzalez as Harkness, David Jonsson as McVries, Cooper Hoffman as Garraty, and Charlie Plummer as Barkovitch in ‘The Long Walk’. Photo Credit: Murray Close/Lionsgate.

    Stephen King is the king of Hollywood!

    The famous author has had over 50 of his novels and short stories made into popular movies such as ‘Carrie‘, ‘The Shining‘, ‘Stand by Me‘, ‘The Running Man‘, ‘Misery‘, ‘The Shawshank Redemption‘, and ‘The Green Mile‘.

    The latest adaptation of one of King’s novels, ‘The Long Walk‘, which he wrote when he was only 19 and was directed by Francis Lawrence, is scheduled for release in theaters on September 12th.

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    In honor of the new film, and August 19th being “King Day”,  Moviefone is counting down the 19 best Stephen King movie adaptations of all time!

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    Let’s begin!


    19. ‘The Dark Tower‘ (2017)

    Idris Elba in 'The Dark Tower'. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
    Idris Elba in ‘The Dark Tower’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

    A boy (Tom Taylor) haunted by visions of a parallel world aids its disillusioned guardian in preventing the destruction of the nexus of universes known as the Dark Tower.

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    18. ‘Dreamcatcher‘ (2003)

    Four boyhood pals (Thomas Jane, Damian Lewis, Timothy Olyphant and Jason Lee) perform a heroic act and are changed by the powers they gain in return. Years later, on a hunting trip in the Maine woods, they’re overtaken by a vicious blizzard that harbors an ominous presence. Challenged to stop an alien force, the friends must first prevent the slaughter of innocent civilians by a military vigilante (Morgan Freeman)… and then overcome a threat to the bond that unites the four of them.

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    17. ‘Salem’s Lot‘ (2024)

    Author Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman) returns to his childhood home of Jerusalem’s Lot only to discover his hometown is being preyed upon by a bloodthirsty vampire.

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    16. ‘It Chapter Two‘ (2019)

    27 years after overcoming the malevolent supernatural entity Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård), the former members of the Losers’ Club, who have grown up and moved away from Derry, are brought back together by a devastating phone call.

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    15. ‘Doctor Sleep‘ (2019)

    Ewan McGregor in 'Doctor Sleep'. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
    Ewan McGregor in ‘Doctor Sleep’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    Still scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook Hotel, Dan Torrance (Ewan McGregor) faces the ghosts of the past when he meets Abra (Kyleigh Curran), a courageous teen who desperately needs his help — and who possesses a powerful extrasensory ability called the “shine”.

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    14. ‘Apt Pupil‘ (1998)

    One day in 1984, Todd Bowden (Brad Renfro), a brilliant high school boy fascinated by the history of Nazism, stumbles across an old man whose appearance resembles that of Kurt Dussander (Ian McKellen), a wanted Nazi war criminal. A month later, Todd decides to knock on his door.

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    13. ‘Cujo‘ (1983)

    A friendly St. Bernard named “Cujo” contracts rabies and conducts a reign of terror on a small American town.

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    12. ‘Firestarter‘ (1984)

    Charlene “Charlie” McGee (Drew Barrymore) has the amazing ability to start fires with just a glance. Can her psychic power and the love of her father (David Keith) save her from the threatening government agency which wants to destroy her?

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    11. ‘Pet Sematary‘ (1989)

    After the Creed family’s cat is accidentally killed, a friendly neighbor advises its burial in a mysterious nearby cemetery.

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    10. ‘The Life of Chuck‘ (2025)

    (L to R) Annalise Basso and Tom Hiddleston in 'The Life of Chuck'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) Annalise Basso and Tom Hiddleston in ‘The Life of Chuck’. Photo: Neon.

    In this extraordinary story of an ordinary man, Charles ‘Chuck’ Krantz (Tom Hiddleston) experiences the wonder of love, the heartbreak of loss, and the multitudes contained in all of us.

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    9. ‘The Monkey‘ (2025)

    When twin brothers (Both played by Theo James) find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tear their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree forcing the estranged brothers to confront the cursed toy.

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    8. ‘It‘ (2017)

    In a small town in Maine, seven children known as The Losers Club come face to face with life problems, bullies and a monster that takes the shape of a clown called Pennywise.

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    7. ‘Carrie‘ (1976)

    Withdrawn and sensitive teen Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) faces taunting from classmates at school and abuse from her fanatically pious mother (Piper Laurie). When strange occurrences start happening around Carrie, she begins to suspect that she has supernatural powers.

