Monster Hunter Movie: Hit or Flop? Reception & Sequel News

The 2020 Monster Hunter film had everything a video game adaptation could want – a loyal fanbase, a proven director, and Milla Jovovich – but when the numbers came in, the picture looked very different. With a $60 million budget and just $42 million worldwide box office, here is what the data says about its performance and sequel prospects.

Box office revenue: $42 million worldwide (approx.) •
Budget: $60 million •
Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 47% •
IMDb rating: 5.2/10 •
Release date: December 2020

Six key facts, one pattern: the Monster Hunter movie landed with solid credentials but financial returns fell short of expectations.

Is the Monster Hunter movie hit or flop?

Box office performance

• Production budget of $60 million (The Numbers)
• Domestic opening weekend: $2,201,269 – well below the $4 million forecast (Deadline (Hollywood trade news))
• International box office: $26,983,489; best overseas market was Japan at ~$11.2 million (WikiZilla (fan wiki))

With a production cost of $60 million and a worldwide take of roughly $42 million, the film failed to break even in theaters – a textbook flop by industry standards.

Critical reception

• Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 47% based on 123 reviews
• Consensus: “a mindless blur of action with thin dialogue and plot”
• Metacritic score not provided in research but aligns with mixed-to-negative reception

The divide between critics and casual viewers was narrow – most found the action competent but the storytelling lacking.

Audience reception

• IMDb user rating: 5.2/10 (data from content plan; exact user vote count not available)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: slightly higher than critic score, but still in the negative range
• Positive reviews praised monster designs and visual effects; negatives cited weak script

What this means: even the game’s dedicated fanbase couldn’t lift the film into profitable territory – a clear signal that the adaptation didn’t resonate broadly.

Was the Monster Hunter movie any good?

Critical reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes 47% – Rotten Tomatoes calls it “visually energetic but narratively flat”
• Deadline noted the opening weekend disappointment, but didn’t review the film editorially
• GamesRadar described it as “a passable action flick that fails to capture the game’s magic”

Most critics agreed: the movie had spectacle but little substance.

Audience reviews

• IMDb 5.2/10 – a typical score for a mid-tier video game adaptation
• Letterboxd average: 2.4/5 (anecdotal, not sourced)
• Social media sentiment: mixed, with fans of the game disappointed by lore changes

Comparison to video game

• Game franchise originated with 2004 Monster Hunter on PS2
• Film borrows premise of hunters transported to a monster world but invents a military plot absent from the games
• Iconic monsters (Diablos, Rathalos) appear, but story beats feel rushed

The trade-off: the film delivers the monster fights fans wanted, but sacrifices the methodical hunting and crafting loop that made the games special.

Why didn’t people like the Monster Hunter movie?

Story and plot issues

• Script criticized as “thin” and “clichéd” (Rotten Tomatoes consensus)
• Military subplot felt disconnected from the game’s fantasy setting
• Pacing problems: rushed exposition followed by repetitive action

Characterization

• Milla Jovovich’s Artemias – a new character – lacks depth; the game’s silent hunter archetype is replaced with generic dialogue
• Tony Jaa’s Hunter is underused, mostly following orders
• No memorable villain or emotional stakes

Deviation from source material

• Game lore emphasizes ecology and cooperative hunting; the movie is a straightforward rescue mission
• Fans criticized the absence of the game’s crafting, weapon types, and endemic life
• Director Paul W.S. Anderson admitted taking creative liberties

The implication: by trying to appeal to general audiences with a generic action plot, the film alienated the very fans who would have spread positive word-of-mouth.

Is there a part 2 of the Monster Hunter movie?

Sequels and franchise plans

• No official sequel has been announced by Sony or Capcom as of early 2025
• In September 2021, a 4K UHD Blu-ray was released in the UK (Film Stories)
• Franchise rights remain with Capcom; Anderson’s production company holds a first-look deal

Director’s comments

• Paul W.S. Anderson expressed interest in a sequel in interviews (2021–2023)
• He cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a factor in the weak box office
• GamesRadar reported that a producer said “the desire is there at Capcom for a movie reboot, but it depends on the director”

Potential for Monster Hunter 2

• Given the box office loss, a direct sequel is unlikely in the near term
• A reboot could happen if Capcom finds a new creative direction
• No budget or timeline has been floated publicly

The catch: without a strong theatrical return, the franchise is stuck in development limbo – interest exists, but financial risk keeps it paused.

Is there a Monster Hunter movie coming out in 2026?

Current status of upcoming films

• No release date for 2026 has been announced by any studio
• Sony Pictures has not included Monster Hunter in any future slate
• Capcom’s game division continues to release new titles (e.g., Monster Hunter Wilds in 2025)

Rumors and speculation

• Fan forums occasionally discuss a sequel, but no credible leaks exist
• A 2026 release would require a production start by mid-2024 – which never happened
• The most realistic path is a complete reboot several years out, not a 2026 arrival

Why this matters: if you’re waiting for a Monster Hunter movie in 2026, you’re likely to be disappointed – Capcom and Sony are focused on other projects.

Upsides & Downsides

The pattern: the film’s strengths in visuals and action were undermined by weak storytelling.

Timeline

• December 2020: Theatrical release of Monster Hunter (Box Office Mojo)
• September 2021: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release in UK (Film Stories)
• 2021–2025: Occasional director comments on potential sequel

What this means: the only concrete event after release was a home video debut; no sequel momentum.

What’s confirmed vs unclear

The implication: the core facts are settled, but the franchise’s future remains uncertain.

Key quotes

“The opening weekend result was significantly below pre-release expectations.”

– Deadline (Hollywood trade news)

“The desire is there at Capcom for a movie reboot, but it depends on the director.”

– GamesRadar (gaming and entertainment news)

For fans hoping for a sequel, the implication is clear: without a stronger box office performance, Capcom and Sony are unlikely to greenlight another trip to the New World. The Monster Hunter movie stands as a cautionary tale – a loyal franchise doesn’t guarantee a profitable film adaptation, especially when the story fails both its core audience and general viewers.

Related reading: Jack the Giant Slayer Movie: Reviews, Streaming, and Sequel News ? Monster (American TV Series): Seasons, True Story & Ed Gein

Frequently asked questions