Exploring the MonsterVerse Timeline: A Guide for Newcomers

Though released after Godzilla (2014), the events of Kong: Skull Island take place much earlier, in 1973. The film explores the discovery of Skull Island, a mysterious, uncharted location in the Pacific Ocean. Here, a team of scientists and soldiers encounters the mighty King Kong, who rules over the island’s deadly ecosystem.

This film sets the stage for Kong’s pivotal role in the MonsterVerse and introduces Monarch, a secret organization dedicated to studying and containing these ancient creatures.

Fast forward to 2014, where the MonsterVerse truly begins with Godzilla. The film follows Monarch scientists as they track the reappearance of Godzilla, who rises from the ocean’s depths to combat a new threat—massive creatures known as MUTOs (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organisms). The film reestablishes Godzilla as a force of nature and protector of balance.

In 2019, the stakes rise dramatically in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. This sequel reveals the existence of numerous Titans, including fan-favorite Mothra, the fearsome Rodan, and Godzilla’s arch-nemesis, King Ghidorah. As the Titans awaken, humanity must grapple with their place in the natural order.

The film dives deeper into Monarch’s operations, the Titans’ connection to ancient myths, and the ongoing battle for Earth’s dominance.

Godzilla vs. Kong takes place in 2024 and delivers the long-awaited clash between two of cinema’s greatest titans. As Godzilla and Kong square off, secrets about their origins and the history of the Titans are unveiled.

The film culminates in an epic showdown that has massive implications for the future of the MonsterVerse.

Released in 2024, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire picks up after the events of Godzilla vs. Kong. In this film, Godzilla and Kong team up to face a new threat emerging from the Hollow Earth, an unexplored world beneath the surface. The film expands the lore of the MonsterVerse, delving deeper into the mysterious origins of these titans.

Technically, no.

Before the actual start of the MonsterVerse, there’s been dozens of Godzilla and King Kong movies, along with many other monsters.  Peter Jackson’s King Kong (2005) might come to mind as a potential start of the MonsterVerse.  Though it brought the giant ape to life in a way that captivated audiences worldwide, Jackson’s King Kong does not officially belong to the MonsterVerse. This film is a standalone work, a reimagining of the classic 1933 King Kong story, and is not connected to the ongoing MonsterVerse timeline.

That said, Jackson’s King Kong played a significant role in rekindling interest in the character, paving the way for Kong’s eventual inclusion in the MonsterVerse. For fans of King Kong, Godzilla, and other classic monster movies, this earlier film serves as a nostalgic trip down memory lane. However, the MonsterVerse presents a fresh take, building an interconnected story where these titans coexist and clash on a scale we’ve never seen before.