Upcoming Stephen King Movie Adaptation Is Like The Horror Spinoff To Toy Story I Never Knew I Needed

An upcoming movie adaptation of a Stephen King short story comes off as an unofficial spin-off to Toy Story that I never thought I needed. Since Stephen King has written over 60 books and dabbled in myriad genres with his knack for fictional storytelling, traces of his work can be found in pretty much every corner of pop culture. Owing to this, it is not surprising that even the Toy Story movies feature several subtle references to his work.

For instance, the carpet in Sid’s house in the first Toy Story movie has the same pattern as the one in The Shining‘s Overlook Hotel. Even the number 237 keeps appearing throughout Toy Story 3, which is also a nod to The Shining‘s Room No. 237. Despite these references, however, the Toy Story films are worlds apart from Stephen King’s horror in tone and content. Owing to this, it is hard not to be intrigued by the idea that an upcoming Stephen King movie adaptation seems like a horror Toy Story spin-off.

Like Toy Story, Stephen King’s The Monkey Revolves Around A Sentient Toy

There’s More Than Meets The Eye To The Toy In Stephen King’s The Monkey

Stephen King’s short story, The Monkey, is getting a live-action movie adaptation, directed by Oz Pekins and produced by James Wan. The fact the movie is based on a Stephen King story and is helmed by Oz Perkins is enough to bring enough credibility to it. However, for me, what makes it even more intriguing is that it comes off as a spiritual horror spin-off to the Toy Story films. The Monkey, as its title suggests, revolves around a cursed cymbal-banging monkey toy that brings misfortune and terror to those possessing it.

While Toy Story uses its toy characters as narrative devices to tell stories about the power of hope, friendship, and imagination, The Monkey brings a dark spin to the same narrative by exploring themes of death and fear with its central toy character. Unlike the toys from Toy Story, the cymbal-banging monkey from the Stephen King story is more cursed than sentient. However, it reminds me of one of the most terrifying scenes from Toy Story 3, where a monkey toy uses its cymbals to bash Woody’s head when Woody tries to sneak past it.

The Toy In Stephen King’s The Monkey Puts A Dark Twist On Toy Story’s Characters

The Monkey’s Central Toy Is The Opposite Of Friendly

Several horror movies like Annabelle, The Boy, and Child’s Play have portrayed toys as the bearers of unimaginable evil. Even Oz Perkins’ Longlegs uses a cursed doll as a primary driver of many of its narrative elements. Owing to this, the novelty surrounding dolls being the carriers of dread and terror has significantly dwindled over the years. When it comes to other toys, like a cymbal-banging monkey, however, I still cannot help but associate them with childhood innocence and joy, which is something toys like Woody and Buzz represent in the Toy Story movies.

The fact that The Monkey will shatter this image by highlighting the underlying malevolence in the central toy adds a fresh and intriguing twist to the horror sub-genre, allowing one to see a different side of the toys from the children’s movie franchise. Toy Story, too, has pushed boundaries sometimes with its disturbing portrayal of toys gone awry. However, the films have always been playful with their approach, which, for obvious reasons, cannot be expected from The Monkey. A Toy Story horror spin-off may never happen, but the Stephen King adaptation’s dark spin on toy characters offers an exciting alternative.

The Monkey

Adapted from the story of the same name by Stephen King, The Monkey is a horror mystery film that follows twin brothers Hal and Bill, who discover a mysterious monkey toy in their father’s attic that seems tied to several grizzly deaths. After years apart, the twins learn that similar deaths have begun again and must reunite to destroy the monkey.

Director

Osgood Perkins

Release Date

February 21, 2025

Studio(s)

Atomic Monster

Cast

Theo James , Elijah Wood , Tatiana Maslany , Rohan Campbell , Christian Convery , Sarah Levy