Are you a huge fan of the larger-than-life adventures and epic monster battles in King Kong? Well, you’re in luck! There are plenty of other thrilling films out there that capture a similar vibe and deliver the same kind of jaw-dropping spectacle. From rampaging creatures to perilous jungle expeditions, these 18 movies are sure to satisfy your craving for King Kong-style excitement. Let’s dive in and explore them!
1. Kong: Skull Island (2017)
If you loved the most recent King Kong film, then Kong: Skull Island is an absolute must-watch. Set in the 1970s, this action-packed blockbuster follows a team of explorers and soldiers as they venture deep into the mysterious and treacherous Skull Island. There, they encounter the mighty Kong, who rules over the island’s exotic and deadly creatures.
With its stunning visuals, intense monster battles, and all-star cast including Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, and Samuel L. Jackson, Kong: Skull Island is a wildly entertaining adventure from start to finish. It perfectly captures the wonder, danger, and sheer epicness that made the original King Kong so iconic.
2. Godzilla (2014)
Another must-see for fans of giant monster mayhem is the 2014 American reboot of Godzilla. Directed by Gareth Edwards, this film updates the classic Japanese kaiju for modern audiences while paying loving tribute to the original. When ancient giant creatures known as MUTOs awaken and threaten humanity, our only hope may lie with the legendary Godzilla, who rises from the depths to battle them.
Featuring incredible CGI, thunderous monster action, and a talented ensemble cast led by Bryan Cranston and Ken Watanabe, Godzilla is a smart, stylish, and massively entertaining film that proves the King of the Monsters is still as awe-inspiring as ever. It’s a must for any King Kong fan’s watchlist.
3. The Legend of Tarzan (2016)
For a different take on a classic adventure story, check out The Legend of Tarzan. Years after leaving the jungle and settling down with Jane in London, Tarzan is called back to his former home in the Congo to investigate shady activities at a mining camp. He soon becomes embroiled in a battle against a greedy, ruthless businessman and an old enemy with a score to settle.
With its blend of romance, drama, and vine-swinging action, The Legend of Tarzan offers a fresh spin on the iconic character while still delivering the excitement and wonder you’d expect. Alexander Skarsgård and Margot Robbie have great chemistry as Tarzan and Jane, and the visual effects bring the lush jungle setting to vivid life. It’s an old-fashioned adventure done with a modern sensibility.
4. Predators (2010)
On the surface, Predators might not seem to have much in common with King Kong. But if you love movies about humans struggling to survive against terrifying creatures in a hostile jungle environment, this sci-fi action thriller delivers in spades. Produced by Robert Rodriguez, it follows a group of elite warriors who are abducted and dropped onto an alien planet, where they find themselves hunted by the merciless, technologically-advanced Predators.
With its tense, fast-paced story, stellar cast led by Adrien Brody, breathtaking action sequences, and plenty of nods to the original Predator, this film is a pulse-pounding blast from start to finish. If you enjoy the “man vs. monster” thrills of King Kong, you’ll definitely want to give Predators a watch.
5. Jurassic Park III (2001)
The Jurassic Park movies have always captured a similar sense of wonder and terror as King Kong, with their marauding prehistoric beasts and humans fighting to survive on a remote island. And while the original is a stone-cold classic, Jurassic Park III is an underrated gem that’s well worth checking out.
Set after the events of The Lost World, the film sees Dr. Alan Grant reluctantly returning to dino-infested Isla Sorna after a boy goes missing there. Cue deadly encounters with Velociraptors, Pteranodons, and the fearsome Spinosaurus as Grant and the others struggle to escape the island alive. With some stellar set-pieces and creature effects, JP III is a fun, fast-paced monster movie romp.
6. Rodan (1956)
Going back to the early days of Japanese kaiju cinema, Rodan is a classic monster movie that should definitely be on any King Kong fan’s radar. When a mining accident unleashes a giant irradiated Pteranodon and its mate, the flying monsters leave a trail of destruction across Japan, ultimately leading to an epic confrontation with the military.
