The Correct Order To Watch The MonsterVerse Franchise
04 -03-2024
Godzilla, kaiju and monster movies are experiencing a golden era. There is something to suit everyone, no matter how familiar you are with Toho's iconic character or what part of his mythos appeals to you. The Oscar-nominated "Godzilla Minus One", which brings Godzilla back to its roots, is a masterpiece. The TV series focuses on the human characters and there are also blockbuster films.
Hollywood didn't figure out until 2014 how to create a "Godzilla movie" with a large budget after the 1998 Roland Emmerich disaster. The MonsterVerse franchise has grown to be one of today's most popular blockbuster series. The silliness and continuity of Toho's best kaiju films are mixed with the world-building. As a result, MonsterVerse is now a franchise that includes dozens of characters with their kaiju in an environment that's post-apocalyptic.
The franchise is sometimes confusing. It can be difficult for someone who is new to the MonsterVerse franchise to understand where to start, given that the naming scheme for this universe has not been clearly defined. It's especially confusing if you only know that there are 33 Godzilla movies.
We can help. This is your guide on how to enjoy the MonsterVerse to its fullest.
Watching the MonsterVerse Franchise in order
Warner Bros. Pictures
The MonsterVerse titles are not as easy to understand. Unlike the titles of the John Wick franchise which clearly state the order in which to watch the movies, they don't have titles which make this very obvious. The correct order to watch MonsterVerse movies is by the release date, with one exception.
Godzilla (2014)
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters 2023
Kong: Skull Island (2017
Godzilla King of the Monsters 2019
Godzilla vs Kong (2021)
Godzilla x Kong : The New Empire (2019)
In the first film, "Godzilla", we are introduced to a very similar world. Nothing seems out of place. But then Godzilla strikes and everything is changed. The film introduces us to the title monster but also introduces the Titans, other giant creatures. We are then introduced to a secret organisation called Monarch which has been tracking these monsters over the years.
Apple TV+'s "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters", which is set partly in 2014, after Godzilla destroyed Tokyo, explains Monarch's origins and shows the group attempting to stop another Kaiju attack.
We think that even though the events of "Kong: Skull Island", which took place decades before Godzilla, actually occurred in the 1970s it is still worth watching third. The film includes an expedition to Skull Island, a confrontation with King Kong, and the discovery of the island's mysterious protector.
The film, set a few decades after the release of "Godzilla," is basically a brawl among a dozen titans. Mothra, one of Toho’s most iconic characters, is finally on screen in this movie.
In "Godzilla vs Kong," the main two monsters are pitted against each other, and humanity tries its best to defend itself. However, it ends up creating a bigger threat in the form of Mechagodzilla.
This year we will finally get "Godzilla x Kong", the buddy-cop kaiju film we have always wanted.
How to get the most out of MonsterVerse by following the right order
The MonsterVerse should be watched in the MonsterVerse's chronological order for a very simple reason: to track the world-building progress of the franchise. This 2014 Godzilla does an excellent job setting up the universe, and hinting the secrets history of Monarch and kaiju. It basically feeds information out at the pace that the characters learn about it. It would be a mistake to watch "Kong Skull Island", as it will take away the impact that "Godzilla" has. This is a Godzilla franchise and it only makes sense that he should be your first experience.
While the MonsterVerse films aren't interested in how the monsters affect our daily lives, we do recommend that you watch them from the beginning to see the increasing activity by these giant creatures who are slowly destroying all major landmarks around the globe. The TV series "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" does an excellent job of expanding on the history of Monarch, which is touched upon in "Kong: Skull Island," and adding context to the MonsterVerse world and the human face to it. By watching the show earlier, rather than waiting until it's released to watch it, you can better understand the significance of Monarch within the MonsterVerse, and also set up the "Skull Island", as well as tease events in later franchises.