King Kong (1933)
94%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: Won 3 Oscars
46 wins & 104 nominations total
King Kong explores the soul of a monster — making audiences scream and cry throughout the film — in large part due to Kong’s breakthrough special effects.
King Kong is the ultimate monster movie that has stood the test of time. With its groundbreaking special effects and captivating storyline, it’s no wonder that it has become a classic in the world of cinema. While some may argue that the human characters are lacking, the real star of the show is Kong himself. He’s big, he’s bad, and he’s the king of the jungle. Watching him climb the Empire State Building is a sight to behold, and even though the effects may seem a bit dated now, it’s still a thrilling experience. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride with the Eighth Wonder of the World.
Production Company(ies)
Universal Pictures, Wing Nut Films, Big Primate Pictures,
Distributor
RKO Radio Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Shelly Bay, Wellington, New Zealand
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for frightening adventure violence and some disturbing images
Year of Release
1933
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital EX SDDS DTS-ES Dolby Stereo Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 40m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 2, 1933 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 22, 2005
Genre(s)
Adventure/Fantasy
Keyword(s)
starring Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher, Sam Hardy, Noble Johnson, directed by Merian C Cooper, Ernest B Schoedsack, written by James Ashmore Creelman, Ruth Rose, adventure, fantasy, box office success, budget, reviewed by Adam Kempenaar, THR Staff, Mark Chalon Smith, Irene Thirer, Joe Bigelow, Willis O’Brien, Dave Kehr, Brian Eggert, Matt Neal, Matt Brunson, Allen Almachar, Mike Massie, MPAA rating, produced by Merian C Cooper, Ernest B Schoedsack
Worldwide gross: $556,906,378
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $848,716,038
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 129
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 92,553,548
US/Canada gross: $218,080,025
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $332,350,323
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 159
US/Canada opening weekend: $50,130,145
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $76,397,505
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 116
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $207,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $315,464,550
Production budget ranking: 15
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $169,877,660
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $363,373,828
ROI to date (est.): 75%
ROI ranking: 1,035
Bruce Cabot – John Driscoll
Robert Armstrong – Carl Denham
Frank Reicher – Captain Englehorn
Sam Hardy – Charles Weston
Noble Johnson – Native Chief
Director(s)
Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
Writer(s)
James Ashmore Creelman, Ruth Rose
Producer(s)
Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 3 Oscars
46 wins & 104 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Best Achievement in Sound Editing Winners, Oscar Best Achievement in Sound Mixing Winners, Oscar Best Achievement in Visual Effects Winners, Oscar Nominees, Oscar Winners
All Critics (67) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (66) | Rotten (1)
Kong’s imaginativeness is inarguably one of the reasons it was such a hit and why it has endured.
April 3, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Adam Kempenaar
Filmspotting
TOP CRITIC
[Fay] Wray has never been more beautiful before the camera, nor acted as well as she does in this production.
March 2, 2018
THR Staff
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
The story, like Frankenstein and Dracula, has taken on the significance of a modern folk tale, layered with obvious moralizing and as familiar as personal history.
October 5, 2013
Mark Chalon Smith
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
“King Kong,” as spectacular a bolt of celluloid as has thrilled audiences in a couple of sophisticated seasons, is the product of a number of vivid imaginations.
March 7, 2013
Irene Thirer
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
Kong mystifies as well as it horrifies, and may open up a new medium for scaring babies via the screen.
July 2, 2007
Joe Bigelow
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Willis O’Brien did the stop-action animation for this 1933 feature, which is richer in character than most of the human cast.
July 2, 2007
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Hailed for out-thrilling the wildest thrills, Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack’s 1933 classic King Kong delivers an essential component of Hollywood cinema: escape.
February 12, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
It’s effects are transporting and dazzling, but they are merely means to end, which is to tell a tale of humanity’s (and Hollywood’s) hubris.
August 10, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Matt Neal
ABC Radio (Australia)
In much the same manner as The Wizard of Oz and It’s a Wonderful Life, this masterpiece long ago entered into the national consciousness as an enduring part of our heritage.
March 26, 2021 | Rating: 4/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
This film is one of the great achievements of the action-adventure genre.
August 6, 2020
Allen Almachar
The MacGuffin
Despite its many storytelling flaws, the real attraction here is the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World,’ Kong himself.
July 27, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
A spectacle…what’s impressive is that even though Kong looks a little wonky now, you’re still able to latch onto the character.
March 22, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Luke Parker
VoiceBoxOffice…
Plot
Carl Denham needs to finish his movie and has the perfect location; Skull Island. But he still needs to find a leading lady. This ‘soon-to-be-unfortunate’ soul is Ann Darrow. No one knows what they will encounter on this island and why it is so mysterious, but once they reach it, they will soon find out. Living on this hidden island is a giant gorilla and this beast now has Ann is its grasps. Carl and Ann’s new love, Jack Driscoll must travel through the jungle looking for Kong and Ann, whilst avoiding all sorts of creatures and beasts. But Carl has another plan in mind.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film or anyone in the cast on Fresh Kernels.
Merian-C.-Cooper.jpg
