What is the best order to watch the King Kong / Godzilla MonsterVerse?

If you are looking for epic monster movies featuring horror icons, then look no further than the Godzilla and King Kong series. These titanic terrors of cinema have a huge portfolio of pictures that offer thrills, spills and lots and lots of destruction.

And if you like both Godzilla and King Kong then you can work your way through a series that unites the pair – Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse. This collection of films places the two characters in the same series for a run of movies that offer huge battles and lots of action.

But what is the best order to watch the MonsterVerse?

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Production order

OK, so first up let’s take a look at the films as they have been released in production order.

In 2014, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures released the first film in the MonsterVerse in the shape of Godzilla. This standalone tale – directed by Gareth Edwards – introduced Gojira for a new generation, as he did battle with a collection of monsters.

Following the release of Godzilla, Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures unleashed Kong: Skull Island. This ’70s-era monster film – directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts – focused on King Kong, introducing him as the No.1 creature on a mysterious island of horrors.

Next up was 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters. This was released as a sequel to 2014’s Godzilla and included iconic characters such as King Ghidorah, Rodan and Mothra.

While the three previous films largely focused on separate adventures, 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong united the two characters for a titanic showdown – ensuring both characters got the opportunity to shine in one movie. This was then followed by 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

If you wish to watch the MonsterVerse in production order, then follow this list:

• Godzilla (2014)
• Kong: Skull Island (2017)
• Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
• Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
• Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

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MonsterVerse timeline

While production order is one way to watch the MonsterVerse films, it is not the only way. Kong: Skull Island was the second movie to be released, but chronologically it is the first entry in the series.

If you wish to watch the Kong / Godzilla MonsterVerse movies in timeline order, then use this list:

• Kong: Skull Island (2017)
• Godzilla (2014)
• Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
• Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
• Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

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It is entirely up to you what order you watch the movies in – either production or timeline order, but I would suggest opting for timeline. That way you can start you journey in the 1970s and learn about the characters that inhabit the MonsterVerse.

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If you’re a fan of Godzilla or King Kong (and who isn’t?), then you may wish to know that all four movies in the MonsterVerse are currently available to buy on Blu-ray.

The Godzilla & Kong 4-Film Collection includes all of the movies (Godzilla, Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Godzilla vs. Kong) in one handy box set.  

The Godzilla & Kong 4-Film Collection on Blu-ray is available from all good entertainment stockists, including Amazon US and Amazon UK.

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And should you want to rewind the clock all the way back to 1933, to revisit the original, black-and-white King Kong, you may wish to know the original film is also available on Blu-ray.

The one-disc King Kong Blu-ray release offers up the classic movie in high-definition.

Once again, the Blu-ray is available from all good entertainment retailers, including Amazon UK.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post – I hope it has proved useful. For more monster-related posts, please check out the recommended reads below.

Disclaimer: I earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.