Overview
A thrilling adventure unfolds as a film crew ventures into the unknown, where danger lurks at every turn.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- epic
- adventurous
- romantic
- blockbuster night
- creature feature marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's state-of-the-art visual effects, performances, and majestic spectacle while finding its epic length excessive for some viewers.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Skull Island contains Kong, giant insects, dinosaurs, and other beasts presented through large-scale action set pieces.
Kong is framed not only as a threat but as an intelligent creature whose bond with Ann drives the film's emotional impact.
Carl Denham's movie ambitions evolve into a plan to turn Kong into a marketable attraction.
The film reimagines the 1933 King Kong story with an unusually long runtime, expanded character development, and state-of-the-art effects.
Films like King Kong, and why
Godzilla
shared giant-monster spectacle, adventure peril, tragic human creature relationship, and mythic island setting
Jurassic Park
shared high-energy expedition narrative, prehistoric creatures, groundbreaking visual effects, and blockbuster adventure spectacle
The Shape of Water
shared romanticized monster tragedy, spectacle-driven action, and sympathy for an isolated nonhuman creature
Movie Details
- Director
- Peter Jackson
- Release Date
- 2005-12-12
- Runtime
- 188 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (8751)
Cast
- Naomi Watts
- Adrien Brody
- Jack Black
- Andy Serkis
- Colin Hanks
- Thomas Kretschmann
- Jamie Bell
- Kyle Chandler
- Evan Parke
- Lobo Chan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
- 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 about?
- A Depression-era filmmaker's quest for a sensational movie unleashes a colossal island gorilla whose bond with his leading lady becomes an epic tragedy.
- What is King Kong like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of King Kong as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is King Kong violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in King Kong as brutal.
- What did critics think of King Kong?
- Critics broadly praised the film's state-of-the-art visual effects, performances, and majestic spectacle while finding its epic length excessive for some viewers.
- Which films are like King Kong?
- Films with a similar feel include Godzilla, Jurassic Park, and The Shape of Water.
- How long is King Kong?
- King Kong runs 188 minutes.
- Where can I watch King Kong?
- In United States, King Kong streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
