The recent Godzilla vs. Kong has demonstrated that there's a real appetite for this MonsterVerse and signifies that the franchise may only just be ramping up. For anyone new to the genre or to the worlds of Godzilla and King Kong, it might be difficult to know where to start.
It can often help to know the lore of a franchise or be familiar with past entries before diving headfirst into the latest kaiju blockbuster. By looking at the past, new fans might also get an idea of where the future of the franchise is heading and which deadly monsters could potentially turn up next. Whether it's a past film, comic, or even anime, there are lots of ways into this universe.
Godzilla (2014)
For those jumping into the current MonsterVerse, Godzilla seems like a logical place to start. The 2004 reboot reintroduced audiences to this massive beast and tried to bring in a number of more human narratives for the monster to interact with.
While not a complete runaway success in terms of its pacing, the film did a great job of capturing the scale of the titan and brought new interest in the character. It's a perfect foundation for the other films to be built on and a natural beginner's point for anyone unfamiliar with Godzilla.
Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Kong: Skull Island is one of the strongest movies within the new era of the MonsterVerse. With intriguing human characters and a journey to Skull Island captured in all of its glory, this really is a massive blockbuster success and a fun popcorn flick.
The range of monsters alone is something to behold, but this is also a non-traditional introduction to Kong, which still captures the essence of the character as both a sympathetic creature and a mighty king on the island. It's another vital piece to watch before Godzilla Vs. Kong, as it features some brilliant performances.
Godzilla: King Of The Monsters (2019)
Godzilla: King of the Monsters is a sequel to 2014's Godzilla and the penultimate movie before Godzilla vs. Kong. Another crucial film to watch, it establishes Godzilla's dominance and why a conflict may arise between the kaiju and the gorilla in the first place.
It also brings Ghidorah into the mix, who has a massive part to play in Godzilla vs Kong, as well as introducing the human characters who will be crucial in the next stage of the journey. Godzilla: King of the Monsters is an exciting action flick and Mothra is a much-welcomed addition to this new continuity.
Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
As theorized by fans, Mechagodzilla has quite the part to play in Godzilla vs. Kong. Without spoiling too much, it might be appropriate to get further background on the character while also honoring a classic piece of Godzilla history. This 1974 film is a great way to do just that.
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla was the first introduction of Mechagodzilla on screen. The robotic equivalent to the kaiju was a significant threat in this picture. What's brilliant about the movie is that it utilizes the old stop motion techniques that the franchise is famed for.
King Kong (2005)
Peter Jackon's take on King Kong is perhaps one of the definitive cinematic portrayals of the character. It looks at his time on Skull Island before being moved to New York and plays off of the classic imagery of the character.
It's a timeless piece of filmmaking, boasting an impressive cast and some truly one-of-a-kind visual effects. For anyone trying to understand who King Kong really is, this is definitely the best feature-length production that honors the legacy of the hero.
Godzilla: Rage Across Time (2016)
While Godzilla's home is really on the big screen, that doesn't mean that creatives haven't had a go at adapting his story to other mediums. To demonstrate the versatility of the character as well as the history of his franchise, the comic Rage Across Time is worth checking out.
Published by IDW and featuring writing from the likes of Jeremy Robinson and art by Matt Frank, this is an anthology book that travels through time looking at the origins of some of mythology's most famous monsters, bringing them firmly into the world of the kaiju. It's an intriguing premise that has been strongly executed on the page.
Kong: King of Skull Island (2005)
In 2005, a novel was written by Brad Strickland and John Michlig featuring illustrations by Joe DeVito. The premise of the book was to create an official tie-in sequel to the original 1933 King Kong movie, for which DeVito and Strickland had also written a novel.
Kong: King of Skull Island is a great read and one that really dives deep into the world of Kong. It's a fantastic characterization of the beast and explores his origins a little bit more, all while jumping between both New York and Skull island. It's a good setup for a well-known cinematic creation.
Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah (1991)
While Ghidorah has been previously mentioned, his importance of the character in Godzilla's history and indeed to the recent MonsterVerse cannot be understated. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah is a great movie to lean into Godzilla vs. Kong.
It has high stakes, is one of Godzilla's most significant threats, and again the character has a great role to play in the recent additions to the franchise. It's a throwback classic and one of the movies that kaiju fans deem to be of high importance.
Kong On The Planet of the Apes (2017)
In terms of demonstrating the scope of this franchise and how it can be spun out into other movie-verses or perhaps bring in alternate characters in the future, this Boom! Studios comic from writer Ryan Ferrier and artist Carlos Magno is one to check out.
Set in the same universe as the Planet of the Apes, the story looks at what would happen if King Kong was introduced into that landscape. It's a lot of fun and a narrative that's certainly as unexpected as it is action-packed. A cinematic installment could always be in the cards.
Godzilla Singular Point (2021)
Netflix has already stepped into the anime world of Godzilla, but its latest offering Singular Point is one that fans are especially eager for. With the trailer already promising an action-packed series, there's a lot to explore with this new take on the franchise.
Featuring a range of new and familiar monsters and a narrative that teases the next step in Godzilla's journey, the best way to continue to interact with this ongoing franchise is to stay up to date with the latest developments in its long history. This anime could prove to be revolutionary for the character.