Among all the magnificent monsters in movies, one towering ape has captivated audiences for almost a century. No film character compares to King Kong, and regardless of how often his tale is retold, people continue to be drawn to it again and again.
The genesis of King Kong, the iconic movie monster, dates back to World War I and blossomed in the heart of Hollywood. The brains behind this titan was director Merian C. Cooper, while animator Willis O’Brien breathed life into him. Since then, Kong has graced our screens in 13 films spanning both live action and animation, and remains as popular as ever. If you’re eager to witness the best of this franchise, have a look at our King Kong movie rankings. However, for a comprehensive viewing experience, it would be advisable to start from the beginning and journey through the series to the contemporary films in a marathon fashion. Here’s an overview of what that marathon entails:
“King Kong” (1933)
“Son of Kong” (1933)
“King Kong vs. Godzilla” (1962)
“King Kong Escapes” (1967)
“King Kong” (1976)
“King Kong Lives” (1986)
“The Mighty Kong” (1998)
“Kong: King of Atlantis” (2005)
“King Kong” (2005)
“Kong: Return to the Jungle” (2006)
“Kong: Skull Island” (2017)
“Godzilla vs. Kong” (2021)
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” (2024)
Why is that the correct order to watch King Kong movies?
The “King Kong” film series stands apart due to its longstanding history. While the initial release dates back almost a century, the series doesn’t have a tightly knit narrative. Interestingly, about one-third of the Kong films are reinterpretations of the original tale, and his collaborative movies with Godzilla often share similar storylines, leading to repetitive scenes when viewed collectively.
The positive aspect is that by rewatching this series, you’ll find the repetition pays off handsomely. Viewing all films sequentially will allow you to observe Kong’s transformation as a character over time. Moreover, it offers a unique perspective on how Kong’s story has changed in various cultural periods. Despite the 1933 film and its 2005 remake sharing the same narrative, Peter Jackson’s three-hour version presents a distinctly different experience compared to the original black-and-white production. If you don’t plan on watching every movie in the series, we’ll discuss alternative viewing orders later, but experiencing the entire franchise chronologically can be an incredibly enriching journey.
King Kong (1933)
1933 was a remarkable year for me, as I found myself captivated by the cinematic wonder known as “King Kong.” This groundbreaking film made its grand entrance into a New York City theater and left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness for generations to follow. As a fan of Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Shoedsack’s visionary direction, I was mesmerized by their innovative approach to filmmaking.
“King Kong” was truly revolutionary in its time. It pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible with an ingenious blend of practical special effects and stop-motion animation. The action sequences they created were almost beyond comprehension for most audiences, making “King Kong” a cinematic experience like no other.
The narrative centers around a character named Ann Darrow, portrayed by Fay Wray, who’s engaged in a movie project with director Carl Denham, played by Robert Armstrong. They venture to Skull Island for on-site filming, but upon arrival, locals seize Ann for a ritual sacrifice to the colossal King Kong. Later, Ann is rescued, King Kong is captured, and the entire production relocates to New York City. However, Kong manages to break free, commencing his famous ascent of the Empire State Building, thereby cementing himself in cinematic history.
Son of Kong (1933)
It’s common knowledge among movie enthusiasts that King Kong scaled the Empire State Building, but not many can discuss what his offspring was doing at that moment. The original “King Kong” film became a sensation when it premiered in 1933, and its sequel was quickly produced and released the same year. A mere nine months after watching “King Kong,” viewers found themselves following up on the events post-New York City rampage. However, this brief interval proved insufficient for creating an exceptional sequel.
The sequel film primarily revolves around the character Carl Denham from the original, with Robert Armstrong reprising his role. Denham finds himself in a whirlwind of legal issues and public backlash following the urban appearance of a colossal, rampaging ape. In an attempt to escape his predicament, he ventures back to Skull Island, where he discovers a smaller ape that Denham suspects is Kong’s offspring. Unfortunately, this young ape fails to make it back home, but forms a distinctive bond with Denham during their struggle for survival on the island. Regrettably, the events portrayed in this film failed to capture the same level of acclaim as its predecessor, leading “Son of Kong” to be met with disappointment by both audiences and critics alike, which could explain why Kong remained absent from the big screen for many years that followed.
