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King Kong stands as an enduring icon among movie monsters, distinct in that he originated in cinema without prior source material. While Dracula and Frankenstein preceded him, King Kong’s uniqueness lies in being a cinematic creation, giving rise to a subgenre of giant monster films that later influenced creatures like Godzilla and Gamera.
Updated as of December 14, 2023, this list pays homage to the Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire film, providing additional details on this and other entries in the franchise, along with information on where to watch them.
King Kong’s cinematic journey, starting from his debut in 1933, spans a diverse range of films, from high-budget remakes to budget-friendly animated adaptations and even crossover ventures with Godzilla. The King Kong franchise has etched its place in entertainment history, and the extensive list of movies featuring this iconic gorilla showcases the lasting impact he has had on the world of cinema.
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King Kong: All Movies in Order
King Kong (1933)
In 1933, the iconic film King Kong made its debut on the big screen, featuring a memorable storyline. The movie follows a film crew that unwittingly finds itself on Skull Island, where they are captured by the native population. The crew’s lone woman, Anne Darrow (played by Fay Wray), becomes the sacrificial offering to King Kong, a colossal gorilla. After numerous battles with the island’s creatures, Kong is captured and brought to New York City, only to break free and unleash havoc.
King Kong is renowned as one of the greatest giant monster films, employing special effects such as stop-motion animation, matte painting, rear projection, and miniatures to depict the creature’s scale. Beyond its technical achievements, the film’s timeless narrative revolves around a lonely creature torn from its home, captivated by beauty. King Kong’s significance extends beyond its technical prowess; it stands as an early testament to the excitement and potential of the burgeoning medium of film. You can watch King Kong (1933) on Max.
Son of Kong (1933)
Son of Kong, a follow-up to the initial King Kong film, was swiftly released by RKO Pictures in the same year as its predecessor, capitalizing on the tremendous success of the first movie both critically and commercially. The repercussions of the spectacular exhibition of Kong in the city prompt the mastermind behind it to confront the fallout of his actions. As the expedition returns to Skull Island, they encounter another colossal ape, believed to be the Son of Kong.
In this sequel, emphasis is placed on the Son of Kong defending Hilda Peterson (played by Helen Mack) against perilous dinosaurs, highlighting the unexpected bond between the woman and the giant creature. This unique relationship becomes a crucial element in the franchise’s popularity. Explore Son of Kong (1933) on Apple TV.
The King Kong That Appeared in Edo (1938)
The Japanese film industry also joined the King Kong craze by producing a two-part silent film about the colossal ape. Titled “The King Kong That Appeared in Edo,” it was released in 1938, five years after King Kong’s initial film debut.
Regrettably, this film is deemed lost, making it extremely challenging to locate any remaining still images or fragments of footage from the original print. Unfortunately, “The King Kong That Appeared in Edo” is not accessible for streaming, adding to its elusive status.
King Kong vs Godzilla (1962)
This marked the genesis of a phenomenon. To ensure the enduring allure of monster movies, it becomes imperative to avoid repetitive or recreated narratives. Thus, a spectacular crossover emerged, pitting two cinematic giants against each other: King Kong versus Godzilla. The film unfolds with Godzilla being roused by an American submarine, setting the stage for a clash with King Kong, who had been captured for pharmaceutical purposes. The ensuing epic battle takes place against the backdrop of the picturesque Mount Fuji.
The mesmerizing confrontations between Kong and Godzilla are not only entertaining but possess a certain charm. This cinematic masterpiece not only rescued the Godzilla franchise but also breathed new life into Kong, forever intertwining the destinies of these two colossal creatures. Despite a fifty-year anticipation for a rematch, the wait proved worthwhile. “King Kong vs Godzilla” stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of action and sci-fi, solidifying its status as one of the greatest crossovers in film history. Regrettably, this classic is currently unavailable on streaming platforms.
King Kong Escapes (1967)
In a new King Kong movie titled “King Kong Escapes,” a twist is introduced as society attempts to harness Kong’s power by creating a robot version, Mechani-Kong, designed to extract valuable minerals from the Earth. However, facing challenges with the robot’s performance, they opt to capture the real King Kong. Fans speculate about Mechani-Kong potentially joining the MonsterVerse, and it’s worth noting that “King Kong Escapes” is currently not accessible on streaming platforms.
King Kong (1976)
The 1976 movie “King Kong” is a modern retelling of the 1933 original. Jessica Lange plays Dawn, who is rescued from a shipwreck but ends up being targeted by natives on a mysterious island for sacrifice to Kong. After a failed attempt, Dawn is saved, and the giant ape is brought to New York City as an exhibit. Marketed as a major event with a star-studded cast including Jeff Bridges and Charles Grodin, the film aimed to update the classic with contemporary special effects. Despite controversy as a remake, it won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. You can watch “King Kong (1976)” on Prime Video.
Queen Kong (1976)
Released in the same year as the preceding entry, Queen Kong is a British-German film that satirizes the King Kong series. The movie depicts an all-female film crew on an island where they encounter Queen Kong, who develops a romantic interest in the male lead. However, the film faced legal challenges from the copyright owners of King Kong due to its parodic elements. Despite having a limited release in Germany and Italy, it was later banned. Watch Queen Kong on Tubi.