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    6. ‘Misery‘ (1990)

    After an accident, acclaimed novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is rescued by a nurse (Kathy Bates) who claims to be his biggest fan. Her obsession takes a dark turn when she holds him captive in her remote Colorado home and forces him to write back to life the popular literary character he killed off.

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    5. ‘The Running Man‘ (1987)

    Arnold Schwarzenegger as Captain Benjamin "Ben" Richards in 'The Running Man.' Photo: Tri-Star Pictures.
    Arnold Schwarzenegger as Captain Benjamin “Ben” Richards in ‘The Running Man.’ Photo: Tri-Star Pictures.

    By 2017, the global economy has collapsed and U.S. society has become a totalitarian police state, censoring all cultural activity. The government pacifies the populace by broadcasting a number of game shows in which convicted criminals fight for their lives, including the gladiator-style ‘The Running Man’, hosted by the ruthless Damon Killian (Richard Dawson), where “runners” attempt to evade “stalkers” and certain death for a chance to be pardoned and set free.

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    4. ‘The Green Mile‘ (1999)

    A supernatural tale set on death row in a Southern prison, where gentle giant John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) possesses the mysterious power to heal people’s ailments. When the cell block’s head guard, Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks), recognizes Coffey’s miraculous gift, he tries desperately to help stave off the condemned man’s execution.

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    3. ‘Stand by Me‘ (1986)

    After learning that a boy their age has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four Oregon boys decide to go see the body. On the way, Gordie (Wil Wheaton), Vern (Jerry O’Connell), Chris (River Phenix) and Teddy (Corey Feldman) encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, as they also learn more about one another and their very different home lives. Just a lark at first, the boys’ adventure evolves into a defining event in their lives.

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    2. ‘The Shining‘ (1980)

    Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) accepts a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel, where he, along with his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and their son Danny (Danny Lloyd), must live isolated from the rest of the world for the winter. But they aren’t prepared for the madness that lurks within.

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    1. ‘The Shawshank Redemption‘ (1994)

    (L to R) Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman in 'The Shawshank Redemption'. Photo: Columbia Pictures.
    (L to R) Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

    Imprisoned in the 1940s for the double murder of his wife and her lover, upstanding banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) begins a new life at the Shawshank prison, where he puts his accounting skills to work for an amoral warden. During his long stretch in prison, Dufresne comes to be admired by the other inmates — including an older prisoner named Red (Morgan Freeman) — for his integrity and unquenchable sense of hope.

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  • Movie Review: ‘The Monkey’

    'The Monkey'. Photo: Neon.
    ‘The Monkey’. Photo: Neon.

    ‘The Monkey’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.

    Opening in theaters February 21st is ‘The Monkey,’ directed by Osgood Perkins and starring Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Rohan Campbell, Elijah Wood, and Adam Scott.

    Related Article: Osgood Perkins and Theo James Talk Stephen King Adaptation ‘The Monkey’

    Initial Thoughts

    Theo James in 'The Monkey'. Photo: Neon.
    Theo James in ‘The Monkey’. Photo: Neon.

    If you’re a Stephen King fan, put away any preconceptions about what ‘The Monkey’ is. While it’s based on a 1980 short story by the horror master (which can now be found in his 1985 collection, ‘Skeleton Crew’), this adaptation by writer-director Osgood Perkins takes only the bare bones of the plot and expands it from there in some decidedly different directions.

    The tone of the film is also quite distinct from the story: while the latter plays the concept straight, Perkins has apparently ascertained that a straight horror movie about a toy monkey that kills people might not make the cut.

    Instead, Perkins takes the monkey’s supernatural power and the havoc it wreaks to some truly bonkers extremes. While the movie’s ultimate theme dovetails with that of the story to a certain degree, it arrives there via a barrage of exceptionally, absurdly gruesome kills and set pieces that are often as hilarious as they are unsettling.

    Story and Direction

    (L to R) Theo James and director Osgood Perkins on the set of 'The Monkey'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) Theo James and director Osgood Perkins on the set of ‘The Monkey’. Photo: Neon.

    ‘The Monkey’ starts with a prologue in which a pilot, Pete Shelburn (Adam Scott in a delightful cameo), visits a pawn shop to get rid of the toy monkey that he picked up somewhere in his travels. As we find out right away, every time the monkey gets wound up and bangs on its toy drum with the drumsticks clutched in its paws, somebody – or even multiple somebodies – dies, often in horrible ways.

    Flash forward to meeting Pete’s young twin sons (both played by Christian Convery), who find the monkey stashed in a closet among their long-gone dad’s other possessions. The boys, who live with their sweet but slightly eccentric mom (Tatiana Maslany), are opposites: Hal is reserved, cerebral, and thoughtful, while Bill is outgoing, brash, and dedicated to humiliating his brother every chance he gets.

