Monk is on the case!: Here’s everything we know about the Monk movie

Updated Nov. 8, 2023 – If you were a fan of the Monk television series like me back in the early 2000s, then we’re in for a treat my friend! A follow-up film, Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie, is officially happening and coming our way this December!

Andy Breckman was the genius behind creating, writing, and executive producing the show. And thankfully, that same creative mind is helming the production. Breckman take son those same duties for the reunion movie.

When is it coming out? Who stars in the film? What is it all about? So many questions! And we’re here to answer them for you. Read on below to find out all the details about the upcoming movie.

Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie release date and where to watch

If you’re a homebody who prefers to enjoy watching films at home, then you’re in luck. You won’t need to head to the theaters to check out the production. Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie makes its streaming debut Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 on Peacock.

Those of you without a subscription can do so for $5.99/month with ads or $11.99/month without ads. What’s great about a Friday release is that night owls can begin watching late at night, and sleep in for the weekend. Or if you start it late on Friday, you have the weekend to check it out.

New movies on Peacock typically release at 12 a.m. PT /3 a.m. ET. That would be a 2 a.m. CT release time for those of you in the Midwest. While a later time for everyone else, that’s not too late for you West Coasters. Films are also typically 90 minutes, so you’ll be in bed by 1:30 a.m. PT. I mean if I was on the West Coast, I’d definitely stay up to watch!

Monk’s last case: What the new film is all about and why you should watch it

Though we now have a trailer to give us more information on what we can expect, the streamer isn’t sharing much information on what the movie is about. But, we do have a logline! It’s going to focus on the titular character, Adrian Monk, who’s happy to come back and solve one more mystery as it involves his “beloved stepdaughter,” per the synopsis. Check out the description shared by Peacock below:

"Monk returns to solve one last, very personal case involving his beloved stepdaughter Molly, a journalist preparing for her wedding."

On Nov. 8, 2023, the platform shared the official trailer. It features our favorite character, Monk, back in action, shows us a look at his stepdaughter Molly, and a small glimpse at this one and final case he’s going to handle. Check out the video below:

I know reboots and sequels just don’t work most of the time, and it can be frustrating as a fan of a show or movie. Those hits are hits for a reason and should be left alone. However, sometimes they do work. And I think the Monk movie is going to be worth watching and checking out. First of all, the series was so popular when it aired on the USA Network. And though it ran for eight seasons, it didn’t feel like the story was stretched out. And though it came to a satisfying end (more on that below), it can be fun to see the cast members come back for one more adventure.

And that’s what it seems like is going to happen in the film! Hence, my second reason. Based on the title of the production, Mr. Monk’s Last Case, the story is going to officially conclude with this movie. This hasn’t been confirmed, but the title and logline certainly seem to indicate that this is simply a reunion movie, and it’s going to be the end. Again like I mentioned before. Hits should remain untouched, with maybe a follow-up film. And then, just let them remain in their glory the way we remember them.

Cast: Who’s returning and new?

The great news is that there’s actually many cast members coming back to reprise their roles! Of course there’s Monk himself, Tony Shalhoub. The actor has been a part of many movies and shows, as well as stage work. In his career so far, he’s earned five Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, six Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Tony Award.

Another familiar face we’re going to see is Melora Hardin as Monk’s wife Trudy Monk. The actress was a main guest star on the show, appearing in many episodes throughout the years. After all, the premise of the series and what drives the main character is her loss and the mystery surrounding her death. I wonder how she’ll play a role in the film! We shared the full cast list below:

Returning cast

• Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk
• Melora Hardin as Trudy Monk
• Ted Levine as Captain Leland Stottlemeyer
• Jason Gray-Stanford as Lieutenant Randy Disher
• Traylor Howard as Natalie Teeger
• Héctor Elizondo as Dr. Neven Bell

New cast members

• Caitlin McGee as Molly Evans, Monk’s stepdaughter (Alona Tal previously played the role, but is now being replaced with McGee for unknown reasons)
• James Purefoy as Rick Eden

SPOILERS: A refresher on the Monk series (and where to watch)

The Monk series premiered in 2009 and ran for eight seasons, coming to an end in 2012. That means the mystery comedy-drama has a total of 125 episodes. All eight seasons are streaming on both Peacock and Prime Video. So it’s very convenient that the movie is also going to be streaming on Peacock upon its release.

The story was all about Adrian Monk, a very smart detective who has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). His wife Trudy is killed after a bomb was planted in her car. This causes Monk to shut himself off from the world following his nervous breakdown. After a while though, he decides to accept a position as private detective and consultant for the police department to solve the mystery of who was behind the death of his wife.

SPOILERS on how Monk ends below

That question was the series-long question that we were all waiting to find out for eight seasons! The USA Network original’s finale, “Mr. Monk and the End,” finally revealed the answer to its viewers. The one who murdered Trudy was Judge Ethan Rickover, who Trudy had an affair with before she met Monk. And after all that time, we saw how the titular character was able to solve the mystery he’d been working so hard to figure out.

It turns out Trudy got pregnant from Ethan, who she thought had died. But the show had another twist coming our way – the baby is actually alive and is a 26-year-old Molly Evans. Monk also meets his stepdaughter in the finale. And it seems like we’re going to get more story with this duo in the upcoming film!

Check out the cast in the first-look images below!

Stay tuned to Hidden Remote as we bring you updates about the upcoming film! The Monk movie begins streaming Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 on Peacock.