The MonsterVerse is an American media franchise and shared cinematic universe that is centered on a series of films featuring gigantic monsters roaming on Earth, most prominently Godzilla and King Kong.
While each entry varies in terms of plot, three constant elements were commonly featured: the existence of the Titans, gigantic ancient monsters capable of reshaping Earth's ecosystem just as much as it reaps chaos everywhere it goes; an ever-shifting cast of characters caught in the chaos caused by these creatures; and the presence of Monarch, a secret worldwide organization sought to uncover the many mysteries regarding the Titans and accordingly deals with them.
The movies are distributed by Warner Bros. and produced by Legendary Pictures in partnership with Toho, the Japanese studio that codified the Kaiju genre and owns most of the well known Kaiju IPs. Currently, the series counts four films, which is as extensive as Legendary's initial contract with Toho lasted. There are talks for a fifth film
, while a live-action series set in the universe is in development at Apple TV+. In March 2022, it was announced that a new MonsterVerse project would begin filming in Australia by the end of the year, with no other details given other than it being a sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong; it would later be announced that Godzilla vs. Kong director Adam Wingard would return to direct the new film. The film was later announced to release on the 15th of March, 2024.
Interestingly, the franchise has given Toho enough confidence to throw their hat back into the ring with making a Shared Universe of monster movies after 2020 (naturally featuring people in rubber suits).
Media:
Films- Godzilla (2014)
- Kong: Skull Island (2017)
- Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
- Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
- Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
TV Series
- Skull Island (June 22nd, 2023) - Animated series premiering on Netflix set on the titular island and following a group of explorers as they try to survive the alien environment.
- Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (November 17th, 2023) - Live-action series premiering on Apple TV+ featuring Godzilla and the Titans, centered on a family discovering secrets about their history linking them to Monarch.
Comics
- Godzilla: Awakening (2014)
- Skull Island: The Birth of Kong (2017)
- Godzilla: Aftershock (2019)
- Kingdom Kong (2021)
- Godzilla Dominion (2021)
- Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong (2023)
- Godzilla x Kong: The Hunted (2023)
Video Games
- Godzilla: Crisis Defense (2014)
- Godzilla: Smash 3 (2014)
- Kong VR: Destination Skull Island (2017)
Others
- Kong: Skull Island Cinematic Adventure (2023) - Adventure and campaign setting for the Everyday Heroes RPG by Evil Genius Games.
