For fans of kaiju and those who enjoy a little mayhem, the Monsterverse is the perfect cinematic escape where skyscrapers are the go-to wrestling arena. This shared universe features a series of films that revolve around Godzilla, King Kong, and other legendary monsters. Godzilla takes center stage as the alpha predator. And Kong, the oversized simian, isn’t just climbing buildings for attention. He’s a misunderstood forest giant with a penchant for sign language and a resumé that includes standing toe-to-toe with radioactive reptiles.
The human characters bless their hearts and navigate the chaos with awe and fear. As for us viewers, we love to bask in the mess of it all. We take pleasure in the destruction and root for the monsters that bring out our inner child. Thanks to the box office success of these films, a new MonsterVerse feature is in the works for 2024. So, let’s dive into that and take a chronological look at all the MonsterVerse flicks.
Godzilla (2014)
With a roar that reverberated through the cinematic landscape and the hearts of fans, Godzilla, directed by Gareth Edwards, revived the iconic kaiju. The 2014 Godzilla escaped the corny rubber-suit antics of its forerunners and became a CGI spectacle. It loomed over the horizon with magnificent shiny scales. Edwards displayed a masterful sense of suspense, building the Big G’s entrance with anticipation until the reveal sent shockwaves through the audience.
The picture added some much-needed seriousness to the monster movie genre, which wasn’t its only selling point. Bryan Cranston’s performance was a standout. He delivered emotional weight to a narrative that could have easily drowned in the spectacle. Godzilla was a nod to the franchise’s roots while firmly planting its foot in the 21st century. Plus, it wasn’t just about a giant lizard wreaking havoc but about nature’s response to humanity’s technological arrogance.
Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Kong: Skull Island, helmed by director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, thrust King Kong back into the spotlight with a fresh twist. The plot unfolds in 1973, during the Vietnam War. A group of scientists and military personnel are dispatched on a covert expedition to Skull Island. They encounter a variety of frightening monsters on the island, including the giant ape Kong, who dominates the island as its protector. The team must fight for survival on the island while simultaneously attempting to unravel its mysteries and the origins of Kong.
They quickly discover that the island is home to Skullcrawlers. This race of underground hominids is Kong’s main predator. Kong: Skull Island reimagined Kong as a towering, expressive force of nature. It also assembled a diverse cast of characters. From Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, and the scene-stealing John C. Reilly, the human element was as captivating as the looming primate spectacle. Their characters embark on this dangerous journey where Mother Nature has gone berserk, and Kong is just the tip of the iceberg.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
The Monsterverse franchise reaches new, catastrophic heights in Michael Dougherty’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Godzilla and his gigantic companions take center stage in a world-shaking battle for supremacy. Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah—the three-headed dragon—are unleashed in Dougherty’s ramped-up monster mayhem. The film explores the delicate balance between nature and humanity’s relentless pursuit of control.
Vera Farmiga, Kyle Chandler, and Millie Bobby Brown lead the human cast caught in the crossfire of the battle. Visually, King of the Monsters is a feast for the eyes, and critics, however, had varied reactions, praising the spectacle but criticizing the story, pacing, and character development. Despite this, the film enjoys a devoted following among fans who love its nods to the original Godzilla movies.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Godzilla vs. Kong is a crossover event directed by Adam Wingard that sets two of cinema’s most legendary monsters against each other. The story unfolds as humanity finds itself caught in the balance of a colossal battle between these two titans. The picture stars Alexander Skarsgard, Millie Bobby Brown, and Rebecca Hall, among others, and picks up where previous MonsterVerse movies left off. In Godzilla vs. Kong, Kong is taken from Skull Island to the Titans’ homeworld, Hollow Earth, in quest of a power source to stop Godzilla’s unexplained rampages.
The journey leads to a confrontation with Godzilla, resulting in a spectacular showdown that determines the king of the monsters. The film balances spectacular fights and human drama, allowing the audience to invest emotionally in the mayhem. The visual effects and action sequences in “Godzilla vs. Kong” garnered generally excellent reviews. The film was a box office success, shattering multiple pandemic records, and finished 2021 as the eighth-highest-grossing picture.
Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire (2024)
Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire is an upcoming film set to release on 12 April 2024. As the follow-up to the megahit Godzilla vs. Kong, this picture, directed by Adam Wingard, will have the legendary titans Godzilla and Kong facing off against an enormous, undiscovered danger in our world. This new adversary challenges the existence of these mighty creatures and poses a grave threat to humanity itself. The narrative delves deeper into the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, exploring the ancient Titan battle that forever intertwined the destinies of man and monster.
The cast includes returning stars such as Rebecca Hall as Dr. Ilene Andrews, Brian Tyree Henry as Bernie Hayes, and Kaylee Hottle as Jia. The film’s premise follows the explosive showdown from its predecessor, where Godzilla and Kong must once again join forces. The story promises to uncover the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever, offering fans a deeper look into the origins of Hollow Earth and the epic history of these Titans. With the tagline, “Bow to your new king,” Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire hints at an epic power struggle and the emergence of a new ruler in the Titan hierarchy.
