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Godzilla: King of the Monsters

Godzilla: King of the Monsters

Long live the king.

2019132 minPG-13Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
Director
Michael Dougherty
Starring
Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Ken Watanabe

Follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species, thought to be mere myths, rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity's very existence hanging in the balance.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Godzilla: King of the Monsters?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Godzilla: King of the Monsters streaming on ViX via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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via Prime Video

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Godzilla: King of the Monsters?

Godzilla: King of the Monsters earns 5 badges, led by Spectacle and Guilty pleasure.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Godzilla: King of the Monsters worth watching?

Godzilla: King of the Monsters' Midcredits score is the 50th percentile of all films, from 725K ratings across 6 sources. 47% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

50th percentile

Better received than 50% of films

67th percentile among Action51st percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)52nd
Approval (how many liked it)48th

62 /100

52nd percentile of all films

69th percentile among Action52nd percentile among 2010s

Critics 48 · Audience 63

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.3 — solid but not unanimous.

47% liked it

48th percentile of all films

62nd percentile among Action47th percentile among 2010s
47% rated it 7–1053% rated it 1–6

Critics 42% · Audience 83%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 5 wins / 16 noms overall

93rd percentile

724K ratings across platforms

86th percentile among Action93rd percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 6% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$170M
Opening weekend$48M
Domestic gross$111M
Worldwide gross$387M

Returned 2.3× its budget — 95th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree it's a big, dumb monster movie where the creature action and visual effects are the main draw, while the human story and writing fall short.

Fans praised

  • epic titan battles with awe-inspiring scale
  • superb VFX and IMAX-worthy spectacle
  • loyal franchise callbacks and monster mythology

Detractors panned

  • weak, hole-ridden plot with illogical human decisions
  • underwritten characters and cringe-worthy dialogue
  • failed attempts at humor and emotional weight

What stands out

Effects and spectacle90

epic, jaw-dropping titan battles and CGI

Cinematography70

superb production design and visual polish

AtmosphereDivisive70

immersive world-building and mythic tone

PacingDivisive55

monster scenes deliver but human scenes drag

ActingDivisive50

competent but underutilized cast; Millie Bobby Brown singled out

DialogueDivisive35

cheesy one-liners; some find fun, others cringe

Plot and storyDivisive30

convoluted, logic-breaking, with boring human drama

CharactersDivisive30

humans thinly written, used as plot devices

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 4 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 6 points apart
  • Critics vs users 6 points apart
  • US vs non-US 4 points apart

Watch experience

What is Godzilla: King of the Monsters like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense and leaves you bittersweet.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseThrillingMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsEpic · 2% of films: Vast in scale: big landscapes, big stakes, a long span.Melodramatic · 9% of films: Heightened emotion, played large.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its monster battles and family drama straight, with earnest emotion and grand spectacle.
The rideThe film maintains a consistently tense and thrilling atmosphere through monster battles and global stakes, with a melancholic undercurrent from the family's loss, and the emotional weight peaks in the final sacrifice and battle.
StructureThe story follows a conventional setup, confrontation, and resolution with clear acts.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

BittersweetHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you exhilarated by monster spectacle but sobered by the human sacrifices and the cost of restoring balance.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterInvasion
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% (this title) · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Invasion: An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeGodzilla battles the alien King Ghidorah for dominance, with humanity caught in the middle of a fight for the planet.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% (this title) · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Survival

SurvivalFamily bondsNature · 2% of films
Warns its theme: Presents its theme as a danger or a coming cost.Global stakes: Consequences reach the world.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film revolves around humanity's struggle to survive against awakened Titans, while also exploring a fractured family's attempt to reunite and the idea of nature correcting human damage.
StanceThe film warns that humanity's environmental abuse has awakened natural forces (Titans) that could destroy civilization, and that coexistence or control is a desperate gamble.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanWildernessInstitutionalUnderwaterScience fiction
Orchestral modernForeground music · original score · Bear McCreary
SettingA world five years after giant monsters (Titans) have been revealed, with Monarch's secret outposts and global cities under attack.
MusicThe score incorporates the original Godzilla theme by Akira Ifukube and uses choir and percussion to underscore the titanic scale.

Content guide

Is Godzilla: King of the Monsters okay for kids?

PG-13

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for sequences of monster action violence and destruction, and for some language” (MPAA). As of August 19, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (62/100), sexual content at minimal (10/100), language at moderate (53/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (9/100) and frightening material at intense (64/100). Overall it is heavier than 76% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 34 other countries
  • UK12A
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • FranceTP
  • Ireland12A
  • New ZealandM
  • JapanG
  • South Korea12
  • Brazil12
  • Belgium16
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark11
  • FinlandK-12
  • GreeceK-12
  • Hong KongIIA
  • Hungary16
  • IndiaUA
  • ItalyT
  • LTN-13
  • MexicoB
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway12
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/12
  • RO12
  • Russia16+
  • SingaporePG13
  • SK12
  • Spain12
  • Sweden11
  • Switzerland12
  • Taiwan保護級
  • Türkiye13+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 47% of all filmsHeavier than 76% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 78%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 11%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 75%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 8%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 83%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is frightening material and violence.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Godzilla: King of the Monsters have?

MovieCove's classifier found 3 depicted content warnings in Godzilla: King of the Monsters: Gore or body horror (moderate), Animal death (mild), Gun violence (mild). Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

ModerateGore or body horror
MildAnimal deathGun violence

Cast and crew

Who is in Godzilla: King of the Monsters?

Cast

5 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Kyle Chandler
as Dr. Mark Russell
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Vera Farmiga
as Dr. Emma Russell
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Millie Bobby Brown
as Madison Russell
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Ken Watanabe
as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ziyi Zhang
as Dr. Ilene Chen
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Bradley Whitford
as Dr. Rick Stanton
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Sally Hawkins
as Dr. Vivienne Graham
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Charles Dance
as Alan Jonah
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Thomas Middleditch
as Sam Coleman
Aisha Hinds
as Colonel Diane Foster

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Godzilla: King of the Monsters?

Movies like Godzilla: King of the Monsters include Godzilla (2014), Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993). Of the 12 closest matches, several are animal horror films, and most are stories about giant monsters.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its subject: survival. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Godzilla: King of the Monsters?

773 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: alien. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.