    Hal and Bill quickly find out two dreadful things about the monkey: once it starts banging on its drum, the only person safe from harm is the person who winds it up…and no matter who you wish to die, the monkey ultimately picks its own victim or victims. This leads to an unfortunate turn of events that end with the two siblings throwing the thing down a well and assuming it’s gone for the next 20 years.

    Nicco Del Rio as a pastor in 'The Monkey'. Photo: Neon.
    Nicco Del Rio as a pastor in ‘The Monkey’. Photo: Neon.

    But it’s not, of course. Now an adult (played by Theo James), Hal gets a call from his long-estranged brother (also played by James) telling him that the monkey has resurfaced and that Hal must go back to their hometown, find and destroy it. Hal himself is a failure, working at a convenience store and keeping himself largely distant from the teenage son he dearly loves in fear of the boy somehow coming into the orbit of the monkey – which is exactly what happens, as Hal gets the call from his brother right in the middle of his annual road trip with his distant, understandably hurt kid (Colin O’Brien).

    It’s not too long before we understand that the monkey is a metaphor for death – in all its random, unexpected, abrupt, horrifying glory. And while this is a somber realization, it’s presented in terms that border on the surreal. People just don’t drop dead in ‘The Monkey’; they explode, are eviscerated, incinerated, perforated, and mutilated in the kind of bizarre “accidental” deaths that make the famous kills in movies like ‘The Omen’ and ‘Final Destination’ look like, well, child’s play.

    The combination of existential dread, gallows humor, and almost cartoonish gore makes for a tricky tightrope for Perkins to walk, but he mostly handles it well. ‘The Monkey’ is short and feels a bit thin sometimes, but the director is willing to push himself in new directions after the mostly dead serious atmosphere of his earlier films (although ‘Longlegs’ began his experimentation with humor thanks to the usual unhinged greatness from Nicolas Cage). If the lesson that Hal learns in ‘The Monkey’ doesn’t resonate as forcefully as it could, with Perkins unable to resist one last bloody sight gag, the movie makes up for it by being a rollicking good time and that hardest of genre mashups to pull off: an effective horror-comedy.

    The Cast

    (L to R) Laura Mennell, Elijah Wood and Theo James in 'The Monkey'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) Laura Mennell, Elijah Wood and Theo James in ‘The Monkey’. Photo: Neon.

    In a movie where a number of performances are intentionally exaggerated or campy, some of the individual work may seem too broad or fall a bit short. In other instances – like a subplot involving a local small-time crook (Rohan Campbell) whom Bill hires to steal the money – the script itself lets the actors down. That subplot actually adds little to the overall movie and, to some degree, drags it down for a stretch.

    On the other hand, kudos must go to Theo James and Christian Convery for their excellent portrayal of the Shelburn twins as boys and men. The 15-year-old Convery is especially adept at encompassing the trauma and heartbreak that leads them to become two very damaged men, and James takes over from there with an equally well-rounded dual performance (the choice to differentiate the two by giving Bill a horrific haircut isn’t a good one, undermining the character a bit).

    The movie’s scene-stealer, however, is Tatiana Maslany as their mother, Lois. Though only in a few scenes, Maslany exudes warmth, patience, wisdom, and love, with her own underlying layer of hurt and disappointment. She’s also frank with the boys, especially in a scene where they discuss the nature of death. The ‘She-Hulk’ star is always a welcome screen presence and we only wish we could see more of her in this film.

    Final Thoughts

    A scene from 'The Monkey'. Photo: Neon.
    A scene from ‘The Monkey’. Photo: Neon.

    This is a new kind of film for Osgood Perkins, following the relatively somber atmosphere of films like ‘The Blackcoat’s Daughter’ and ‘Gretel and Hansel.’ He doesn’t always handle the balance of tone effectively, so while ‘The Monkey’ is a barrel of fun for much of its relatively brief running time, it’s a bit less memorable than some of the filmmaker’s earlier works.

    It’s still a good time though, and he still manages to create some interesting characters and even give them some moments of profundity and empathy amid all the carnage and flying viscera. As far as Stephen King adaptations go, it’s a nice twist on a story that harkens, to some degree, back to the EC Comics that inspired the author when he was a kid. In the end, the message is a universal one: death comes for us all, banging its little drum to let us know our time is up.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Monkey’?

    After stumbling upon their father’s vintage toy monkey in the attic, twin brothers Hal and Bill (Christian Convery) witness a string of horrifying deaths unfolding around them. To leave the haunting behind, the brothers discard the monkey and pursue separate paths over time. However, when the inexplicable deaths resurface, the adult brothers (Theo James) are compelled to reconcile and embark on a mission to permanently eliminate the cursed toy.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Monkey’?

