10 Best King Kong Films of all Time - Ranked

Griff Griffin
·2 min read
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King Kong has starred in a total of nine Hollywood movies (ten if you include one particularly obvious homage).

In this feature, we’re ranking them. So join us as for a countdown of the great ape’s best (and worst) films. And don't miss our feature on the 10 Best Godzilla films of all time - ranked.

<p>De Laurentiis Entertainment Group</p><p>The worst-rated King Kong movie on Rotten Tomatoes - but the list has to start somewhere. In this 1986 sequel to the 1976 King Kong remake, Kong gets a heart transplant, and has a passionate fling with Lady Kong.</p>

De Laurentiis Entertainment Group

The worst-rated King Kong movie on Rotten Tomatoes - but the list has to start somewhere. In this 1986 sequel to the 1976 King Kong remake, Kong gets a heart transplant, and has a passionate fling with Lady Kong.

<p>RKO Pictures</p><p>Movies moved fast in the ‘30s. This was filmed and released the same year the original movie, and sees Carl Denham returning to Skull Island and meeting Kong’s son.</p>

RKO Pictures

Movies moved fast in the ‘30s. This was filmed and released the same year the original movie, and sees Carl Denham returning to Skull Island and meeting Kong’s son.

<p>Toho</p><p>Arguably the strangest King Kong movie, this 1967 action film pits the ape against a robot version of Kong called Mechani-Kong. It also directly continues the storyline of the first King Kong vs. Godzilla.</p>

Toho

Arguably the strangest King Kong movie, this 1967 action film pits the ape against a robot version of Kong called Mechani-Kong. It also directly continues the storyline of the first King Kong vs. Godzilla.

<p>Disney</p><p>A King Kong movie in all but name, this breezy 1998 adventure film sees Bill Paxton and Charlize Theron attempt to reverse the original concept by releasing a giant captured ape back into the wild. Sadly, it bombed, making $50 million off a $90 million budget.</p>

Disney

A King Kong movie in all but name, this breezy 1998 adventure film sees Bill Paxton and Charlize Theron attempt to reverse the original concept by releasing a giant captured ape back into the wild. Sadly, it bombed, making $50 million off a $90 million budget.

<p>Toho</p><p>This was a movie of firsts. Not only was it the first time King Kong went toe to claw with Godzilla, but the first time audiences had seen either beast presented in colour, and also Kong’s first non-stop-motion appearance.</p>

Toho

This was a movie of firsts. Not only was it the first time King Kong went toe to claw with Godzilla, but the first time audiences had seen either beast presented in colour, and also Kong’s first non-stop-motion appearance.

<p>Warner Bros.</p><p>This is where King Kong enters the MonsterVerse. An origin story, it’s set in the ’70s, and follows a group of researchers’ fight to survive against a menagerie of oversized terrors.</p>

Warner Bros.

This is where King Kong enters the MonsterVerse. An origin story, it’s set in the ’70s, and follows a group of researchers’ fight to survive against a menagerie of oversized terrors.

<p>Paramount</p><p>The entertaining 1976 remake of the 1933 original swaps stop-motion Kong for man-in-a-suit Kong, with effects by VFX legend Rick Baker. Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, and Jessica Lange star.</p>

Paramount

The entertaining 1976 remake of the 1933 original swaps stop-motion Kong for man-in-a-suit Kong, with effects by VFX legend Rick Baker. Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, and Jessica Lange star.

<p>Warner Bros.</p><p>The most recent release in the growing MonsterVerse franchise spectacularly clashes the two titans against each other for the first time in the CGI era. In the worlds of Ken Watanabe’s Dr. Serizawa, “Let them fight.”</p>

Warner Bros.

The most recent release in the growing MonsterVerse franchise spectacularly clashes the two titans against each other for the first time in the CGI era. In the worlds of Ken Watanabe’s Dr. Serizawa, “Let them fight.”

<p>Universal</p><p>After completing his legendary Lord of the Rings trilogy, Jackon moved onto his dream project: a third King Kong remake. Gollum actor Andy Serkis motion-captures Kong in his most striking incarnation yet.</p>

Universal

After completing his legendary Lord of the Rings trilogy, Jackon moved onto his dream project: a third King Kong remake. Gollum actor Andy Serkis motion-captures Kong in his most striking incarnation yet.

<p>RKO, Warner Bros.</p><p>In an age of giant monster movies, one stood head and shoulders above them all. Pioneering stop-motion animation, matte painting, rear projection and miniatures combined in an early VFX feast.</p>

RKO, Warner Bros.

In an age of giant monster movies, one stood head and shoulders above them all. Pioneering stop-motion animation, matte painting, rear projection and miniatures combined in an early VFX feast.