King Kong has been captivating audiences worldwide for over 90 years, solidifying his place as a global pop-culture icon. Despite his long history, many are unaware of the extensive Kong filmography, which includes 13 films, including the latest addition to the Monster verse: Godzilla x Kong: New Empire.
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Despite the film's title, it focuses primarily on Kong. Throughout various media, including television, film, comics, and novels, Kong's legacy remains unmatched, although other primates have attempted to replicate his success.
Below, I descend from the tragic climax of the original Kong film and rank the Kong films, from the edge of disaster to a triumphant return. Here they are, from worst to best.
The Mighty Kong (1998)
If you ever felt that the original King Kong (1933) was missing something, perhaps it was a musical element? Enter 1998's The Mighty Kong, a direct-to-video animated film that attempts to fill this gap. This remake of the original movie is a hastily paced, poorly edited production that stars Dudley Moore in his final role as Carl Denham.
While it seems aimed at children, the film's focus on a strangely mature romance between Ann and Jack, combined with its overly silly tone, makes it unclear who the target audience really is. Despite featuring Jodie as the voice of Ann and The Sherman Brothers (known for their work on Disney classics like The Jungle Book, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Mary Poppins) writing the songs, none of the tunes are particularly memorable.
To top it off, Kong survives his fall from the Empire State Building in this musical adaptation, leaving him forever trapped in this odd blend of romance and silliness.
Kong: Return to the Jungle (2006)
The third animated Kong film and the sequel to Kong: The Animated Series, this installment is considered one of the weakest in the Kong franchise. Marketed with "state-of-the-art CGI Animation!" on its DVD, Return to the Jungle features visuals that are reminiscent of early PlayStation 2 test animations, which can be hard on the eyes.
The story revolves around Kong being captured by an evil hunter who plans to display him and the dinosaurs of Kong Island in a special zoo. It's up to Kong's friends, Jason (Kirby Morrow), Tann (Scott McNeil), and Lua (Saffron Henderson), to rescue him. Even for dedicated franchise fans, this film is a tough watch. But fear not, the next two films are similarly challenging!
King Kong Lives (1986)
Transitioning from the animated era, we enter the realm of live-action with King Kong Lives, a sequel to King Kong (1976) that unfortunately fails to impress. Directed by John Guillermin, this lackluster film follows Kong's survival after his fall from the World Trade Center. In need of a heart transplant, scientists, led by Dr. Amy Franklin (Linda Hamilton), creates an artificial heart for him.
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However, there's a problem: there isn't enough blood to keep the heart pumping. Adventurer Hank Mitchell (Brian Kerwin) returns to the mysterious island from the previous film and captures a female Kong, whom they dub Lady Kong. She participates in a successful blood transfusion with Kong, and the two apes escape from the lab, pursued by the army led by the mustache-twirling Lt. Col. Archie Nevitt (John Ashton).
Despite the potential for excitement, the film falls flat, marred by frequent attempts at comedy. Despite explosions and primate bloodshed, the film fails to captivate. Intended to be an emotional romance, King Kong Lives fails to move its audience, leaving viewers restless and unsatisfied.
Kong: King of Atlantis (2005)
The first sequel to Kong: The Animated Series takes a different approach by using traditional hand-drawn animation instead of "state-of-the-art CGI Animation!" Kong, who is a clone created from the DNA of his human brother, Jason, finds himself in a battle to protect Kong Island from the threat of a rising Atlantis.
The story involves Kong being manipulated by a snake-woman sorceress to bring about the return of the sunken city, which could have been a thrilling Edgar Rice Burroughs/Robert E. Howard-style adventure. However, the film falls short due to its shallow storytelling and, surprisingly, musical numbers.
The songs rely heavily on nonsensical rhymes and repetitive refrains, unnecessarily stretching the film's runtime to an hour and 9 minutes when a shorter duration would have sufficed.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
The latest installment in Legendary's Monsterverse once again unites Kong and Godzilla, this time as allies rather than adversaries. Following in the footsteps of Adam Wingard's previous film, Godzilla vs. Kong, this movie prioritizes monster battles over human characters. While some fights are impressive, others suffer from overly frenetic camera movements, making it challenging to follow the creatures' spatial positioning.
A significant portion of the film is set in the Hollow Earth, where human characters like Dr. Andrews (Rebecca Hall), Bernie (Brian Tyree Henry), Trapper (Dan Stevens), and Jia (Kaylee Hottle) are absent. Kong and his counterparts seem disproportionately large in these scenes, lacking the human perspective necessary to convey the titans' true scale. When humans do take center stage, they mainly serve to deliver exposition or provide comic relief.