King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
Following “Son of Kong,” it appeared as though the “King Kong” series had met its end. However, the character made a triumphant return in the 1960s through Ishirō Honda’s film “King Kong vs. Godzilla.” Initially, this concept was conceived under the title “King Kong vs. Frankenstein,” an idea that was first proposed by Willis O’Brien, the original animator for “King Kong.” Regrettably, the movie itself never came to fruition; yet, the concept of a cinematic showdown lived on, eventually finding its way to Japan where Honda — a director known for his “Godzilla” movies — embraced it.
As a gamer, I can tell you that for the first time ever, “King Kong vs. Godzilla” burst these iconic beasts into vibrant colors on screen. The movie by Honda, however, took a different approach from the traditional stop-motion technique. Instead, it utilized lifelike costumes and intricately designed miniature sets to bring our titans to life.
In this epic tale, a cunning pharmaceutical tycoon devises a plan to capture King Kong for his company’s gain, creating quite the buzz. Coincidentally, around the same time an American sub accidentally crashes into an iceberg, unleashing Godzilla from his slumber. As chaos ensues in Japan with Godzilla on a rampage, our heroic Kong gets his chance to shine and takes down Godzilla decisively, quelling the whispers of doubt.
King Kong Escapes (1967)
King Kong Escape” – This is the second film on the colossal ape, helmed by director Ishirō Honda, a follow-up to “King Kong vs. Godzilla.” However, unlike its predecessor, this 1967 production operates in a distinct narrative realm. While it shares some plot elements with the animated series “The King Kong Show,” which debuted in 1966 and introduces King Kong interacting with an array of eccentric characters – from cunning scientists to other colossal creatures – the movies largely stand on their own.
In this film, a villainous scientist named Dr. Who (Hideyo Amamoto) has constructed a mechanical counterpart to King Kong, which he refers to as Mechani-Kong. Dr. Who intends to utilize Mechani-Kong to secure a hazardous mineral called Element X from the North Pole; however, the radiation emanating from the element causes damage to part of Mechani-Kong’s brain. As a fallback option, Dr. Who attempts to capture the authentic Kong, but predictably, this plan also doesn’t yield the desired results for the eccentric scientist. By the movie’s conclusion, Kong and Mechani-Kong are engaged in combat, perpetuating the tradition of titanic monster clashes that characterized all of Honda’s kaiju films.
King Kong (1976)
Approximately half a century following the groundbreaking release of “King Kong,” Paramount Pictures endeavored to replicate its success. Collaborating with producer Dino De Laurentiis and director John Guillermin, they sought to modernize the classic film, setting King Kong in the 1970s. In this remake, Charles Grodin portrays Fred Wilson, an oil magnate planning an expedition to a previously uncharted island in the Indian Ocean. Jeff Bridges stars as Jack Prescott, a paleontologist raising concerns about rumors of a ferocious monster residing on the island. The crew’s voyage unexpectedly intercepts a life raft carrying an actress named Dwan (Jessica Lange), who had been aboard a director’s yacht close to the island prior to its sinking.
After every character is introduced and sent towards Skull Island, the movie largely follows the same rhythm as the original. In this version, King Kong gets captured and transported to New York City, only to break free and ascend the World Trade Center towers with Dwan clutched in his hand. Since it didn’t introduce many fresh elements, the 1976 film “King Kong” isn’t often recalled fondly. The movie boasted a talented cast, but it wasn’t well-received by critics or Kong enthusiasts.
King Kong Lives (1986)
Dino De Laurentiis and John Guillermin collaborated again for a follow-up to their “King Kong” remake. Despite the titular ape seemingly perishing at the end of the initial film, a clever retcon was employed to carry on his tale. However, the quality of the sequel, titled “King Kong Lives”, unfortunately mirrored that of its predecessors and even surpassed them in terms of being poorly received. Critics and viewers generally agreed that “King Kong Lives” was inferior to “Son of Kong” and could potentially be the most disappointing film within the entire series.
