Monkey Business

Between the constant churn of new releases, Monkey Business in the US on YouTube TV and Hoopla is the comedy actually worth stopping for. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch it for Cary Grant — stay for everyone else around them. Available now on YouTube TV — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Monkey Business is worth clearing space for. Monkey Business gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. Research chemist Barnaby Fulton works on a fountain of youth pill for a chemical company. One of the labs chimps gets loose in the laboratory and mixes chemicals, but then pours the mix into the water cooler. When trying one of his own samples, washed down with water from the cooler, Fulton begins to act just like a twenty-year-old and believes his potion is working. Between them, Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers carry the comedy without ever forcing it. It was released in 1952. The timing in Monkey Business is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in Monkey Business. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Cary Grant anchors an ensemble with real chemistry. Genuinely funny, consistently, across the whole run.

Monkey Business was released in 1952, directed by Howard Hawks. The full 97-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.