"The Monkey" Achieves Second-Best Animated Film Opening With $12M-$14M

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Post on Feb 22, 2025

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'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' Sequel? 'The Monkey King' Swings to Box Office Success with Record-Breaking Animated Film Opening

Los Angeles, CA – Animation fans and critics alike are buzzing after "The Monkey King," the new animated film based on the classic Chinese legend, achieved a phenomenal box office opening. Initial estimates placed the film's weekend gross between $12 million and $14 million, ultimately settling at a robust $14.3 million. This makes it the second-highest-grossing animated film opening of 2023, behind only the juggernaut "The Super Mario Bros. Movie."

The impressive debut surpasses initial projections and marks a significant victory for Netflix Animation, which distributed the film theatrically. The strong opening weekend suggests a promising run for "The Monkey King," potentially challenging the dominance of family-friendly animation releases throughout the summer blockbuster season. Industry analysts are pointing to the film's stunning visuals, clever humor, and compelling storyline as key factors driving its success.

The film, directed by Anthony Stacchi, reimagines the classic story of Sun Wukong, the legendary Monkey King, with a vibrant and action-packed narrative that appeals to both children and adults. Critics have praised the film's faithfulness to the source material while simultaneously injecting fresh energy and contemporary sensibilities into the story. The voice cast, featuring a blend of established and rising stars like Stephanie Hsu and Bowen Yang, has also garnered positive attention for their spirited performances.

"The Monkey King's" box office performance challenges the notion that only Disney and Pixar can consistently deliver blockbuster animated films. The film’s success represents a significant milestone for Netflix Animation, signaling a growing presence and ambition in the theatrical animation market. While the studio has previously released successful animated features directly to its streaming service, this theatrical run demonstrates a strategic shift towards capturing a wider audience. The film’s positive critical reception and strong word-of-mouth are likely contributing to its continued success.

The impressive opening weekend for "The Monkey King" also underscores the growing appeal of culturally diverse animated films. By bringing a lesser-known piece of Chinese mythology to a broad audience, the film presents a unique and compelling narrative that stands out from the typical Hollywood fare. This could pave the way for more culturally diverse animated productions, broadening the landscape of family-friendly entertainment.

While the long-term performance remains to be seen, the opening weekend results indicate a promising future for "The Monkey King." The film's ability to attract diverse audiences and garner both critical acclaim and box office success positions it as a major player in the summer movie season. Further tracking data will be crucial in determining its overall success, but early indications point towards a considerable impact on the animation landscape. The Monkey King’s impressive debut might even spark conversations about a potential sequel.