In the opening scene of this film, we learn that Kong didn’t perish at the conclusion of “King Kong.” Instead, a team of scientists from the Atlantic Institute have been maintaining him in a coma for ten years. However, Kong is now critically ill and requires a heart transplant and blood transfusion to survive. As they strive to save Kong’s life, these researchers unexpectedly find a female ape, who becomes known as Lady Kong. Through her assistance, the scientists manage to execute the required surgeries on Kong, but the two apes subsequently break free from the facility. The bond between the Kongs is the primary focus of the movie, although it falls short in comparison to the themes explored in earlier “King Kong” films.
The Mighty Kong (1998)
Throughout the years, multiple adaptations of “King Kong” have surfaced, yet none are as unusual as “Mighty Kong,” released in 1998. This film essentially reenacts the events portrayed in the 1933 movie. Characters Ann Darrow, played by Jodi Benson, and Carl Denham, acted by Dudley Moore, return to their leading roles. In a quest for cinematic greatness, they encounter Kong, as before. Similar to the original tale, they transport Kong back to America, and he climbs the Empire State Building with Ann in tow.
As a devoted fan, I can tell you that “The Mighty Kong” is more than just the first full-length animated film in the series; it’s an unprecedented chapter that stands out in the vast “King Kong” universe. What truly makes this movie unique is its musical nature. If you’ve ever dreamt of witnessing Kong break into song and dance across New York City, then this is your moment. While “The Mighty Kong” may not have scaled the heights of any other film in the franchise, it certainly offers a bizarre yet captivating twist on the timeless tale.
Kong: King of Atlantis (2005) / Kong: Return to the Jungle (2006)
In the vast array of content related to the “King Kong” saga, it’s easy to miss out on “Kong: The Animated Series.” This animated show premiered back in 2000 and managed to air two separate seasons of 20 episodes each within just a short span of time. The narrative revolves around a character named Jason Jenkins (portrayed by Kirby Morrow). In the original story, his grandmother manages to clone Kong after the ape falls from the Empire State Building, which is where our series picks up.
The animated film titled “Kong: King of Atlantis” was the second full-length Kong movie featuring animation, and it marked the initial movie tie-in for the series. In this storyline, the city of Atlantis resurfaces, and the malevolent Queen Reptilla hatches a wicked plan to make Kong the ruler of her underwater domain. A year after this, viewers of the show were treated to “Kong: Back to the Jungle.” This movie’s narrative revolves around Kong being captured and relocated to a unique zoo for the first time in his life. To blend in as a regular wild animal, he must act normally until his companions can locate and save him.
King Kong (2005)
If you believed that one remake and a musical were sufficient adaptations of “King Kong,” you’d be surprised. In 2005, another rendition of the classic film hit screens, offering several unique aspects. This version boasted an impressive ensemble cast including Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, Jack Black, and Andy Serkis, who brought Kong to life through motion capture technology. Peter Jackson, renowned for his work on “The Lord of the Rings,” directed this movie, and his signature visually stunning scenes were prominently displayed.
The grandeur Jackson brought to Skull Island’s visuals isn’t limited to its scenic shots; this grandness extends to the movie itself. With a whopping runtime of 3 hours and 7 minutes, and an astronomical budget exceeding $200 million, “King Kong” was a colossal endeavor. The high costs forced Jackson to personally cover a $20 million expense to finish the film. Despite these substantial investments, it proved worthwhile. The film grossed over half a billion dollars at the box office and garnered three Oscars, making it one of the most acclaimed films in the entire “King Kong” series from a critical standpoint.
