Although the Marvel and DC shared universes often dominate the conversation, Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment have built a surprisingly successful franchise with their MonsterVerse. This series reimagines the classic monsters Godzilla and King Kong, and has developed its own unique history, characters, and ongoing storylines.
The popular monster franchise is still thriving. In 2024, the fifth film, Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, was a major success, becoming the highest-earning movie in the MonsterVerse, as well as in the entire histories of both Godzilla and King Kong films. The franchise has also expanded to television with the animated series Skull Island on Netflix and the live-action series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on Apple TV+. Because there have been so many different Godzilla and King Kong movies over the years, it can be tricky to figure out which ones are officially part of this connected universe.
Whether you’re a dedicated fan of the MonsterVerse or just want a fun movie marathon, here’s how to watch the films – you can follow the story in chronological order, or watch them as they were originally released.
‘Kong: Skull Island’ (2017)
The second film released in the franchise is Kong: Skull Island. It centers around a team from Monarch, a group dedicated to studying massive creatures and the idea of a hidden world inside the Earth. Set primarily in 1973 (with a brief opening in 1943), Kong: Skull Island is important because it introduces Monarch and explains how they first discover Kong and Godzilla, setting the stage for the rest of the MonsterVerse series.
What I really loved about the film’s timeline is that it brilliantly explains how Kong could even challenge Godzilla – this Kong isn’t the fully grown titan we know, he’s still growing! And the scene after the credits? Absolutely incredible. It perfectly ties everything together with the other MonsterVerse creatures, showing ancient artwork of Rodan, Mothra, and even the terrifying King Ghidorah, alongside Godzilla and what looks like an ancestor of Kong. It’s a fantastic setup for what’s to come!
The film introduces Bill Randa, played by John Goodman, as a key figure and the leader of Monarch. Interestingly, Goodman also appeared briefly in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters during the same timeframe as this film. A younger version of Randa, portrayed by Anders Holms, was central to the Legacy of Monsters series and helped establish the Monarch organization and the overall storyline.
‘Skull Island’ (2023)
Netflix
Netflix’s Skull Island is the first animated series in the MonsterVerse. Set in the early 1990s, the eight-part show takes place about 20 years after the movie Kong: Skull Island and a few years before the Skull Island: Birth of Kong comic book series (which is set in 1995). Like those other stories, Skull Island involves expeditions organized by Monarch, but this time the adventure begins with a shipwreck. A crew, searching for answers to an old mystery left by their leader, finds themselves stranded.
This series expands the MonsterVerse story, giving its creators freedom to explore the established mythology without changing what happens in the main films. However, because the show is relatively short, some storylines haven’t been fully explained or connected to other MonsterVerse movies and series.
‘Godzilla’ (2014)
Warner Bros.
The first movie in the series was Godzilla, where the iconic monster rises to battle ancient, massive creatures called MUTOs that are endangering the world. While actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who played Ford Brody, didn’t reprise his role in later films, Ken Watanabe as Dr. Ishirō Serizawa, Sally Hawkins as Dr. Vivienne Graham, and David Strathairn as Admiral William Stenz all returned for Godzilla: King of the Monsters.
The epic battle between Godzilla and the MUTOs in San Francisco in 2014 was a pivotal moment for the franchise. It laid the groundwork for key characters and plotlines in both Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and Godzilla: King of the Monsters. This is where humanity first discovered the existence of these colossal creatures, now known as Titans, and the consequences were far-reaching. For example, Dr. Mark and Emma Russell, a married couple working with Monarch, tragically lost their son during the San Francisco battle, which drove them down separate paths leading into the events of Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Meanwhile, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters delves into what happened immediately after Godzilla appeared.
‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ (2023)
As a big monster movie fan, I was really surprised by Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. It doesn’t just focus on the big battles – though there’s still plenty of Kaiju action! – it dives into the human side of things. It’s a much more compelling story about how people have dealt with monsters over the years, and the secret organizations working to protect us. It’s less about destruction and more about the people behind the monsters, and honestly, I found it way more engaging.
Kurt Russell and his son Wyatt Russell star alongside Kiersey Clemons, Joe Tippett, Anna Sawai, Elisa Lasowski, and Ren Watabe in a story that unfolds over many years. The film reveals the inner workings of the Monarch organization—its hidden secrets and the worldwide, secret missions it undertakes to control the monsters.
By the time of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Monarch had become a well-known global organization, and the creatures they studied were now called “Titans” instead of MUTOs. The final episode of the first season is set in 2017, just two years before the events of the movie, and suggests the world had some knowledge of Skull Island. Season 2 started in February 2026 and expanded the story with new ideas, including the concept of time travel.
‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ (2019)
Warner Bros.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters revitalized the franchise by introducing a wider range of monsters and deepening the story’s lore. The film establishes these creatures as ancient titans from mythology, revealing more about their history and bringing the organization Monarch into the public eye. It also features iconic Godzilla adversaries like King Ghidorah, Rodan, and Mothra. The series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters provides a compelling and realistic explanation for the changes within this world, and its style feels reminiscent of the classic Toho Godzilla films.
The villain in the film, Ghidorah, has a lasting impact on the series. The storms he creates worsen those around Skull Island, ultimately causing much of it to sink. Later, one of his severed heads is used to create Mechagodzilla. The scene after the credits also introduces Mark and Madison Russell (played by Kyle Chandler and Millie Bobby Brown), who become important characters in Godzilla vs. Kong.
At the end of the film, Godzilla triumphs over King Ghidorah and establishes himself as the dominant titan, with all other monsters submitting to his rule except for one mysterious creature. The post-credits scene reveals the world is adapting to this new order, and news reports show titans gathering on Skull Island, hinting at a future showdown.
‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ (2021)
Warner Bros. Pictures
The blockbuster film everyone was waiting for was Godzilla vs. Kong. The story picks up five years after Godzilla: King of the Monsters (set in 2024, and ten years after Godzilla’s fight in San Francisco). Kong is being watched by the organization Monarch inside a protective dome, as a massive storm has largely destroyed his home, Skull Island.
Humans are planning to use Kong to guide them to the Hollow Earth in search of a powerful energy source. This comes as Godzilla begins attacking people for reasons they don’t yet understand. Meanwhile, the CEO of Apex Cybernetics, Walter Simmons, is using the remains of King Ghidorah to build a robotic Godzilla, intending to destroy all Titans. This sets Godzilla and Kong on a path to clash, but ultimately, they’ll have to team up to face an even bigger danger.
The movie concludes with Godzilla returning to the ocean and Kong establishing a new kingdom for himself deep within the Hollow Earth. Godzilla vs. Kong was significantly reworked with the intention of potentially wrapping up the entire film series, as the previous Godzilla movie hadn’t performed well at the box office and the licensing agreement with Toho was nearing its end.
‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ (2024)
Released in 2024, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the latest installment in the MonsterVerse, following Godzilla vs. Kong three years prior. This new film also celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the original Godzilla movie that launched the franchise. In Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Godzilla and Kong must work together to defeat a powerful new foe and save the world from destruction.
Director Adam Wingard (known for films like You’re Next and The Guest) made history by directing two movies in the MonsterVerse series, including the previous installment, Godzilla vs. Kong. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire brings back Kaylee Hottle, Rebecca Hall, and Brian Tyree Henry as Kong and Godzilla battle to protect Earth from Shimo, a powerful, ice-breathing monster, and the ruthless titan Skar King. The film was a huge success, earning over $571.9 million globally and becoming the highest-grossing movie in the MonsterVerse, as well as the most successful Godzilla and King Kong films ever made.
‘Godzilla x Kong: Supernova’ (2027)
Warner Brothers Pictures / Toho
The latest MonsterVerse installment introduces a new, formidable foe discovered by the organization Monarch. Directed by Grant Sputore (known for I Am Mother) and written by David Callaham, the film features Kaitlyn Dever, Jack O’Connell, Sam Neill, Delroy Lindo, Matthew Modine, and the return of Dan Stevens as Trapper, a popular character from Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Scheduled to come out on March 26, 2027, this movie is the sixth installment in the MonsterVerse series and continues the story after Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Fans are eagerly speculating about which giant creature will be the next major villain. The title and early details suggest the film might explore more science fiction elements, all while still delivering the large-scale action the series is known for.
MonsterVerse in Order of Release
| Title | Release Date |
| Godzilla | May 16, 2014 |
| Kong: Skull Island | Mar. 17, 2017 |
| Godzilla: King of the Monsters | May 31, 2019 |
| Godzilla vs. Kong | Mar. 31, 2021 |
| Skull Island | Jun. 22, 2023 |
| Monarch: Legacy of Monsters | Nov. 17, 2023 |
| Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire | Mar. 29, 2024 |
| Godzilla x Kong: Supernova | Mar. 2027 |
MonsterVerse in Chronological Order
- Kong: Skull Island
- Skull Island
- Godzilla
- Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
- Godzilla: King of the Monsters
- Godzilla vs. Kong
- Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire
- Godzilla x Kong: Supernova
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2026-03-04 20:10