Let’s revisit our favorite god-like creatures with all the Monsterverse movies ranked from worst to best, including Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
The Monsterverse movies are definitely not without flaws, but this universe has silently become one of the most successful franchises from the last decade. We have seen Godzilla and King Kong plenty of times separately, but this series was the first to ever have them cross over, and it was done on the biggest scale possible. Now five films deep, audiences have a wide range of Monsterverse movies with different casts. Here’s a list of all Monsterverse movies ranked from worst to best, including Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire!
5. Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
Director: Michael Dougherty
Godzilla: King of the Monsters is an over two-hour epic following Monarch, a crypto-zoological agency facing off a bunch of god-sized monsters as they rise following Godzilla’s return. Mothra, Rodan and King Ghidorah, past rivals of titular titan, all face off against Godzilla, each trying to prove that they are the king of the monsters. Godzilla: King of the Monsters falls at the bottom of this worst to best list because out of all the movies ranked, it has the least interesting concept. Audiences came to this film to watch giant monsters fight, but there is too much time spent with the human characters and it makes you feel every minute of the runtime. Luckily, the filmmakers improved on their mistakes in the following Monsterverse movies.
4. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
Director: Adam Wingard
While Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is better than the previously listed film, that doesn’t mean it is a good movie. There is a lot more to be appreciated here compared to King of Monsters, such as an extended focus on the monsters, but the lack of a strong plot makes this movie just average. After the events of Godzilla Vs Kong, Kong must reunite with Godzilla so that they can fight against a new threat in Hollow Earth. There is so little for the lead actors to do, and anytime they are on screen, the film slows down immensely. Also, since this is the most CGI-driven installment of the franchise, this film feels more artificial than its predecessors.
3. Godzilla (2014)
Director: Gareth Edwards
As the first installment in the Monsterverse franchise, it was a pretty good start. We follow Ford Brody (Aaron Taylor Johnson, of Bullet Train), who has just reunited with his family in San Francisco, and is forced to go to Japan to help combat a malevolent force making its way to his city. As far as action movies go, this is a pretty solid one. There is enough character work where you are watching for both Godzilla and the Brody family, and watching the initial Godzilla reveal will always be exciting.
2. Godzilla vs Kong (2021)
Director: Adam Wingard
Godzilla vs Kong is always going to rank high on any Monsterverse list, especially given the time that it came out. It was 2021, and theaters were struggling to get audiences back. I remember seeing trailers for this movie and it was the first film that my friends got excited to see on the big screen since lockdown. Watching Godzilla vs Kong in a full theater will always remain an unforgettable cinema experience for me, and luckily the film is very fun as well. Even if the character work is not the strongest, by the time we get to the climatic fight, it makes all the suspense built up for the last four films feel worth it.
1. Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Perhaps Kong: Skull Island ranks the highest because it feels the least like a Monsterverse movie. The film takes place after the Vietnam war. A team of researchers, led by Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Samuel L Jackson (Secret Invasion) and Brie Larson (The Marvels), adventure into an uncharted island and unknowingly invade Kong’s territory. One of this film’s greatest aspects, especially compared to the rest of the monsterverse movies, is the sympathetic light that the filmmakers shine on Kong. This choice makes audiences not only create a stronger attachment to him over Godzilla, but also makes the film a lot more thrilling. In almost all the Godzilla installments, you know he is going to win, but with Kong: Skull Island, there is more suspense with the antagonists. With a strong ensemble and a lovable focal character this film easily tops the worst to best ranking.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is out now globally in theaters. Watch the MonsterVerse movies in order:
- Godzilla (2014)
- Kong: Skull Island (2017)
- Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
- Godzilla vs Kong (2021)
- Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
