Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- campy
- heightened
- pulp adventure
- retro monster movie night
- camp movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a dull, poorly executed and derivative giant-monster sequel despite its expensive spectacle.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story extends King Kong's survival after his apparent death and introduces a female counterpart.
Kong's coma and artificial-heart implantation are the central medical premise behind his return.
Kong senses the newly discovered female ape and breaks loose to reach her.
The film moves from rainforest discovery and medical experimentation to Kong's escape and pursuit.
Films like King Kong Lives, and why
King Kong
Shared giant-monster spectacle, creature rampage, adventure plotting, and heightened fantasy tone.
Godzilla 1985
Shared sequel-driven kaiju action, destructive urban spectacle, and oversized creature effects.
Mighty Joe Young
Shared pulp adventure, animal-centered spectacle, jungle setting, and campy monster-movie sensibility.
The Monster Squad
Shared giant-creature fantasy, romanticized monster premise, and 1980s-era effects-driven entertainment.
Movie Details
- Director
- John Guillermin
- Release Date
- 1986-12-16
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 5.2 / 10 (275)
Cast
- Linda Hamilton
- Brian Kerwin
- Peter Elliott
- George Antoni
- John Ashton
- Peter Michael Goetz
- Frank Maraden
- Robin Cahall
- Jimmie Ray Weeks
- Michael Forest
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is King Kong Lives about?
- A revived King Kong escapes medical captivity when he senses a newly discovered female giant ape, unleashing a pulpy creature adventure.
- What is King Kong Lives like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of King Kong Lives as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is King Kong Lives violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in King Kong Lives as moderate.
- What did critics think of King Kong Lives?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a dull, poorly executed and derivative giant-monster sequel despite its expensive spectacle.
- Which films are like King Kong Lives?
- Films with a similar feel include King Kong, Godzilla 1985, Mighty Joe Young, and The Monster Squad.
- How long is King Kong Lives?
- King Kong Lives runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch King Kong Lives?
- In United States, King Kong Lives streams on Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
