Journey to the thrilling world where monsters loom over skyscrapers in the highly anticipated film, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Years after Godzilla and Kong clashed, Kong’s reign over the Great Apes is contested by the tyrannical Skar King, but something more powerful than all of them has awakened within the Hollow Earth, and the two recent enemies must unite to keep Kong’s crown and face an icy new foe.
As the excitement builds around this cinematic spectacle, we’ll explain all the details you should know and how to stream the film safely at home while avoiding pirated content and adhering to responsible streaming practices.
Everything You Should Know Before Seeing Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the fifth film of the Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ epic Monsterverse, which was seeded in 2014 with the release of Godzilla. The following year Kong returned to the silver screen in a reimagining that wowed audiences: Kong: Skull Island. Note that the 2005 film King Kong, distributed by Universal Studios and starring Jack Black, is a standalone take on the classic character and is unaffiliated with the current saga. Kong: Skull Island officially established the Monsterverse in a post-credits scene that showed pictographs of other fan-favorite titans, with the final image being that of Godzilla battling King Ghidorah.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the fifth film of the Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ epic Monsterverse, which was seeded in 2014 with the release of Godzilla. The following year Kong returned to the silver screen in a reimagining that wowed audiences: Kong: Skull Island. Note that the 2005 film King Kong, distributed by Universal Studios and starring Jack Black, is a standalone take on the classic character and is unaffiliated with the current saga. Kong: Skull Island officially established the Monsterverse in a post-credits scene that showed pictographs of other fan-favorite titans, with the final image being that of Godzilla battling King Ghidorah.
Since then, moviegoers have been thrilled as Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures have made good on their promise, bringing to life a roster of colossal beasts in the subsequent films. The newest film brings stunning special effects and epic fight scenes that are sure to amaze audiences.
Watching the Monsterverse in Order
To fully understand the depth and lore of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, you’ll want to make sure you’ve seen each Monsterverse installment in order (all are available to stream on Max):
- Godzilla (2014): Two colossal, insect-like creatures escape containment, exhausting military forces and laying waste to cities. When humanity seems doomed, an ancient alpha predator, Godzilla, rises from the depths of the sea to face them.
- Kong: Skull Island (2015): A team of military operatives and civilian contractors set out in helicopters to pierce the ever-present storms surrounding the mysterious Skull Island and explore its uncharted shores. As the clouds clear to reveal the untouched land, the expedition is attacked and strewn into the jungles below. Separated and terrified, the team must survive the island and the terrible, colossal creatures that call it home. Note that, chronologically, Kong: Skull Island is the first entry in the saga, taking place in 1973.
- Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019): Seeking to erase the harm humanity has inflicted upon the natural world, eco-terrorists plan to awaken long-sleeping titans to bring the world back to its natural state. As the gigantic beasts emerge, humanity turns to Godzilla as its protector.
- Godzilla vs. Kong (2021): When agents at Monarch remove Kong from his isolation on Skull Island in an attempt to return him to the Hollow Earth, they reignite an ancient war between the colossal ape and Godzilla himself.
Adam Wingard
Adam Wingard returns to direct Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, having directed its 2021 predecessor, Godzilla vs. Kong. Before earning his place in the monster movie annals, Wingard was no stranger to horror and suspense, having previously directed Netflix’s Death Note in 2017 and Lionsgate’s Blair Witch in 2016.
His other directing credits include The Guest (2014), You’re Next (2011), What Fun We Were Having (2011), and A Horrible Way To Die (2010).
Movie Plot
The world believed that Kong was the last of his kind. They were wrong.
Deep in the Hollow Earth, a battle cry reverberates through the air, contesting Kong’s reign. To keep his crown, Kong must face the whip-bearing Skar King. But, even with his powerful ax, Kong’s strength is tested when a new menace emerges from the Hollow Earth with breath that can freeze oceans.
As the new threats advance upon the cities of the world above, Kong and Godzilla team up to restore the balance between the Great Apes and the Titans.
Deeper Analysis, Speculation and Spoilers
The newest entry of the Monsterverse saga already has the internet abuzz with speculation and anticipation. Dominating the conversation is the reveal of The New Empire’s big bad. Although only visible from a distance in the recent trailers, product merchandising has revealed the white quadruped as Shimo, a gargantuan Titan with “Frost Bite” powers. Users on Reddit allege that Shimo is responsible for having brought forth one of Earth’s ice ages.