    • Theo James as Hal and Bill Shelburn
    • Christian Convery as young Hal and Bill
    • Tatiana Maslany as Lois Shelburn
    • Elijah Wood as Ted Hammerman
    • Colin O’Brien as Petey
    • Rohan Campbell as Ricky
    • Sarah Levy as Ida
    • Adam Scott as Capt. Petey Shelburn
    'The Monkey'. Photo: Neon.
    ‘The Monkey’. Photo: Neon.

    Steven King Movies:

    Buy Stephen King Movies On Amazon

     

  • ‘The Monkey’ Interview: Director Osgood Perkins and Theo James

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    Opening in theaters on February 21st is ‘The Monkey’, which is based on the short story by Stephen King and was written and directed by Osgood Perkins (‘Longlegs’).

    The film stars Theo James (‘The Gentlemen’), Christian Convery (‘Sweet Tooth’), Tatiana Maslany (‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’), Elijah Wood (‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’), Colin O’Brien (‘Wonka’), and Adam Scott (‘Madame Web’).

    Related Article: Director Osgood Perkins and Maika Monroe Talk Horror-Thriller ‘Longlegs’

    (L to R) Theo James and director Osgood Perkins talk 'The Monkey'.
    (L to R) Theo James and director Osgood Perkins talk ‘The Monkey’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with writer and director Osgood Perkins and Theo James about their work on ‘The Monkey’, developing the adaptation, adding humor to the screenplay, James’ approach to his dual roles, and working with young actor Christian Convery.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.

    (L to R) Theo James and director Osgood Perkins on the set of 'The Monkey'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) Theo James and director Osgood Perkins on the set of ‘The Monkey’. Photo: Neon.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Osgood, can you talk about the challenges of adapting a Stephen King story for the big screen and your choice to add humor and levity to the film?

    Osgood Perkins: When I was given the privilege, because that’s what it is, to work off his vibration, never mind trying to copy a story or be faithful or something like that. But just trying to be aligned with such a titan of creativity and such a pillar of culture was just this amazing opportunity. More than adapting the specific story, I wanted to conjure the feeling I get from Stephen King or what my indelible impressions are. I always found his stuff to be so fun, sort of playful, smart, musical, melancholic and about families, fathers, children, life and death, and sort of much more than just a bunch of monsters or a bunch of killers. So, I wanted to bring the comedic, the joy, the entertainment value to the front.

    Theo James in 'The Monkey'. Photo: Neon.
    Theo James in ‘The Monkey’. Photo: Neon.

    MF: Theo, can you talk about the challenges of playing dual roles and your specific approach to playing both Hal and Bill?

    Theo James: I mean, it is a gift really. Actors like to see more of themselves, because they’re essentially egotists, but these were two very different characters who the core of them is endemically different. To start from that arena, you can make bold choices. So, with Hal, he’s a very internal person. He’s a shaken, downbeat kind of 80s Tom Hanks. As a result, his body language, his posture is more stooped, he’s more questioning with his gaze, and he’s not sure of himself. He stutters over words. With Bill, it’s the opposite of that. He’s maniacal, he’s ego led, but he’s essentially a child in a man’s body who’s looking desperately for love. All that brings itself to a level of toxicity and madness, which with someone like Oz, you feel comfortable to try stuff. Some of it works and some of it doesn’t. But at least in that space you can find little pieces that are interesting that might not have been there otherwise.

    A scene from 'The Monkey'. Photo: Neon.
    A scene from ‘The Monkey’. Photo: Neon.

    MF: Finally, Theo, since the story is told in two different timelines, did you work with young actor Christian Convery to make sure that both of your performances of Hal and Bill matched?

    TJ: Not really in a way, because I think you need to let Christian interpret the character in his own way and do his thing. I need the room to interpret my characters in the same way and not be hampered by certain things. We decided early on we didn’t want to get into a realm of prosthetics or a particular kind of makeup or the way they looked or vocal or body language tics. So, we weren’t hampered by that. In a way it was nice to just let each other do our thing. But the person who’s guiding the ship is obviously Oz, so he can make sure that we are on the right page, but also with children and adults, there’s a huge evolution that happens between them. So, we didn’t need to worry too much about that.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Monkey’?

    After stumbling upon their father’s vintage toy monkey in the attic, twin brothers Hal and Bill (Christian Convery) witness a string of horrifying deaths unfolding around them. To leave the haunting behind, the brothers discard the monkey and pursue separate paths over time. However, when the inexplicable deaths resurface, the adult brothers (Theo James) are compelled to reconcile and embark on a mission to permanently eliminate the cursed toy.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Monkey’?

