King Kong (franchise)
A giant ape franchise spanning films, TV, and merchandise.
King Kong is an American monster media franchise centered on a giant ape living on a primordial island inhabited by prehistoric creatures. The franchise began with the 1933 film King Kong, co-directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, which revolutionized special effects through stop-motion animation by Willis H. O'Brien and became a box office success despite the Great Depression. The franchise has since expanded to thirteen films, television shows, novels, comic books, video games, attractions, and other merchandise, with Kong typically portrayed as a benevolent and sometimes violent protagonist.
Quick Facts
- Title
- King Kong
- Origin
- King Kong (1933)
- Years
- 1933–present
- Comics
- Full list
- Films
- 13 films; 1933–present
- Musicals
- King Kong (2013)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Ownership of the films has varied due to licensing. The original 1933 film and its sequel were owned by RKO, later inherited by Warner Bros. in 1996. In the 1970s, a legal dispute arose between Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures over rights to a remake, with both studios claiming they had secured rights from RKO. The article notes that accounts vary as to the genesis of the 1976 remake, with producer Dino De Laurentiis and ABC executive Michael Eisner each claiming credit. The franchise has experienced several hiatuses and revivals, inspiring other genre films such as Mighty Joe Young, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Godzilla, Mothra, and Jurassic Park.
Reader's Guide
The King Kong franchise holds significant historical importance in cinema, primarily due to the 1933 original film's revolutionary stop-motion effects by Willis H. O'Brien, which left a lasting impact on the film industry worldwide. The film is widely regarded as a masterpiece and one of the greatest monster films ever made, selected for preservation by the National Film Registry. The franchise's influence extends beyond its own entries, inspiring numerous other monster and creature features across different studios and countries. The 1962 crossover King Kong vs. Godzilla was a major box office success in Japan, becoming the second-highest-grossing Japanese-produced film at the time and demonstrating the franchise's international appeal. The legal battles over remake rights in the 1970s highlight the commercial value and contested ownership of the property. The franchise's ability to adapt through different eras—from stop motion to suitmation to modern CGI—and its recurring presence in popular culture through various media underscore its enduring legacy as a foundational monster franchise.
Did You Know?
- The original 1933 King Kong earned $90,000 in its first four days despite opening during the Great Depression.
- Willis H. O'Brien's stop-motion effects in the 1933 film revolutionized special effects worldwide.
- The 1962 film King Kong vs. Godzilla sold approximately 12.55 million tickets in Japan.
- The 1976 remake rights were disputed between Universal and Paramount, with both studios believing they had secured rights from RKO.
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