King Kong

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King Kong

Released Mar 2, 1933

1h 40m

Adventure

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

116 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Actress Ann Darrow (Fay Wray) and director Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) travel to the Indian Ocean to do location shoots for Denham's new jungle picture. Along the way, the actress meets and falls for rugged First Mate John Driscoll (Bruce Cabot). Upon arriving at a mysterious island, Ann is taken hostage by natives who prepare her as a sacrifice to the enormous ape Kong who rules over their jungle. But when Ann is rescued and Kong is captured, the real trouble begins.

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Critics Consensus

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.

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Mae Tinee

Chicago Tribune

King Kong is one of the most original, thrilling and mammoth novelties to emerge from a movie studio. A great show! But don't take nervous children to see it.

Nov 10, 2022

Full Review

Len G. Shaw

Detroit Free Press

Trickery? Nothing else, of course. But it is so ingenious, and on such a stupendous scale as the studios seldom if ever before yielded. It doesn't matter how the "shots" were made. You will be too busy wondering what is to happen next to Fay Wray.

Nov 10, 2022

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Edwin Schallert

Los Angeles Times

This is a great circus show. And it outdoes circuses, because it has its own menagerie. The kind that a paleontologist would rave about, and the sort that will make you believe that the screen has grown up overnight scientifically.

Nov 10, 2022

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

King Kong might seem dated because of the 1930s visual effects but the pioneering effects are a primary reason why this film is a classic and still discussed today.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 6, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

In the days of modern special effects, the stop-motion giant gorilla Kong may not be realistic to contemporary eyes, but he is a fully realized character in his own right, brought to life with personality and passion.

Aug 19, 2023

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Zita Short

InSession Film

At its core, this is about the fragile, complicated relationship between King Kong, a giant ape living on Skull Island, and Ann Darrow...

Feb 2, 2023

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Kim H

A classic, which need no introduction at all. Everyone knows King Kong.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/12/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 2/3 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

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David F

Pioneering special effects, a great desert island plot, and an early appearance of The Empire State Building in film, this old black and white film has it all.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

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TOM B

King Kong still resonates today. It's dramatic tone, character portrayals and special effects are still appreciated more than 50 years after my 1st viewing. I own ot on DVD as part of my permanent collection. The scripting in those days emphasised character building especially King Kong's own personality. A rare movie, like the original Frankenstein for me hold an everlasting wonder.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

Full Review

Bobby B

This film is peak thirties horror-action. Screw dracula, screw frankenstein, this is the real deal. Despite it being 91 yrs old, the fx hold up.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/25/24

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Evan B

While I absolutely love the effects in the film, the absolutely dated and stereotypical portrayal of Africans completely sinks this for me. Not to mention, it’s just slow.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/04/25

Full Review

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Merian C. Cooper

Director

Ernest B. Schoedsack

Director

Fay Wray

Ann Darrow

Bruce Cabot

John Driscoll

Robert Armstrong

Carl Denham

Frank Reicher

Captain Englehorn

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King Kong: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Actress Ann Darrow (Fay Wray) and director Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) travel to the Indian Ocean to do location shoots for Denham's new jungle picture. Along the way, the actress meets and falls for rugged First Mate John Driscoll (Bruce Cabot). Upon arriving at a mysterious island, Ann is taken hostage by natives who prepare her as a sacrifice to the enormous ape Kong who rules over their jungle. But when Ann is rescued and Kong is captured, the real trouble begins.

Director: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
Producer: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
Screenwriter: James Ashmore Creelman, Ruth Rose
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 2, 1933, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 28, 2008
Runtime: 1h 40m

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