Although there are glimpses of what could have been a compelling Kong-focused narrative, including his bond with a surrogate son named Suko, Godzilla's inclusion in the story feels forced. Godzilla's presence undermines the drama of Kong's battle against the villainous giant primate, Skar King, who, despite controlling the ice-breathing kaiju Shimo, does not pose a significant enough threat to warrant a team-up between the two iconic titans.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
The fourth installment in Legendary's Monsterverse series reunites the two iconic titans for the first time in nearly 60 years. Directed by Adam Wingard, the film primarily focuses on the epic battles between Godzilla and Kong, but it sacrifices the human element and thematic depth that characterized the previous three entries. While the fights between the two monsters are visually impressive, the film lacks a sense of awe, largely due to sidelining or eliminating much of the human cast.
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Notably, Jessica Henwick's character is notably absent, and Madison Russell (Millie Bobby Brown) receives minimal character development. New characters like Nathan Lind (Alexander Skarsgård) and Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall) feel underdeveloped and lack depth. Some subplots are introduced but ultimately lead nowhere, and characters like Ren Serizawa (Shun Oguri) are not effectively connected to previous films, missing an opportunity for more nuanced storytelling.
Ultimately, Godzilla vs. Kong feels like a film that was heavily edited in post-production, resulting in a final product that prioritizes spectacle over substance. While the film's action sequences are entertaining, they fail to resonate with the richer storytelling and world-building of the earlier Monsterverse films.
Kong: Skull Island (2017)
The second installment in the Monsterverse, directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, transports audiences back to a time before Kong was the towering King we know, presenting him as a younger and smaller version of the iconic ape. Vogt-Roberts creates a visually stunning world on Skull Island, teeming with bizarre creatures like the Skull crawlers and a host of other giant monsters, showcasing his love for the genre.
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Amidst the spectacle, the film also touches on more serious themes, particularly through its portrayal of Vietnam War veterans sent to explore the island, carrying their war experiences with them. While the film includes visual nods to Apocalypse Now, it maintains a lighter tone and doesn't delve into the darkness of war as deeply.
One of the film's strengths is its ability to create emotional connections with some of its characters, notably soldier James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston), anti-war photographer Mason Weaver (Brie Larson), Army Lieutenant Colonel Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson), and the WWII survivor Hank Marlow (John C. Reilly). Additionally, Kong's portrayal as a protector of the island's indigenous people adds depth to his character.
Larry Fong's cinematography enhances the film, providing some of the most visually striking images in Kong's cinematic history. Despite some tonal inconsistencies, Kong: Skull Island succeeds in delivering an exciting and visually captivating adventure that expands the lore of the iconic giant ape.
King Kong Escapes (1967)
Following the success of Toho's King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), the studio collaborated with Rankin/Bass, the then-owners of Kong, and director Ishirō Honda to create a film loosely inspired by Rankin/Bass' cartoon series, The King Kong Show. The result is a quirky and entertaining blend of genres, featuring the Bond villain-inspired Dr. Who (Hideyo Amamoto) who builds Mechani-Kong to excavate a site in the North Pole where the radioactive Element X is hidden.
When Mechani-Kong fails, Dr. Who decides he needs the real Kong. Kong is hypnotized and forced to do Dr. Who's bidding until his human love interest, Lt. Susan Watson (Linda Jo Miller), breaks the spell, leading to a climactic showdown between Kong and Mechani-Kong.
While the plot is straightforward, King Kong Escapes offers plenty of fun. Interestingly, Toho originally intended for Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966) to be a Kong film as well. However, disagreements over the choice of director led Rankin/Bass to drop out, and the film became a Godzilla installment. Despite this, Ebirah, Horror of the Deep still retains a strong Kong-like feel.
King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
In this iconic crossover, the third installment for both Kong and Godzilla, the two titans clash in a battle that captured the imagination of audiences. The film became the most-attended Godzilla movie in Japan, a record held until Godzilla: Minus One (2023). The story follows a pharmaceutical company that captures Kong to use as a promotional tool, only for Godzilla to emerge from an iceberg and wreak havoc. The Japanese military sees Kong as a potential weapon against Godzilla, leading to an epic showdown.
Despite being on Godzilla's turf, the reptilian monster was still portrayed as a villain, allowing Kong, an American creation, to triumph. One of the most memorable moments of the film is when Kong shoves a tree down Godzilla's throat, a scene that has since become a meme. Beyond the epic battle, the film also explores themes of pharmaceutical consumerism, exploitation, and dehumanization, adding depth to the story. Additionally, King Kong vs. Godzilla established the popular "Godzilla vs." formula that would become a staple of Toho productions for years to come.
The Son of Kong (1933)
Released a mere nine months after the groundbreaking King Kong, The Son of Kong is a shorter film, clocking in at just 69 minutes, and was produced as a quick follow-up to capitalize on the success of its predecessor. Despite its rushed production, director Ernest B. Schoedsack manages to deliver an entertaining B-movie that continues the story with Kong's offspring and the disgraced showman Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong).
