One of 2026’s Best Horror Movies Finally Sets Streaming Release Date

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Get ready, horror lovers! The most exciting monster movie of the year is coming to streaming next week. It first appeared in theaters on January 9th, and it’s surprisingly fun – especially considering it’s from Johannes Roberts, the director of the popular horror film, 47 Meters Down.

Featuring Johnny Sequoyah (known from Dexter: New Blood), Jessica Alexander (The Beauty, The Little Mermaid), and Oscar winner Troy Kotsur (CODA, Black Rabbit), this thrilling horror movie follows a group of friends on a Hawaiian vacation. Their relaxing trip quickly turns into a nightmare when a crazed chimpanzee starts attacking them. They must use their wits to survive the animal’s increasingly dangerous and erratic behavior before it’s too late.

With its impressive practical effects, strong acting, and a fantastic synth soundtrack reminiscent of 90s horror films, Primate is shaping up to be one of the most enjoyable movie experiences of the year. After a successful month on other digital platforms, you’ll be able to stream it on Paramount+ starting next Wednesday, March 25th.

‘Primate’ Is a Nod to Some of Horror’s Greatest Movies

What makes Primate so effective is its intensely claustrophobic atmosphere, reminiscent of a horror film. Even though the story takes place in a large house, most of the action is confined to one location: a swimming pool. The presence of a crazed chimpanzee naturally draws comparisons to movies like Cujo or The Descent, and according to Roberts, that was intentional.

He shared with The Gate that he’s a big fan of thrillers confined to one location, especially ‘siege’ movies. Growing up, he loved the films of John Carpenter, whom he considers one of the greats, and he specifically praised Cujo as a standout example of the genre. He went on to explain that, at its core, 47 Meters Down is essentially Cujo, but with sharks instead of a rabid dog.

The location is perfect for a horror film. I’m a big fan of the genre, and though I don’t intentionally reference directors like Carpenter, King, or Friedkin, I’m fascinated by their techniques. I don’t want to be overly obvious about it, but I’d love to experiment with some of the things they did.

Consider the mission accomplished – Primate successfully creates the same gripping tension you’d find in its favorite horror films. You’ll likely find yourself shouting warnings at the screen, desperately trying to help the characters – and that’s exactly what a great horror movie should do.

Will There Ever Be a ‘Primate 2’?


Paramount Pictures

Despite a $21 million production budget, the film Primate earned $41 million in theaters – a strong result for an original movie not based on pre-existing characters or stories. Critics gave it a ‘Certified Fresh’ rating of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences scored it at 71%.

So, will we ever see a sequel to Primate? Although Paramount and director Roberts haven’t officially announced anything, Roberts hinted to Film Stories that a Primate 2 could happen eventually. We wouldn’t be shocked if it did! In the meantime, you can watch Primate when it becomes available on Paramount+ starting March 25th.




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2026-03-19 18:36