Every Kong Movie (& TV Show) in Order
King Kong is one of the most famous movie monsters. The giant ape first appeared in 1933. Since then, he has been in many films and television shows. These stories have been told in different ways, from serious action to animated musicals. The character of Kong has changed over time. Sometimes he is a destructive monster, and other times he is a misunderstood creature.
This list covers every official King Kong movie and TV show. It presents them in the order they were released. The list includes the original black-and-white films, Japanese productions, modern blockbusters, and animated series. It will help you watch the entire history of the great ape, from his first appearance to his most recent adventures.
King Kong (1933)
The first King Kong movie was a major event in filmmaking. It was created by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack. The film used stop-motion animation to bring the giant ape to life. This technique was groundbreaking for its time and created amazing visual effects. The story follows a film crew that travels to the mysterious Skull Island.
On the island, they find King Kong, a huge gorilla. They capture him and take him to New York City to be put on display. In the city, Kong escapes and causes destruction. The movie ends with the famous scene of Kong climbing the Empire State Building, where he is shot down by airplanes. The film was a huge success and became a classic.
The Son of Kong (1933)
Released just months after the original, Son of Kong is the first sequel. The story picks up after the events of the first film. Director Carl Denham, feeling guilty about Kong’s death, returns to Skull Island. There, he discovers Kong’s son, a smaller and more friendly giant ape.
This film has a lighter and more comedic tone than the first. Denham and his companions face new dangers and adventures on the island. They find a treasure and must survive earthquakes and other threats. The sequel did not achieve the same level of fame as the original, but it offered a different take on the Kong story.
The King Kong Show (1966-1969)
This was the first animated series to feature the giant ape. The King Kong Show was a Japanese-American co-production. It presented a more heroic version of Kong. In the series, Kong is the friendly and protective companion of the Bond family. He fights against various monsters, robots, and villains.
The show introduced the evil Dr. Who, a recurring villain who wants to capture Kong for his own purposes. It also featured Mechani-Kong, a robotic version of Kong built by the doctor. The series was popular with children and expanded the Kong universe with new characters and adventures.
King Kong Escapes (1967)
This film was produced by Japan’s Toho studio, the same company that makes the Godzilla films. King Kong Escapes was inspired by The King Kong Show. The story features the evil Dr. Who and his robotic creation, Mechani-Kong. In the movie, Dr. Who tries to force the real King Kong to dig for a rare element.
Kong escapes and fights Mechani-Kong in a climactic battle at the Tokyo Tower. The film has the style of a 1960s spy movie, with secret agents and high-tech gadgets. It is a unique entry in the Kong series, blending the giant monster action with espionage.
King Kong (1976)
This was the first American remake of the original 1933 film. The story was updated for a 1970s audience. Instead of a film crew, the expedition to Skull Island is sent by an oil company. They discover the giant ape and bring him back to New York.
A notable change in this version is the final scene. Instead of the Empire State Building, Kong climbs the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. The film starred Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange in her first movie role. It used a man in a gorilla suit combined with a large mechanical Kong for the special effects.
King Kong Lives (1986)
This movie is a sequel to the 1976 remake. It begins with the revelation that Kong survived his fall from the World Trade Center. He has been in a coma for ten years. A new character, Lady Kong, is found and her blood is used to give Kong an artificial heart.
The two giant apes escape and go on a rampage. The film follows their journey as they are pursued by the military. King Kong Lives was not as successful as the previous films, but it is a notable for being a direct sequel to the 1976 version and for introducing a female Kong.
The Mighty Kong (1998)
This animated musical is another retelling of the classic King Kong story. The Mighty Kong follows the familiar plot of a film crew finding Kong on Skull Island and taking him to New York. The movie features the voices of Dudley Moore and Jodi Benson.
The film presents a more family-friendly version of the story. It includes several songs and has a lighter tone than the live-action movies. While it did not receive a wide release, it offers a different interpretation of the Kong legend for a younger audience.
Kong: The Animated Series (2000-2001)
This animated series is a sequel to the original 1933 film. The story is set in the present day. It follows a clone of the original King Kong, created from his DNA. This new Kong shares a psychic link with a human teenager named Jason.
When Jason and Kong merge, Kong’s strength and intelligence are enhanced. They work together to protect Skull Island from various threats. The series also led to two direct-to-video animated movies, Kong: King of Atlantis (2005) and Kong: Return to the Jungle (2006).
King Kong (2005)
Directed by Peter Jackson, this film is a remake of the 1933 original. It is known for its faithful retelling of the story and its advanced special effects. The film uses motion capture performance by Andy Serkis to create a very realistic Kong.
The movie expands on the story and characters from the original. It spends more time on Skull Island, showing its dangerous environment and prehistoric creatures. The film was a critical and commercial success, praised for its emotional depth and spectacular visuals.
Kong: Skull Island (2017)
This film reboots the King Kong story and is part of the MonsterVerse, a shared cinematic universe with Godzilla. Set in the 1970s, a team of soldiers and scientists explores the newly discovered Skull Island. They soon encounter Kong, who is the island’s guardian.
The movie is an action-adventure film with a focus on monster battles. Kong is shown as a powerful protector who fights against other giant creatures called Skullcrawlers. The film establishes Kong’s place in a larger world of monsters, setting up future crossovers.
Skull Island (2023)
This animated series is set in the MonsterVerse and takes place after the events of Kong: Skull Island. The show follows a group of explorers who become shipwrecked on Skull Island. They must survive the island’s dangerous creatures, including Kong.
The series expands the mythology of the MonsterVerse. It shows more of the island’s ecosystem and its monstrous inhabitants. The animation style is inspired by anime, and the story focuses on the human characters’ struggle for survival in a world of giants.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
This movie brings together the two most famous giant monsters in cinema history. As part of the MonsterVerse, Godzilla and Kong are on a collision course. The film explores the ancient rivalry between their species.
The movie features massive-scale battles between the two titans in different locations, including the ocean and the city of Hong Kong. It also delves into the Hollow Earth theory, suggesting a world of monsters exists beneath the Earth’s surface. The film was a major box office success.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
This film is a sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong and the latest entry in the MonsterVerse. In this movie, Godzilla and Kong must team up to face a new threat from the Hollow Earth. The new enemy is a powerful ape titan known as the Skar King.
The movie further explores the lore of the Hollow Earth and the history of the Titans. It shows Kong as a ruler in this new world and develops his character as a protector. The film continues the trend of large-scale monster action and visual spectacle.