While not as well-known as Godzilla or Mothra, Rodan is a landmark entry in the kaiju genre, with spectacular miniature effects work, ambitious aerial battle scenes, and a palpable sense of apocalyptic dread. If you want to see where so many giant monster movies drew their inspiration, you need to check out Rodan.
7. Mighty Joe Young (1949)
A charming and heartfelt adventure film, Mighty Joe Young was made by many of the same creative team behind the original King Kong, including stop-motion effects maestro Willis O’Brien. The story follows a young woman who raised an orphaned giant gorilla named Joe in Africa. When a nightclub owner brings them to Hollywood, Joe becomes an overnight sensation, but his enormous size soon stirs up trouble.
Featuring groundbreaking special effects that still impress today, Mighty Joe Young has a warmth, humor and poignancy that sets it apart from King Kong while still delivering classic giant ape action. It’s a true all-ages delight.
8. Rampage (2018)
Loosely based on the classic video game series, Rampage stars Dwayne Johnson as a primatologist whose beloved albino gorilla George is mutated into a giant rampaging monster after being exposed to a genetic experiment. Now George, along with a mutated wolf and crocodile, are tearing a path of destruction toward Chicago, and it’s up to Johnson and a genetic engineer to stop them.
Big, loud, and gleefully over-the-top, Rampage fully embraces its video game roots while still crafting a highly entertaining monster movie spectacle. Johnson’s easy charisma anchors the whole thing, and the creature effects are top-notch. If you’re looking for a fun, turn-off-your-brain blockbuster with plenty of city-smashing action, Rampage is just the ticket.
9. The Valley of Gwangi (1969)
A criminally underrated gem from stop-motion legend Ray Harryhausen, The Valley of Gwangi is a rip-roaring dinosaur western adventure. Set in Mexico around the turn of the 20th century, it follows a cowboy and a traveling Wild West show that venture into the titular valley, where prehistoric creatures still roam. They capture a vicious Allosaurus, but naturally, the beast breaks free and wreaks havoc.
With its colorful Old West setting, memorable human characters, and some of Harryhausen’s most jaw-dropping stop-motion creations, The Valley of Gwangi is pure pulpy fun from start to finish. The climactic sequence of Gwangi rampaging through a Mexican town is a master class in monster movie mayhem.
10. Colossal (2016)
For something completely different, check out the wildly original Colossal. Anne Hathaway stars as Gloria, an unemployed writer who moves back to her hometown after a messy breakup. After a giant monster starts attacking Seoul, Gloria realizes that she is somehow psychically connected to the creature, and that it mimics her movements.
To say more would spoil the many surprises of this wholly unique film, which mingles monster movie tropes with dark comedy, social satire, and thoughtful character drama. Hathaway gives a terrific performance, and the film continually zigs where you expect it to zag. It’s a smart, funny, and ultimately powerful movie that puts a fresh spin on the kaiju genre.
11. Tremors (1990)
A pitch-perfect blend of horror, comedy, and sci-fi action, Tremors follows two handymen in a small Nevada town who find themselves battling giant subterranean monsters dubbed “Graboids.” As the creatures pick off the town’s colorful residents one by one, it’s up to our heroes to find a way to outsmart and destroy them.
With a witty script, likable characters, and some genuinely thrilling and inventive set-pieces, Tremors is a monstrously entertaining B-movie blast. The creature effects are terrific, and the film milks its premise for every drop of suspense, humor, and excitement. It may not have the epic scale of King Kong, but it’s got just as much heart and imagination.
12. The Host (2006)
One of the best and most original monster movies of the 21st century, Bong Joon-ho’s The Host follows a dysfunctional family’s attempts to rescue their daughter after she’s abducted by a mutated amphibious creature that emerges from Seoul’s Han River. Equal parts nerve-jangling creature feature and poignant family drama, the film is a showcase for Bong’s incredible directorial skills.
With its perfect balance of scares, laughs, and genuine emotion, The Host is a truly unique and unforgettable film that puts a fresh spin on classic monster movie tropes. The creature effects are top-notch, the set-pieces are stunning, and the performances are terrific across the board. It’s a modern monster movie masterpiece.