Kong: Skull Island (2017)
In contrast to Peter Jackson’s remake of “King Kong” in the 2000s, it was not that film that marked a fresh start for the character of Kong. Instead, that distinction belongs to the 2017 release, “Kong: Skull Island.” Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, this film aimed to reintroduce Kong’s story with a fresh perspective. Unlike its predecessor which focused on transporting Kong to New York, “Skull Island” is set entirely on the titular island and makes a concerted effort to integrate Kong into a larger cinematic universe.
As a gamer, I’ve always heard tales about Skull Island, but it was just another legendary Kong story in my books. However, when John Goodman’s character Bill Randa came along with Monarch, a group dedicated to unraveling global mysteries like colossal beasts and the hidden Hollow Earth beneath our familiar world, I found myself intrigued.
Bill proposed an expedition to Skull Island, promising to chart uncharted territories. Little did we know that this journey would lead us to a realm teeming with ferocious creatures unlike anything we’ve ever encountered before – a testament to the wonders of evolution.
The film predominantly revolves around Bill’s team battling for survival against the menacing wildlife of Skull Island, yet they encounter Kong along their journey and realize his potential as a formidable ally for mankind. While “Skull Island” didn’t garner as much critical praise as Jackson’s 2005 film, it managed to captivate more audiences and join the ranks of the second “King Kong” production to gross over half a billion dollars at the box office.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
50 years after their initial screen encounter, King Kong and Godzilla met again for battle in the fittingly titled “Godzilla vs. Kong.” This movie expands upon the Monsterverse concept introduced in 2014’s “Godzilla,” “Kong: Skull Island,” and 2017’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters.” Remarkably, “Godzilla vs. Kong” can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of the connecting films, and it essentially serves as the first authentic Monsterverse film.
Five years past, an epic clash between Godzilla and King Ghidorah left the world on edge, unleashing colossal creatures known as Titans worldwide. The ensuing turmoil has shaken the planet to its core, prompting the global research organization Monarch to delve into their findings about Titans and the mysterious Hollow Earth in search of a solution to save mankind.
In ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’, the Monsterverse broadened significantly and included numerous subtle details that become apparent upon rewatching. The film offered an exciting blend of Titan battles alongside intricate lore, which contributed to its success both commercially and critically. Fans of Godzilla and King Kong were thrilled with the movie, and when a sequel was announced, they rejoiced at the prospect of seeing these titans battle again without having to wait for decades.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
Three years following their epic confrontation in “Godzilla vs. Kong,” we find ourselves in “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” where these iconic titans unite once more. In this sequel, the narrative primarily revolves around Kong, as we rejoin him post his fight with Mechagodzilla from the previous film. Living harmoniously in Hollow Earth, Kong’s tranquility is disrupted when a fissure emerges, revealing an even deeper secret realm hidden beneath our planet’s surface. It is here that he encounters a community of his own kind. However, as Kong becomes acquainted with them, he swiftly perceives their intentions for the world above are not benevolent.
The sequel known as “The New Empire” expands upon the connected universe of monsters introduced in earlier films. Your appreciation for it could depend on your level of engagement with that particular world. Unfortunately, the film received a relatively low score of 54% on Rotten Tomatoes. Conversely, “Godzilla x Kong” is the highest-earning film in the series and was highly praised by fans, who gave it an impressive 89% rating. For some diehard fans, this could be considered the peak of King Kong’s cinematic experience.
What are other ways to watch the King Kong movies?
King Kong boasts a rich and extensive history, yet there’s no rule that you must watch the movies sequentially. In fact, it could be advantageous to divide the franchise into several mini-series, distinguishing the original films from the Japanese Toho productions to the contemporary Monsterverse movies.
The original movies for film history buffs:
King Kong (1933)
Son of Kong (1933)
The Toho films for classic monster-on-monster action:
King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
King Kong Escapes (1967)
The modernized remakes:
King Kong (1976)
King Kong (2005)
The Monsterverse movies:
Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
The ill-fated sequel and the bizarre animated movies:
King Kong Lives (1986)
The Mighty Kong (1998)
Kong: King of Atlantis (2005)
Kong: Return to the Jungle (2006)
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2025-06-08 17:32