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Kong: Skull Island

Kong: Skull Island

All hail the king.

2017118 minPG-13Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films
Director
Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Starring
Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson

Explore the mysterious and dangerous home of the king of the apes as a team of explorers ventures deep inside the treacherous, primordial island.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Kong: Skull Island?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Kong: Skull Island to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Kong: Skull Island?

Kong: Skull Island earns 9 badges, led by Cultural touchstone and Spectacle.

Show 1 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content

Reception

Is Kong: Skull Island worth watching?

Kong: Skull Island's Midcredits score is the 67th percentile of all films, from 1.1M ratings across 6 sources. 61% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

67th percentile

Better received than 67% of films

81st percentile among Action67th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)65th
Approval (how many liked it)67th

66 /100

65th percentile of all films

80th percentile among Action65th percentile among 2010s

Critics 62 · Audience 66

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.7 — solid but not unanimous.

61% liked it

67th percentile of all films

78th percentile among Action68th percentile among 2010s
61% rated it 7–1039% rated it 1–6

Critics 75% · Audience 70%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 1 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 24 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Visual Effects

99th percentile

1.1M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Action99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 48% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$185M
Opening weekend$61M
Domestic gross$168M
Worldwide gross$569M

Returned 3.1× its budget — 97th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A big, brainless monster spectacle with impressive visuals but a shallow story.

Fans praised

  • spectacular monster action and CGI, especially Kong's scale and creature designs
  • entertaining, fast-paced B-movie fun that doesn't take itself too seriously
  • strong performances from John C. Reilly, Samuel L. Jackson, and the cast overall

Detractors panned

  • thin, clichéd plot with no real substance or character development
  • predictable and illogical character decisions (e.g., helicopters staying in Kong's reach)
  • wasted talented cast on one-dimensional, uninteresting characters

What stands out

Effects and spectacleDivisive85

Top-notch CGI, impressive creature designs and monster fights

CinematographyDivisive80

Striking visuals, beautiful landscapes, atmospheric lighting

Sound and musicDivisive75

Great 70s soundtrack enhances mood; score effective

ActingDivisive70

Cast praised—John C. Reilly, Samuel L. Jackson standout; some wasted talent

PacingDivisive70

Fast-paced, never dull for fans; some say rushed

Characters30

One-dimensional, underdeveloped, unmemorable except Reilly's Marlow

Dialogue30

Cheesy, clichéd, hammy B-movie lines

Plot and story25

Thin, predictable, full of illogical plot holes and contrivances

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 25 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 9 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s even
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Kong: Skull Island like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Scary: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want to be scared.

It is intense, never lets up and leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Scary.

The answer rests on this: Moods
ThrillingDreadElegiac
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsEpic · 2% of films: Vast in scale: big landscapes, big stakes, a long span.Playful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its monster-movie premise straight but with a knowing wink, embracing B-movie spectacle and comic-book energy.
The rideThe film moves from tense dread and thrilling action to a elegiac final battle and aftermath.
StructureThe story unfolds linearly from the expedition's departure through the island encounter to the climactic battle and aftermath.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunRousing · 10% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you exhilarated by its monster spectacle and rock soundtrack, a classic creature-feature high.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterInvasion
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% (this title) · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Invasion: An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).

21% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe film follows a military-scientific expedition that invades Skull Island, triggering a conflict with Kong and later the Skullcrawlers, which must be overcome.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% (this title) · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% (this title) · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Survival

SurvivalViolence · 4% of filmsNature · 2% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Global stakes: Consequences reach the world.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film is about surviving a hostile island full of monsters, with the violence of war echoing in the characters' choices and nature as an indifferent force.
StanceThe film observes survival and nature without strong moralizing, presenting humans and monsters as forces in a larger ecosystem.

The world

Late 20th centuryWildernessInstitutionalFantasy
Orchestral modernRockForeground music · original score · Henry Jackman
SettingSkull Island in the South Pacific, 1973, during the final days of the Vietnam War
MusicThe score blends orchestral themes with 1970s rock and war-movie brass, underscoring the period and action.

Content guide

Is Kong: Skull Island okay for kids?

PG-13

Kong: Skull Island is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for brief strong language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (77/100), sexual content at minimal (14/100), language at moderate (53/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (13/100) and frightening material at intense (69/100). Overall it is heavier than 92% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 27 other countries
  • UK12A
  • Canada14A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland12A
  • New ZealandM
  • JapanPG-12
  • South Korea12
  • Brazil12
  • Belgium16
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark15
  • Hungary16
  • LTN-13
  • MexicoB
  • Netherlands12
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • RO15
  • Russia16+
  • SK12
  • Spain12
  • Sweden11
  • Switzerland16
  • Taiwan保護級
  • Türkiye13+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 61% of all filmsHeavier than 92% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 96%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 18%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 76%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 12%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 89%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence and frightening material.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Kong: Skull Island have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Kong: Skull Island?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Tom Hiddleston
as James Conrad
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Samuel L. Jackson
as Preston Packard
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
John Goodman
as Bill Randa
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Brie Larson
as Mason Weaver
Tian Jing
as San
Toby Kebbell
as Jack Chapman
John Ortiz
as Victor Nieves
Corey Hawkins
as Houston Brooks
Jason Mitchell
as Mills
Shea Whigham
as Cole
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.

Crew

Directed by

Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Written by

Dan Gilroy

More like this

What are movies like Kong: Skull Island?

Movies like Kong: Skull Island include Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire (2024), Godzilla (2014) and Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994). Of the 12 closest matches, most are stories about monsters, and several are films set on an island.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its story type: creature feature. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Kong: Skull Island?

386 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: soldier. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.