Facing the threat of imprisonment, Denham and Captain Englehorn (Frank Reicher) set sail and encounter a stowaway named Hilda (Helen Mack) and rumors of buried treasure on Skull Island. Upon their return, Denham befriends a giant albino ape he names Little Kong. The film embraces a pulpier tone than its predecessor, featuring Little Kong battling the island's dinosaurs and a massive cave bear. Despite the film's shortcomings, there is a charming quality to Denham's relationship with Little Kong, providing a bit of redemption for the infamous promoter.
Despite its rushed production, The Son of Kong excels in its stop-motion effects, maintaining the level of craftsmanship seen in the original King Kong. Like its predecessor, The Son of Kong has had a lasting influence, with director Peter Jackson owning one of the two existing models of Little Kong, showcasing the enduring impact of this classic monster movie.
King Kong (1976)
The 1976 remake of King Kong holds a special place in many viewers' hearts, including mine, as it was the first Kong film I ever saw. Starring Jeff Bridges, Jessica Lange, and Charles Grodin, this version of Kong is a romantic adventure that captures the essence of the 1970s era. While it may not have the same horror or thrills as the original, it compensates with a captivating story and strong performances.
The film follows the Petrox Oil Company's expedition to a mysterious island after evidence of oil is discovered. Despite warnings from paleontologist Jack Prescott (Bridges) about the island's dangers, the team presses on. Along the way, they rescue actress Dwan (Lange), the sole survivor of a yacht explosion, adding to the intrigue of the journey.
Upon reaching the island, the expedition finds Kong, who becomes the target of capture by the oil company. This narrative twist echoes the theme of exploitation seen in King Kong vs. Godzilla, where Kong is used as a mascot by Big Oil, dubbed King Kong.
Despite its flaws, including some dated special effects, King Kong (1976) shines with its charismatic cast and a memorable third act that is both thrilling and bloody. It serves as a remake that honors the timeless story of King Kong while reflecting the societal issues of its time, making it a captivating watch for fans of the giant ape.
King Kong (1933)
King Kong is not just a film; it's a monumental piece of cinema history that transformed the industry and popular culture. This masterpiece paved the way for giant monster movies, inspiring a whole genre that includes iconic creatures like Godzilla and Mothra. Its impact is evident in films ranging from Them! to Cloverfield and Pacific Rim. Directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, King Kong is a technical marvel that pushed the boundaries of special effects, showcasing revolutionary techniques in stop-motion animation, matte paintings, rear-screen projection, and miniatures.
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The story follows the ambitious documentarian Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong), who embarks on a filmmaking expedition to a remote and mysterious island. Hiring struggling actress Ann Darrow (Fay Wray), Denham sets sail on the ship The Venture, captained by Englehorn (Frank Reicher), and crewed by first mate Jack Driscoll (Bruce Cabot). Their journey takes them to Skull Island, where they encounter an indigenous tribe that offers Ann as a sacrifice to their deity, Kong. This leads to one of cinema's most iconic moments—Fay Wray's unforgettable scream.
As Denham, Jack, and the crew search for Ann on the island, they face perilous encounters with dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. Despite some dated effects by modern standards, the film's narrative remains thrilling and engaging. Audiences are drawn into the magic of the screen, much like viewers in 1933, as they witness Kong's tragic fate atop the Empire State Building.
The film's final moments, with Denham's poignant reflection that "It was Beauty killed the Beast," leave a lasting impression, inviting us to empathize with this monstrous yet tragic figure. King Kong is a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences with its blend of spectacle, emotion, and groundbreaking filmmaking.
King Kong (2005)
Peter Jackson's 2005 rendition of King Kong may not have the same groundbreaking impact as the original 1933 film, but it shines as a heartfelt homage and a testament to Jackson's cinematic prowess. For Jackson, known for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, this film feels like a deeply personal project, a love letter to the original film and a showcase of his directorial range, blending horror, fantasy, and a deep appreciation for imaginative storytelling.
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Jackson's King Kong is a grand spectacle, marked by its ambitious scale and meticulous attention to detail. The film follows the core storyline of the 1933 classic, with Carl Denham (Jack Black) leading an expedition to Skull Island, where they encounter the giant ape, Kong. However, Jackson expands on the characters, relationships, and the world of Skull Island, adding layers of depth and emotion to the narrative.
Visually stunning, thanks to Andrew Lesnie's cinematography, and enhanced by James Newton Howard's captivating score, King Kong immerses audiences in a world of wonder and danger. The relationship between Kong (played through motion capture by Andy Serkis) and Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) is at the heart of the film, portrayed with a poignant beauty that contrasts with the more pragmatic romance between Ann and Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody).
One of the film's standout scenes is the ice-skating sequence between Ann and Kong, a moment of fleeting joy before the inevitable tragedy unfolds. This scene, like many others in the film, showcases Jackson's ability to blend spectacle with emotional depth, creating a truly immersive experience for viewers.
In the end, Jackson's King Kong is not just a remake; it's a reimagining that expands on the original while paying homage to its legacy. It stands as a testament to the power of cinema to transport audiences to new worlds and evoke a range of emotions, making it a memorable addition to the King Kong legacy.
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