Featured much more prominently in the trailers is Kong’s adversary, Skar King, who also already has an action figure of his own. From the trailer, Skar King seems to lead an army of Great Apes emblazoned with red war paint who are loyal to him — or perhaps scared into submission.
Skar King wields a whip made out of bones and uses it in the trailer against Kong, severely injuring his right hand. Jessica Clemons of the YouTube channel New Rockstars predicts that this injury is what prompts Monarch to develop Kong’s “BEAST Glove” which allegedly stands for Bio-Enhanced Anatomech Seismic Thunder.
Another interesting detail to consider is the fact that up to this point in the franchise, Godzilla has sported blue dorsal spines, but partway through the trailers — as well as across the film’s official poster and products — the titanic reptile’s spines are now an electric pink. This could signal that Godzilla undergoes some manner of metamorphosis or power-up at some point during the duration of the film. It could also be a practical choice to better distinguish Godzilla visually from Shimo’s icy blue design during the film’s intense battle sequences.
Joining the character lineup is Suko, an adorable “mini-Kong” that already has franchise fans swooning.
Genre
The film is categorized on IMDb as action, adventure, and sci-fi. Its immediate predecessor, Godzilla vs. Kong, also by director Adam Wingard, was additionally tagged as a thriller. While the movie does have monstrous creatures, it is unlikely to deeply involve the elements of horror that underpin the monster movie genre and that Wingard has been previously known for.
Runtime
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is reported to have a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes.
Rating
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is rated PG-13 for creature violence and action. Such intense sequences and peril may not be suitable for children under the age of 13.
Theatrical Release Date
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire will be released in theaters on March 29, 2024, across the U.S.
Streaming Options
The film will be released exclusively in theaters and IMAX. After its theatrical run, Godzilla x King: The New Empire will likely join its predecessors on Max. While the previous films are currently included with a Max subscription, they are also available for purchase or rent on Apple TV+, Google Play, Prime Video, ROW8, and Vudu.
If you’re unsure whether a streaming platform is legitimate or not, turn to StreamSafely before interacting with a potentially dangerous site. We can help you recognize the telltale signs of illegal websites and provide you with free alternatives to watch your favorite flicks.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Official Trailer
Experience the new tech, new threats, and new alliances that shape the colossal world of the Monsterverse in the Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire official trailer.
Cast & Crew
Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Kaylee Hottle return as Irene, Bernie, and Jia, reprising their roles from Godzilla vs. Kong.
Hall is best known for her ritual role in 2016’s Christine, as well as playing opposite Christian Bale in 2008’s The Prestige as Sarah, wife to Bale’s character, Alfred Borden.
Henry has portrayed roles across theater, film, and television, most notably in 2022 opposite Jennifer Lawrence in the film Causeway, for which he received an Academy Award nomination. His portrayal of James in that film also landed him in Time Magazine’s top-10 list of best performances of the year.
Check out the list below for other members of this standout cast:
- Rebecca Hall: Ilene Andrews
- Brian Tyree Henry: Bernie Hayes
- Kaylee Hottle: Jia
- Dan Stevens: Trapper
- Fala Chen: Undisclosed
- Rachel House: Undisclosed
The crew includes:
- Director: Adam Wingard
- Writers: Terry Rossio, Simon Barrett, Jeremy Slater
- Producers: Adam Wingard, Jay Ashenfelter, Yoshimitsu Banno, Jennifer Conroy, Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Kenji Okuhira
- Composers: Antonio Di Iorio, Tom Holkenborg (as Junkie XL)
- Production Companies: Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures
How To Stream Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire will be released exclusively to theaters and IMAX. Currently, the previous installments of the Monsterverse franchise are available on Max, so be sure to keep a lookout there after the movie leaves theaters.
For a comprehensive guide on where to watch the Monsterverse saga and other blockbuster movies, check out our in-depth resources at StreamSafely. We believe in providing you with the best options for enjoying your favorite content without resorting to illegal streaming sites.
