36 Best Movies like Kong: Skull Island (2017)

Jurassic Park earns its spot here because its sense of discovery and awe is driven by the group journeying into an uncharted, perilous habitat teeming with massive creatures. If Kong: Skull Island's expedition-based thrills grabbed you, the dinosaur-laden dangers of Jurassic Park will keep you riveted.

A wealthy entrepreneur secretly creates a theme park featuring living dinosaurs drawn from prehistoric DNA. Before opening day, he invites a team of experts and his two eager grandchildren to experience the park and help calm anxious investors. However, the park is anything but amusing as the security systems go off-line and the dinosaurs escape. Jurassic Park is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 7m runtime, released in 1993 with an average rating of 8.0 by 18,144 people. The movie made an estimated total of $1,058,454,230 in the box office.

The Lost World: Jurassic Park emphasizes the chaos that ensues when humans venture into the territory of colossal beasts. What sets this sequel apart is the relentless feeling of being unwelcome in a land ruled by something far older—a tension that will resonate strongly if you loved the primal energy of Kong: Skull Island.

Four years after Jurassic Park's genetically bred dinosaurs ran amok, multimillionaire John Hammond shocks chaos theorist Ian Malcolm by revealing that he has been breeding more beasties at a secret location. Malcolm, his paleontologist ladylove and a wildlife videographer join an expedition to document the lethal lizards' natural behavior in this action-packed thriller. The Lost World: Jurassic Park is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 9m runtime, released in 1997 with an average rating of 6.6 by 9,369 people. The movie made an estimated total of $618,638,999 in the box office.

King Kong (2005) stands out as a modern retelling of an iconic figure, plunging viewers into the dangers of a forgotten island realm. Its focus on the mythic scale of Kong and the raw spectacle of his domain closely aligns with the thrill of exploring Skull Island.

In 1933 New York, an overly ambitious movie producer coerces his cast and hired ship crew to travel to mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter Kong, a giant ape who is immediately smitten with the leading lady. King Kong is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 3h 8m runtime, released in 2005 with an average rating of 6.9 by 8,612 people. The movie made an estimated total of $562,363,449 in the box office.

Godzilla earns mention due to the sheer spectacle of titanic creatures clashing with humanity. The film immerses viewers in the chaos of monstrous power, making it an essential watch if the scale and adrenaline of Kong: Skull Island left an impression.

Ford Brody, a Navy bomb expert, has just reunited with his family in San Francisco when he is forced to go to Japan to help his estranged father, Joe. Soon, both men are swept up in an escalating crisis when an ancient alpha predator arises from the sea to combat malevolent adversaries that threaten the survival of humanity. The creatures leave colossal destruction in their wake, as they make their way toward their final battleground: San Francisco. Godzilla is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 3m runtime, released in 2014 with an average rating of 6.4 by 9,916 people. The movie made an estimated total of $524,978,362 in the box office.

Godzilla vs. Kong brings together two towering icons for an epic showdown, elevating the idea of gigantic monsters as forces of nature. If you were excited by Kong: Skull Island's larger-than-life action, the sheer magnitude of this face-off is impossible to resist.

In a time when monsters walk the Earth, humanity’s fight for its future sets Godzilla and Kong on a collision course that will see the two most powerful forces of nature on the planet collide in a spectacular battle for the ages. Godzilla vs. Kong is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 54m runtime, released in 2021 with an average rating of 7.5 by 10,737 people. The movie made an estimated total of $470,116,094 in the box office.

The Lost World (1925) offers a silent-era adventure where explorers confront prehistoric creatures amid untamed wilderness. For anyone who reveled in the sense of pioneering into uncharted domains in Kong: Skull Island, this classic delivers an early take on menacing, ancient lands.

The first film adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic novel about a land where prehistoric creatures still roam. The Lost World is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 44m runtime, released in 1925 with an average rating of 6.7 by 169 people.

