Film · in order
Godzilla MonsterVerse Movies in Order
The five Legendary MonsterVerse films in two clear orders: release order, the way audiences saw them, and chronological order, where Kong: Skull Island (set in 1973) comes first among the films.
Godzilla MonsterVerse Movies in Order — complete list
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Why this order?
The MonsterVerse is Legendary Pictures' shared Titan universe, and it is small and tidy enough that you can watch the whole thing in two evenings. There are five films, and the good news is that release order and story order line up almost perfectly — with one notable exception. For most viewers, release order is the right call: start with Godzilla (2014), then Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs. Kong, and finish with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. This is how the mythology, the human organization Monarch, and the rivalry between the two title creatures were designed to unfold.
Chronological order swaps just one of the films. Kong: Skull Island is set in 1973, decades before the other movies, so a timeline-first viewer should watch it first, then move to Godzilla (2014) and continue forward. The catch is that Skull Island works as a standalone period adventure and was built to be watched after the first Godzilla — its post-credits scene teases the wider universe — so leading with it slightly softens that reveal. That is the one real gotcha among the films.
One more piece reshapes the timeline if you include it: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023), an Apple TV+ series that jumps between Monarch's mid-century history and the aftermath of the 2014 San Francisco attack. It is optional and not required to follow the films, but it matters for how you think about the timeline. Its dual narrative includes 1950s scenes — which makes that strand the chronologically earliest content in the whole MonsterVerse, predating even Kong: Skull Island (1973), while its modern strand picks up after Godzilla (2014). So if you fold the series into a strict timeline, its 1950s material comes first of all, and its 2010s material slots in after the 2014 film.
If you enjoy this kind of connected blockbuster universe, the MonsterVerse scratches a similar itch to the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the DC films — fewer entries, more giant monsters, and almost no required homework.
Timeline 2014–2024
Every entry plotted by release year — see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
- Max (HBO Max)
- Apple TV (rent or buy)
- Amazon Prime Video (rent or buy)
- Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on Apple TV+
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Cameos & crossovers
Characters from MonsterVerse who also show up elsewhere — see the full character atlas →
- Godzilla
The King of the Monsters; anchors both the MonsterVerse and the classic Toho film line.
Also in Godzilla - King Ghidorah
Three-headed golden dragon, Godzilla's arch-nemesis in both MonsterVerse and Toho canon.
Also in Godzilla - Mechagodzilla
Mechanical Godzilla doppelganger built in both the MonsterVerse and Toho's films.
Also in Godzilla - Mothra
Guardian kaiju and recurring Toho titan, present across MonsterVerse and classic Godzilla films.
Also in Godzilla - Rodan
Fiery winged kaiju appearing in both the MonsterVerse and classic Godzilla movies.
Also in Godzilla
Frequently asked questions
How many MonsterVerse movies are there?
There are five released Legendary MonsterVerse films: Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island (2017), Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), Godzilla vs. Kong (2021), and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024). A sixth film, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, is slated for 2027.
What order should I watch MonsterVerse in?
For first-timers, watch in release order: Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs. Kong, then Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. It matches the intended story flow.
What is the chronological order of the MonsterVerse?
Among the films: Kong: Skull Island (set in 1973) first, then Godzilla (2014), Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs. Kong, and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Only Skull Island changes position versus release order. If you also count the Monarch: Legacy of Monsters series, its 1950s scenes are actually the earliest content of all, predating Skull Island.
Where does Monarch: Legacy of Monsters fit in?
The 2023 Apple TV+ series runs on a dual timeline: 1950s and 1970s Monarch history alongside the aftermath of the 2014 Godzilla attack. It is optional. On a strict timeline its 1950s thread is the earliest MonsterVerse content (before Kong: Skull Island, 1973), while its modern thread fits right after Godzilla (2014).
Do I need to watch the films in order?
It helps but isn't mandatory. Each film mostly stands on its own, though Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong build directly on earlier entries, so watching those last gives the most payoff.
Is the MonsterVerse connected to the older Japanese Godzilla films?
No. The MonsterVerse is Legendary's separate American continuity. It is unrelated to Toho's classic Godzilla films and to the standalone Godzilla Minus One (2023).
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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