Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is a 2024 American monster film directed by Adam Wingard. Produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is the sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) and the fifth film in the Monsterverse franchise, also serving as the 38th film of the Godzilla franchise and 13th in the King Kong franchise. The film stars Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle, Alex Ferns, and Fala Chen. Hall, Henry, and Hottle reprise their roles from the previous film. In the film, Kong encounters more of his species in the Hollow Earth and must unite again with Godzilla to stop the tyrannical Skar King and the powerful, frost-breathing Shimo from invading the Earth’s surface.
Following the box office and streaming success of Godzilla vs. Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic, Legendary announced a sequel in March 2022 and that filming would commence later that year. In May 2022, it was announced that Wingard would return to direct and Stevens had bee n cast as a lead. Filming began in July 2022 in the Gold Coast, Australia, and finished in November 2022.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire premiered at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on March 25, 2024, and was released in the United States on March 29. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with many comparing it unfavorably to Godzilla Minus One. It has grossed $570 million worldwide on a $135–150 million budget, becoming the third-highest-grossing film of 2024, the highest-grossing film of the Monsterverse, and the highest-grossing film in the Godzilla and King Kong franchises. A sequel is set to be released on March 26, 2027.
Cast
- Rebecca Hall as Dr. Ilene Andrews, a scientist and anthropological linguist at Monarch
- Brian Tyree Henry as Bernie Hayes, a conspiracy theorist and former Apex employee
- Dan Stevens as Trapper, a veterinarian at Monarch
- Kaylee Hottle as Jia, last known survivor of the Iwi tribe and Ilene’s adopted daughter
- Alex Ferns as Mikael, a pilot at Monarch
- Fala Chen as Iwi Queen
- Rachel House as Hampton
- Ron Smyck as Harris
- Chantelle Jamieson as Jayne
- Greg Hatton as Lewis
- Kevin Copeland as Submarine Commander
- Tess Dobré as Submarine Officer
- Tim Carroll as Wilcox
- Anthony Brandon Wong as Talk Show Announcer
- Allan Henry as Kong and Skar King (performance capture)
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Adam Wingard |
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| Based on | Godzilla and Mothra by Toho Co., Ltd. |
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| Cinematography | Ben Seresin |
| Edited by | Josh Schaeffer |
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Production
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Legendary Pictures
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Release dates
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Running time
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115 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $135–150 million |
| Box office | $570 million |
Release
Theatrical
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire held its red carpet premiere at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on March 25, 2024. Afterward, it was released internationally on March 27 and in the United States on March 29,mand was released in Japan on April 26 via Toho. It was previously slated to be released on March 15 and April 12. Incidentally, Toho’s Godzilla Minus One was withdrawn from U.S. theaters eight weeks before the release of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Home media[edit]
The film was released on digital platforms on May 14, 2024, and on Blu-ray, DVD and Ultra HD Blu-ray on June 11, 2024. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire will be available to stream on Max beginning July 4, 2024.
