Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire stomps into theaters this weekend, so here’s how to watch the four previous movies in the ‘MonsterVerse’.
In a world of cinematic universes dominating movie theaters, it only made sense to wrangle the iconic monsters Kong and Godzilla into one of their very own. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the latest entry in the ‘MonsterVerse movie franchise which began in 2014, and in this adventure, we watch the two titular titans team up to battle against a new foe. Before the blockbuster hits theaters on Friday, March 29th 2024, be sure to bring yourself up to speed and watch the four movies that came before it…
Godzilla (2014)
As a Godzilla obsessive ever since I was a kid, I can’t even describe how excited I was for this back then, and while far from a perfect monster movie, I thought it was a brilliant way to reimagine the most colossal of screen icons.
Starring rumored James Bond actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Breaking Bad‘s Bryan Cranston, the movie has some great performances but fewer glimpses of Godzilla than you’d expect. However, when he does show up, it’s gloriously atmospheric.
Fighting against two monsters referred to as MUTOs, the final showdown deserves your patience.
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Where to watch: On Netflix and HBO Max, or rent on Prime Video for $3.99
Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Expanding the Monsterverse in this second franchise installment, we move over from Godzilla and instead head over to Skull Island with a cast that includes Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, and Samuel L. Jackson—just to name a few.
The group of scientists and soldiers heads to the destination in 1973 and are shocked to encounter the great ape and an assortment of deadly predators.
Kong is the real star here, and be sure to stick around for the post-credits scene that ties it into the evolving cinematic universe.
Where to watch: On Max, YouTube (primetime subscription), or rent on Prime Video for $3.99
Godzilla: King Of The Monsters (2019)
In this second Godzilla movie and the third entry in the series overall, fans are truly spoilt with the legendary Godzilla foes thrown into the mix, inviting us to watch the titular powerhouse unite with Mothra to take down Ghidorah and Rodan.
Boasting plenty of blockbuster thrills, the franchise really starts to come into its own with this one, cementing a universe with lots of potential for crossover.
Again, taking a page from Marvel Studios’ book, be sure to stick around for the post-credits scene that sets up the fourth movie…
Where to watch: On Max, Hulu, or rent on Prime Video from $3.79
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
That fourth movie is Godzilla vs. Kong, the ultimate face-off that viewers were waiting for.
Standing out as the most ambitious of the bunch yet, the film chronicles the clash between the two titans after Kong is transported from Skull Island to the Hollow Earth, a realm of monsters that will prove very important to the next installment.
It’s a total blast, and the final fight ushers in an iconic Godzilla villain that will make fans swoon.
Where to watch: On Max, Hulu, and rent on Prime Video from $3.79
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire opens in theaters on Friday, March 29th 2024.
