Kong returned to the big screen in 2024's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. The film marks the third King Kong movie in the MonsterVerse and the 13th film in the long-running King Kong franchise, which dates back to the early ‘30s. As one of the most iconic figures in cinema history, Kong isn’t going anywhere any time soon. In fact, the MonsterVerse continues to expand with Godzilla x Kong: Supernova set for a 2027 release.
If you're looking to dive into the iconic kaiju’s entire filmography before his next entry, this guide explains how to watch every King Kong movie and TV show on platforms like HBO Max, Hulu, and more.
Original King Kong Movies
The King Kong film franchise began with King Kong (1933) and its sequel, The Son of Kong (1933). The films are a mixture of live-action and stop-motion and center on filmmaker Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong), who heads to Skull Island to find the legendary, giant gorilla Kong. Given the time period, some of the special effects and acting are outdated in these movies. However, they also capture a charm, campiness, and even creepiness not often replicated by CGI-heavy modern monster movies.
You really can’t get closer to a classic monster movie than King Kong, with its frightening but surprisingly soulful monster, campy violence, and nightmarish atmosphere. If you love iconic classic monster movies like Frankenstein (1931) and The Mummy (1932) that offer nostalgia and a distinct weirdness and horror specific to the time period, King Kong and The Son of Kong are must-sees.
- King Kong (1933)
- The Son of Kong (1933)
King Kong Japanese Adaptations
By 1962, the Japanese studio Toho had already debuted Godzilla on-screen, and Kong made the perfect companion to the giant lizard. Hence, the two monsters appeared together in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) before Toho gave him a solo movie, King Kong Escapes (1967). Both films stand out for being some of the funnier and more campy King Kong movies, boasting cartoonish violence and dated visual effects. However, they also allow viewers to see Kong clash with Godzilla and Mecha-Kong, which will intrigue fans of both the Kong and Godzilla franchises.
Fans of campy monster movies and monster clashes like Son of Godzilla (1967) and Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) will find these early Japanese adaptations of King Kong wildly fun, campy, and entertaining.
- King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
- King Kong Escapes (1967)
Pre-MonsterVerse American Adaptations
By the 1970s, King Kong returned to America with the King Kong (1933) remake, King Kong (1976), and its sequel, King Kong Lives (1986). In 2005, Universal Pictures commissioned another remake of the 1933 movie with Peter Jackson’s King Kong (2005). King Kong (1976) and King Kong Lives took Kong in a different direction, deviating from the horror elements of earlier films and focusing more on Kong’s adventures. They’re reminiscent of the earlier Kong films in that they’re more emotional, packing more character development and sophistication into King Kong.
King Kong (2005) goes back to the franchise's horror roots with a nightmarish depiction of Skull Island and high-quality special effects, making it feel like the first genuinely modern adaptation. Fans of the MonsterVerse will enjoy the 2005 King Kong’s cutting-edge effects and horror elements, while those who prefer the classic Kong films might feel King Kong and King Kong Lives more accurately capture the spirit of the giant gorilla.
King Kong Animated Movies and Shows
The King Kong animated movies and shows are excellent for younger viewers and families seeking a lighter take on the iconic gorilla. Some of the animated adaptations, like The King Kong Show (1966) and The Mighty Kong (1998), deviate quite far from the Kong movies, reimagining the character as a children’s hero or a fairy tale-esque figure with works geared toward very young audiences.
However, Kong: The Animated Series and its movies, Kong: King of Atlantis and Kong: Return to the Jungle, are more sophisticated, with innovative animation, a wonderful sense of adventure, and a substantial expansion of lore. The earlier Kong animated works are on par with direct-to-video animation of the time, like Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998), and will appeal to you if you don’t mind a little dated, kid-friendly animation. You’ll want to go with Kong: The Animated Series, though, if you’re looking for a slightly more sophisticated Saturday morning cartoon in the vein of Godzilla: The Series (1998).
- The King Kong Show (1966)
- The Mighty Kong (1998)
- Kong: The Animated Series (2000)
- Kong: King of Atlantis (2005)
- Kong: Return to the Jungle (2006)
- Kong: King of the Apes (2016)
The MonsterVerse
The newest era of Kong is the MonsterVerse, the shared cinematic universe of iconic monsters, including Kong and Godzilla. The main highlight of the Kong movies in the MonsterVerse is the spectacle of it all. Movies like Kong: Skull Island and Godzilla vs. Kong boast dazzling special effects and truly capture the sheer scale of the kaiju. With exquisite detail and action that gets your adrenaline pumping, the MonsterVerse movies realistically bring Kong to life, depicting the destruction and chaos such a monster would bring with suspense and a touch of horror.
However, the shared universe and single continuity also allow for some character development. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire delves deeper into Kong’s personality and his connections to humans, presenting him as more of an anti-hero than a villain. If you're a fan of the Jurassic World movies, Pacific Rim (2013), and other modern monster/kaiju films known for their top-notch special effects and nonstop action, you’ll also love the Kong films and shows in the MonsterVerse.
- Kong: Skull Island (2017)
- Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
- Skull Island (2023)
- Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
- Godzilla x Kong: Supernova (2027)