13. Trollhunter (2010)
A found-footage monster movie with a uniquely Scandinavian flavor, Trollhunter follows a group of Norwegian film students who discover that their country’s forests are home to giant trolls, and that the government employs professional hunters to keep their population in check. As they accompany one such hunter on his missions, they learn the truth about these fearsome fairy tale creatures.
Shot with a gritty, low-budget aesthetic that only enhances its sense of realism and danger, Trollhunter is a clever, scary, and darkly funny film that breathes new life into the found-footage format. The troll effects are impressive, and the film’s dry Nordic humor provides a perfect counterpoint to its moments of monster movie terror.
14. Cloverfield (2008)
Another found-footage gem, Cloverfield chronicles a giant monster’s rampage through New York City from the perspective of a group of friends trying to survive the chaos. Produced by J.J. Abrams and directed by Matt Reeves, the film is a master class in how to build tension and deliver thrills on a budget.
By keeping its monster hidden for much of its runtime and focusing on the human drama unfolding amid the destruction, Cloverfield creates a palpable sense of dread and realism that makes its eventual creature reveal all the more impactful. It’s a nerve-shredding ride that ranks among the best giant monster movies of the century so far.
15. The Mist (2007)
Based on the Stephen King novella, The Mist traps a group of small-town residents in a supermarket after a strange fog rolls in, bringing with it a horde of terrifying creatures. As the survivors battle both the monsters outside and their own mounting paranoia and mistrust, the film becomes a pressure-cooker of horror and human drama.
Anchored by a stellar cast led by Thomas Jane and Marcia Gay Harden, The Mist is a tense, scary, and ultimately devastating film that explores how crisis can bring out both the best and worst in people. The creature effects are memorably horrifying, but it’s the human element that makes the film so powerful and unforgettable.
16. Monsters (2010)
A unique and intimate take on the giant monster movie, Monsters follows a journalist and a tourist trying to make their way through an infected zone in Mexico where giant alien creatures have taken root. Rather than focusing on large-scale destruction, the film is more interested in how people live and love in the shadow of these awe-inspiring beasts.
With its stunning cinematography, naturalistic performances, and thought-provoking themes, Monsters is a quietly powerful film that uses its fantastical premise to explore very human stories. The creature effects are seamlessly integrated into the low-key narrative, and the film’s haunting final shot is one for the ages.
17. The Great Wall (2016)
A US-China co-production directed by the great Zhang Yimou, The Great Wall stars Matt Damon as a European mercenary in ancient China who gets caught up in a battle between the Chinese army and a horde of ravenous monsters known as Tao Tei. As he fights alongside the elite female warriors of the Nameless Order, he comes to respect and admire their courage and skill.
While not without its flaws, The Great Wall is a visually stunning and action-packed monster movie that benefits greatly from Zhang’s masterful direction and the committed performances of its international cast. The creature designs are unique and memorable, and the film’s colorful, larger-than-life style is a perfect fit for its mythic story.
18. Pacific Rim (2013)
Guillermo del Toro’s love letter to kaiju movies and anime, Pacific Rim is set in a future where giant monsters known as Kaiju emerge from an interdimensional rift at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean to wreak havoc on coastal cities. To combat them, humanity builds equally giant robotic war machines called Jaegers, piloted by pairs of rangers connected by a mental link.
With its spectacular visual effects, bone-rattling action scenes, and earnest, unironic embrace of its premise, Pacific Rim is a pure delight for fans of monster movies and mecha anime. Del Toro directs the hell out of every frame, and the film’s colorful cast of characters and memorable creature designs make it a joy to watch from start to finish. It’s a loving tribute to the genre that also carves out its own unique identity.
So there you have it, 18 must-see movies for anyone who loves the giant monster thrills and adventure of King Kong. Whether you’re in the mood for classic creature features, found-footage terror, or quirky genre-benders, there’s something on this list for every fan of cinematic behemoths. So grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready to experience the awesome might of these celluloid titans!
