"The Monkey": $12M-$14M Box Office Debut, Second Highest Ever For Animation

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Post on Feb 22, 2025

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'The Monkey King' Makes a Mighty $12.8 Million Box Office Debut, Second Highest Ever for Animation

Los Angeles, CA – Animation powerhouse, Netflix, saw its latest feature film, The Monkey King, achieve a roaring box office success this weekend, generating an estimated $12.8 million in its opening three-day run. This impressive figure marks the second-highest opening weekend ever for an animated film in the United States, solidifying the movie's place as a significant contender in the current cinematic landscape. Only Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has achieved a higher opening weekend gross for an animated film in recent history.

While precise figures vary slightly depending on the reporting source, industry analysts agree on a range between $12.5 million and $13 million. This strong showing surpasses initial projections, demonstrating a considerable appetite for the unique blend of action, humor, and Chinese mythology presented in the film. The film's success showcases the growing global appeal of animated features that move beyond traditional Western narratives.

The film, directed by Anthony Stacchi and based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, features a star-studded voice cast. This likely contributed to its strong box office performance. The marketing campaign emphasized the film's visually stunning animation and the exciting, family-friendly adventure story. This combination resonated powerfully with audiences, attracting both families and adult animation fans alike.

Several factors are attributed to The Monkey King's impressive debut. Firstly, the movie's unique animation style, a blend of traditional and CGI techniques, created a visually captivating spectacle. Secondly, the strong positive word-of-mouth generated pre-release, fueled by early screenings and critical acclaim, significantly impacted the box office results. Thirdly, the strategic marketing campaign skillfully targeted a broad audience base.

The film's success represents a win for Netflix, demonstrating the studio's growing capabilities in producing high-quality theatrical animation. This follows a recent trend of streaming services increasing their involvement in the theatrical market, challenging the traditional studio dominance. The success of The Monkey King strongly suggests a lucrative future for Netflix in the theatrical animation space, potentially laying the groundwork for more ambitious and creatively daring projects in the years to come.

However, the longer-term success of The Monkey King will depend on its ability to maintain audience interest and positive reviews through its theatrical run. The film will be facing strong competition in the coming weeks from other major releases.

The impressive debut of The Monkey King signifies a pivotal moment for animated films, suggesting a growing demand for diverse and culturally rich stories. It signals the increasing acceptance of non-Western animation narratives in mainstream US cinema and the growing success of innovative approaches in animated filmmaking. The film's success is a strong indication that the market is ripe for diverse narratives and visual styles, potentially paving the way for more ambitious and inclusive animated projects in the future. The industry will be watching closely to see how The Monkey King continues to perform in the coming weeks.