King Kong Movies: Release Order
King Kong first conquered cinema in 1933 with revolutionary stop-motion effects that changed filmmaking forever. Since then, the mighty ape has appeared in multiple timelines and interpretations, from Japanese monster battles to Hollywood remakes and the modern MonsterVerse.
This list presents all live-action theatrical King Kong films chronologically by release date. The franchise includes the original RKO classics, campy Toho monster films from Japan, the 1970s-80s Dino De Laurentiis productions, Peter Jackson's epic 2005 remake, and the MonsterVerse films where Kong battles alongside Godzilla. Note that several direct-to-video animated films and the questionable 1976 parody Queen Kong are excluded from our list.
There are 5 other watch orders available - see the links up above.

King Kong
An adventurous filmmaker travels to a mysterious island where he discovers a legendary giant ape, which he captures and brings back to New York City for public exhibition.

The Son of Kong
Adventurer Carl Denham returns to Skull Island and discovers Kong's albino son, leading to new adventures and dangers in this sequel to the original King Kong.

King Kong vs. Godzilla
When a pharmaceutical company captures King Kong for a publicity stunt, the giant ape finds himself pitted against the legendary Godzilla in an epic battle. Two of cinema's most iconic monsters clash as corporate interests exploit their destructive encounter for profit.

King Kong Escapes
When the evil Dr. Who's robot Mechani-Kong fails to mine a rare element, he captures the real King Kong to do the job. This sets up an epic battle between the mechanical and real Kong atop Tokyo Tower.

King Kong
An oil company expedition discovers a giant ape on a remote island and brings him back to New York, where the creature's captivity leads to chaos in the city.

King Kong Lives
After a decade in a coma following his fall from the Twin Towers, King Kong receives an artificial heart transplant and awakens to find a giant female ape has been captured nearby. The two massive primates escape together and embark on a rampage across the countryside.

King Kong
An ambitious 1930s movie producer leads his cast and crew to the mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter Kong, a giant ape who becomes captivated by the film's leading lady.

Kong: Skull Island
A team of explorers ventures to a mysterious, primordial island where they encounter the legendary giant ape Kong and other dangerous creatures in this action-packed monster adventure.

Godzilla vs. Kong
Two legendary titans, Godzilla and Kong, are forced into an epic confrontation as humanity's survival hangs in the balance. The clash between these colossal forces of nature will determine the fate of the world.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Godzilla and Kong must put aside their differences to face a massive new threat that endangers both the Titans and humanity itself.
Related Film Series
Other Film Series
DC Extended Universe
DC's shared cinematic universe spanning a decade of interconnected superhero stories from Man of Steel to Aquaman.
Highlander
An immortal Scottish warrior battles through the centuries in this cult fantasy franchise about sword-wielding Immortals who can only die by beheading.
Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
An interconnected superhero film franchise that began with Iron Man in 2008 and spans multiple phases building toward epic crossover events.
Mortal Kombat
A martial arts fantasy franchise based on the popular video game series about interdimensional fighting tournaments.
Pacific Rim
A sci-fi action series about humanity's war against giant interdimensional monsters using massive humanoid mechs called Jaegers.
Superman
The cinematic adventures of the Man of Steel spanning multiple decades, actors, and universes from the classic Christopher Reeve era to the modern DCEU.