Chimp Fascinated Watching King Kong On A Phone

Zoos are full of curious sights, but sometimes it’s the animals who end up watching us. In this unusual encounter, a chimpanzee found himself glued not to his habitat or his visitors, but to a movie playing on a smartphone. And not just any movie — King Kong.

From behind the glass of the observation window, the chimp leaned forward, eyes locked on the tiny screen. As the action unfolded, he adjusted his posture, shifting around to get a clearer view, almost like a human settling into a couch before movie night. The longer the clip played, the more fascinated he seemed — his focus unwavering, his body language showing just how engrossed he was in the movie.

There was something both hilarious and striking about the moment: a chimp, one of our closest relatives, watching a fictional giant ape as though recognizing something familiar. Whether he understood the plot or simply found the movement and sounds engaging, the reaction was undeniable.

Watch the video below to see a chimp’s priceless reaction to the big-screen classic.

💡 Did You Know?

Chimpanzees are remarkably intelligent primates, sharing about 98–99% of their DNA with humans. This close genetic relationship explains many of their behaviors that feel strikingly familiar to us — including curiosity about objects, mimicry, and even an interest in human technology.

In the wild, chimps use tools to crack nuts, fish termites out of mounds, and gather water. In captivity, they often display curiosity toward human belongings, including books, mirrors, and yes — screens. Researchers have documented chimps watching videos and recognizing patterns, sometimes even showing preferences for certain types of content.

Their ability to interpret images is tied to advanced cognitive skills. Chimps can recognize faces, follow plots in simple videos, and even remember sequences they’ve seen before. While they may not grasp a full movie narrative like humans do, they are highly responsive to movement, sound, and emotional cues on screen.

Moments like this highlight just how close chimps are to us in both behavior and perception. Seeing one settle in to watch King Kong is amusing, but it’s also a reminder of the deep connections we share with our primate cousins — from curiosity to entertainment.