Monkey Business

Monkey Business

Year: 1952

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: English

Comedy

Research chemist Barnaby Fulton is developing a fountain‑of‑youth pill for his chemical company. When a lab chimp escapes, it contaminates a mixture that ends up in the water cooler. After drinking the water, Fulton feels twenty again and is convinced the formula works. His newfound youthful behavior spreads, causing his wife and his boss to act like children as chaos ensues.

Monkey Business (1952) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the gleaming corridors of Oxly Chemicals, the pursuit of a miracle drug is more than a corporate goal—it’s a personal obsession. Barnaby Fulton, an absent‑minded research chemist with a wistful yearning for a fountain‑of‑youth, spends his days tinkering with a secret formula that promises to turn back the clock. His world is a blend of lab coats, beakers, and boardroom whispers, where the pressure to deliver a blockbuster keeps the fluorescent lights buzzing and the ambition humming. Around him, a cast of characters adds color: the profit‑driven boss Oliver Oxly, whose eyes are fixed on the market potential, and the ever‑supportive wife Edwina Fulton, whose patience masks her own dormant desires.

A mischievous laboratory chimp named Esther introduces an unexpected twist when a careless escape leads her to tinker with a beaker and inadvertently sprinkle its contents into the office water cooler. The single sip of that tainted water becomes a catalyst, igniting a sudden surge of youthful vigor that catches Barnaby off guard. The film teases the idea that a simple drink can dissolve the weight of years, setting the stage for a light‑hearted exploration of what happens when adulthood is momentarily replaced by the reckless optimism of youth.

The tone of Monkey Business balances slapstick charm with a gentle satire of corporate culture and midlife malaise. As the rejuvenating effect ripples outward, the once‑staid environment begins to crack, hinting at a day where serious suits might swap spreadsheets for playground antics and polished routines give way to spontaneous mischief. The premise invites audiences to wonder how far the characters will let this fleeting restoration of vitality carry them, promising a comedy that revels in the chaos of rediscovering the joy of being young again—without revealing how the story ultimately resolves.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:38

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Movies with Whimsical Scientific Mishaps like Monkey Business

When a well-intentioned experiment goes hilariously and chaotically wrong.If you enjoyed the hilarious chaos of Monkey Business, you'll love these movies where scientific experiments go comically awry. These films share a lighthearted tone, fast pacing, and a focus on the silly, disruptive fun that ensues when science breaks loose.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a straightforward cause-and-effect chain: a scientific discovery or accident leads directly to a series of escalating, comedic events. Characters react to the bizarre new reality, often regressing to childlike behaviors or causing widespread, playful mayhem before order is restored.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared premise of science-fueled chaos, a whimsical and light tone, and a focus on physical comedy and situational humor. They deliver a consistent experience of carefree, silly fun without deep emotional stakes.

Movies about Mid-Life Rediscovery like Monkey Business

Staid adults break free from routine and rediscover their playful side.Fans of Monkey Business will appreciate these films about adults who break free from their mundane routines. These stories capture the joyful chaos of rediscovering youth, often through a fantastical premise that leads to childlike behavior and renewed relationships.

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Narrative Summary

The journey involves characters who are initially defined by responsibility and convention. An external catalyst—whether magical, scientific, or situational—disrupts their life, leading them to act out in exuberant, childlike ways. The arc typically ends with them integrating this newfound freedom into their mature lives, resulting in a happier, more balanced existence.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects movies through the central theme of adult reawakening and the specific emotional blend of nostalgic joy and playful liberation. The shared vibe is one of cathartic release from societal expectations, culminating in a hopeful, positive resolution.

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Monkey Business Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Monkey Business

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Monkey Business

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