King Kong Lives (1986)
In the latest installment of King Kong films, “King Kong Lives,” the iconic Kong is presumed dead, but modern medicine miraculously brings him back to life. Embarking on a second chance, Kong ventures into family life by forming a connection with a female Kong whose blood transfusions played a crucial role in his revival. The movie features Linda Hamilton, known for her role as Sarah Connor in “The Terminator” just two years prior, alongside Brian Kerwin, Josh Ashton, and Peter Michael Goetz.
This film served as the much-anticipated sequel to the 1976 remake, but unfortunately, it failed to resonate with audiences upon its release. Despite the star-studded cast and intriguing premise, “King Kong Lives” was a box office disappointment and faced harsh criticism from reviewers. Over time, there have been few, if any, reevaluations of the movie that highlight its positive aspects. Interested viewers can now stream “King Kong Lives” on The Roku Channel.
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The Mighty Kong (1998)
The King Kong film series, known for its live-action productions, took a different turn with “The Mighty Kong,” an animated direct-to-video musical retelling the classic Kong story. Despite being largely overlooked, the film boasts notable elements. Jodi Benson, Disney’s Ariel voice actress, portrayed Anne Darrow, while Dudley Moore, in his last role before passing away, played Carl Denham. The movie also features songs crafted by the Sherman Brothers, renowned for their work on classics like Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book. You can watch “The Mighty Kong” on Freevee.
Kong: King of Atlantis (2005)
During the 2000s, a cartoon called “Kong: The Animated Series” ran for two seasons with 40 episodes until 2001. To capitalize on the 2005 Kong film, a direct-to-video sequel named “Kong: King of Atlantis” was created. The movie follows Kong and a group of clever humans as they battle reptilian monsters to rescue the island from chaos. You can watch “Kong: King of Atlantis” on Tubi.
King Kong (2005)
In 2005, Peter Jackson helmed the direction of King Kong, a high-budget and exhilarating adventure film that offers a fresh take on the original King Kong narrative. Peter Jackson, inspired by the 1933 classic, had a childhood fondness for King Kong, and despite a previous unsuccessful attempt in 1996, he waited until post-The Lord of the Rings for technology to align with his creative vision.
Featuring a star-studded cast including Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, Jack Black, Kyle Chandler, and Andy Serkis, the film revitalizes the iconic story with groundbreaking CGI for its time. Jackson’s adaptation received widespread acclaim, securing its place among the top five highest-grossing movies globally in its release year. Don’t miss the opportunity to watch King Kong (2005) on Peacock.
Kong: Return to the Jungle (2006)
Kong: Return to the Jungle serves as both a follow-up to Kong: King of Atlantis and a standalone sequel, utilizing 3D computer animation instead of traditional methods. Regrettably, the film falls short in various aspects, be it due to awkward animation or peculiar explanatory dialogue. Overall, Kong: Return to the Jungle is often perceived as a low-quality attempt to cash in on King Kong’s popularity, marking the final significant King Kong film for more than ten years. You can watch Kong: Return to the Jungle on Tubi.
Kong: Skull Island (2017)
After a significant hiatus, King Kong made a triumphant return to the silver screen with the release of Kong: Skull Island in 2017. This high-energy film features a cast including Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston, and John Goodman, and it follows a group of soldiers and explorers venturing into the mysterious Skull Island during the Vietnam War in 1973.
Not only did Kong: Skull Island serve as a contemporary reboot of the King Kong franchise, but it also laid the foundation for integrating Kong into a larger cinematic universe. Originally developed at Universal Pictures, the concept was later brought to Warner Bros. by Legendary Pictures to merge with their Godzilla franchise, leading to the highly anticipated crossover event, Godzilla vs. Kong. The groundwork for this epic clash was subtly established in the end credits of Kong: Skull Island, and glimpses of Kong can be spotted throughout Godzilla: King of the Monsters. For many, Kong: Skull Island is regarded as one of the finest King Kong movies. Experience the excitement by renting Kong: Skull Island on Apple TV.
Godzilla Vs. Kong (2021)
In 2021, the beloved monsters of cinema clashed once again in the thrilling spectacle of Godzilla Vs. Kong. This monster film, featuring Millie Bobby Brown, Julian Dennison, Alexander Skarsgård, and Brian Tyree Henry, revolves around Kong guiding humanity into the Hollow Earth, while Godzilla becomes a formidable threat due to human efforts to control monsters.
Despite concerns about the MonsterVerse’s future after the underwhelming performance of Godzilla: King of the Monsters at the box office, Godzilla Vs. Kong revitalized the franchise. The epic showdown between the two iconic titans resonated with audiences, proving to be a much-needed boost. The film, released simultaneously in theaters and on Max due to pandemic-related closures, defied expectations and emerged as a hit. Watch Godzilla Vs. Kong on Netflix and Max to experience the excitement.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
The King Kong franchise is set to make a comeback on the big screen with a new Godzilla crossover, skillfully directed by Adam Wingard. Titled “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” the film not only pits the iconic monsters against each other but also delves into their Earthly origins. Unbeknownst to Godzilla and Kong, their destinies have been intertwined with humanity for centuries, possibly leading to an unprecedented alliance between the colossal kaiju. The movie features the return of familiar faces, including Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Kaylee Hottle. Mark your calendars as “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” is scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024. For an exciting glimpse of what the film has in store, make sure to watch the trailer provided below.
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