Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- adventurous
- witty
- romantic
- classic monster movie night
- retro adventure night
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the remake as lively, accessible entertainment that balances strong special effects and performances with a comic-book sensibility, though it lacks the original's eerie mythic atmosphere.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kong is captured and displayed at a gala exhibit after being treated as a profitable attraction.
Kong develops an attachment to Dwan and is framed as a feeling being amid human violence and exploitation.
The remake shifts the expedition toward oil exploration and presents Kong through 1970s adventure filmmaking and urban spectacle.
The film emphasizes Kong, a giant snake, helicopters, and Manhattan-scale destruction through elaborate physical effects.
Films like King Kong, and why
King Kong
shared giant-monster adventure, romantic fantasy, spectacle, and tragic human-animal bond
Jurassic Park
shared island exploration, creature peril, adventure spectacle, and awe-driven effects
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
shared giant creature premise, urban destruction, fantasy adventure, and 1970s blockbuster sensibility
Mighty Joe Young
shared romantic adventure fantasy, comic-book tone, and emotionally sympathetic monster
Movie Details
- Director
- John Guillermin
- Release Date
- 1976-12-15
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (954)
Cast
- Jeff Bridges
- Jessica Lange
- Charles Grodin
- John Randolph
- René Auberjonois
- Julius Harris
- Jack O'Halloran
- Ed Lauter
- John Agar
- Jorge Moreno
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 reckless oil expedition turns an island legend into a captured spectacle when a giant ape forms a bond with the woman offered to him.
- What is King Kong like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of King Kong as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is King Kong violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in King Kong as mild.
- What did critics think of King Kong?
- Critics broadly viewed the remake as lively, accessible entertainment that balances strong special effects and performances with a comic-book sensibility, though it lacks the original's eerie mythic atmosphere.
- Which films are like King Kong?
- Films with a similar feel include King Kong, Jurassic Park, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, and Mighty Joe Young.
- How long is King Kong?
- King Kong runs 134 minutes.
- Where can I watch King Kong?
- In United States, King Kong streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