    • Theo James as Hal and Bill Shelburn
    • Christian Convery as young Hal and Bill
    • Tatiana Maslany as Lois Shelburn
    • Elijah Wood as Ted Hammerman
    • Colin O’Brien as Petey
    • Rohan Campbell as Ricky
    • Sarah Levy as Ida
    • Adam Scott as Capt. Petey Shelburn
    'The Monkey'. Photo: Neon.
    ‘The Monkey’. Photo: Neon.

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  • New Stephen King Adaptation ‘The Monkey’ Reveals Cast

    (Left) Theo James as Eddie Horniman in 'The Gentlemen.' Photo: Kevin Baker/Netflix. Copyright: © 2023, Netflix Inc. (Center) Elijah Wood in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.' Photo: New Line Cinema. (Right) Tatiana Maslany in Disney+'s ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.'
    (Left) Theo James as Eddie Horniman in ‘The Gentlemen.’ Photo: Kevin Baker/Netflix. Copyright: © 2023, Netflix Inc. (Center) Elijah Wood in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.’ Photo: New Line Cinema. (Right) Tatiana Maslany in Disney+’s ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.’

    Preview:

    • A movie based on Stephen King short story ‘The Monkey’ has been shot.
    • Theo James, Tatiana Maslany and Elijah Wood are in the lead roles.
    • Osgood Perkins directed the movie.

    Normally when there is a casting story to report, it’s because a movie is in the midst of coming together –– occasionally, word on actors’ involvement is even sometimes leaked so as to nudge negotiations in a certain direction.

    But then there are the other cases, ones that almost serve as a “surprise! New finished movie!” story, with the film already in the can. And for ‘The Monkey’, that’s certainly the case, with production completed and deals reportedly made to sell it to distributors, at least according to Deadline.

    As for the cast? That is led by Theo James, Tatiana Maslany and Elijah Wood.

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    What’s the story of ‘The Monkey’?

    Author Stephen King.
    Author Stephen King. Photo: Stephen King/Facebook.

    The new movie adapts –– as so many projects these days seem to –– a Stephen King story. In this case, it’s a short story that was first published as a booklet included in Gallery magazine in 1980.

    King revised the story for publication in his 1985 collection ‘Skeleton Crew’. The narrative follows young brothers, Peter and Dennis who discover a cymbal-banging monkey in the attic of their great-uncle’s house. As if that wasn’t scary enough –– seriously, have you seen some of those things? –– they discover its sinister history. Originally discovered by their father, Hal, it turned out to be cursed, and every time it clapped its cymbals together, someone near Hal died.

    In the movie, the brothers will soon find that people around them are dying, and attempt to dispose of the toy, then grow up and apart. But when a string of mysterious deaths begins, they must reunite to destroy the monkey for good before it takes the lives of everyone close to them.

    Related Article: J.J. Abrams Will Produce and may Direct Stephen King Film Billy Summers

    Who’s in the cast of ‘The Monkey’ movie?

    Christian Convery as Gus in 'Sweet Tooth' season 2.
    Christian Convery as Gus in ‘Sweet Tooth’ season 2. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2023.

    The new movie features an eclectic cast, including Theo James (seen in ‘The White Lotus’ and more recently in Netflix’s ‘The Gentlemen’ series) Tatiana Maslany (‘She–Hulk: Attorney at Law’), Elijah Wood (‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring’), Christian Convery (‘Sweet Tooth’), Colin O’Brien (‘Wonka’), Rohan Campbell (‘Halloween Ends’) and Sarah Levy (‘Schitt’s Creek’).

    James is playing both twin brothers in their adult incarnations, with Convery bringing them to life in their youth.

    Who has made ‘The Monkey’?

    'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' director James Wan
    ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ director James Wan at CinemaCon 2022. Photos by Eric Charbonneau.

    Osgood “Oz” Perkins was in the director’s chair for the movie, working from his script. The filmmaker has another movie already headed our way –– the Nicolas Cage/Maika Monroe-starring ‘Longlegs’, which is due out in July and has an intriguing trailer online.

    On the producing side, the new horror movie comes from James Wan, the genre specialist behind the likes of ‘The Conjuring’ and ‘Saw’ franchises.

    When will ‘The Monkey’ be on screens?

    ‘The Monkey’ has yet to lock in a release date.

    Theo James as Eddie Horniman in 'The Gentlemen.'
    Theo James as Eddie Horniman in ‘The Gentlemen.’ Photo: Christopher Rafael/Netflix. Copyright: © 2023, Netflix Inc.

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