The Land That Time Forgot is included for its plot about venturing into a hidden world untouched by modernity. The story thrives on the unknown and the dangers lurking within an environment suspended in time—qualities that will intrigue those who enjoyed the perilous island exploration in Kong: Skull Island.

During World War I, a German U-boat sinks a British passenger ship and takes the survivors aboard. After getting lost in fog, the submarine surfaces near the unknown island of Caprona, a lost world where they find dinosaurs and Neanderthals. The Land That Time Forgot is a movie from United Kingdom in English, with a total 1h 30m runtime, released in 1974 with an average rating of 5.7 by 201 people. The movie made an estimated total of $4,408,872 in the box office.

Congo distinguishes itself by centering exploration in a jungle setting brimming with mysterious threats. If you liked the adventure aspect of Kong: Skull Island, Congo’s journey into a realm filled with unexpected peril creates a similarly intriguing atmosphere of survival.

Eight people embark on an expedition into the Congo, a mysterious expanse of unexplored Africa, where human greed and the laws of nature have gone berserk. Congo is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 48m runtime, released in 1995 with an average rating of 5.6 by 1,007 people. The movie made an estimated total of $152,022,101 in the box office.

Annihilation deserves a place on this list thanks to its journey into an inexplicably transformed environment. The mysterious and otherworldly landscape evokes a sense of wonder and dread that aligns with the unsettling, unpredictable atmosphere that makes Kong: Skull Island so compelling.

A biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition into a mysterious zone where the laws of nature don't apply. Annihilation is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 55m runtime, released in 2018 with an average rating of 6.4 by 9,493 people. The movie made an estimated total of $43,070,915 in the box office.

Journey to the Center of the Earth stands out for its dive into adventure beneath the planet's surface. The excitement comes from traversing uncharted realms, discovering astonishing creatures, and facing dangers at every turn, echoing the exploration and high stakes of Kong: Skull Island.

On a quest to find out what happened to his missing brother, a scientist, his nephew and their mountain guide discover a fantastic and dangerous lost world in the center of the earth. Journey to the Center of the Earth is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 33m runtime, released in 2008 with an average rating of 6.1 by 5,230 people. The movie made an estimated total of $101,702,060 in the box office.

The Cave is noteworthy for the claustrophobic tension it generates as explorers penetrate an isolated, danger-filled environment. Its unique selling point is the constant suspense and lurking threats within the darkness, making it a strong fit for those who enjoyed the lurking dangers on Skull Island.

After a group of biologists discovers a huge network of unexplored caves in Romania and, believing it to be an undisturbed eco-system that has produced a new species, they hire the best American team of underwater cave explorers in the world. While exploring deeper into the underwater caves, a rockslide blocks their exit, and they soon discover a larger carnivorous creature has added them to its food chain. The Cave is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 37m runtime, released in 2005 with an average rating of 5.4 by 1,042 people. The movie made an estimated total of $33,296,457 in the box office.

The Monster is worth checking out for its singular focus on raw survival during a terrifying encounter with a powerful, mysterious creature. This intensity and close-quarters fear offer a different but equally gripping approach to facing an apex predator, much like the primal confrontations in Kong: Skull Island.

Stranded on a desolate road at night, a troubled mother and her daughter are stalked by a terrifying woodland creature while confronting the trauma of their fractured relationship. The Monster is a movie from Canada in English, with a total 1h 31m runtime, released in 2016 with an average rating of 5.5 by 610 people. The movie made an estimated total of $74,000 in the box office.

Tremors brings something fresh with its blend of horror and humor as people are hunted by unseen monsters beneath the desert. This mix of suspense and levity sets it apart—ideal for anyone looking for a creature feature with a distinct personality after Kong: Skull Island.

Val McKee and Earl Bassett are in a fight for their lives when they discover that their desolate town has been infested with gigantic, man-eating creatures that live below the ground. Tremors is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 36m runtime, released in 1990 with an average rating of 6.9 by 3,637 people. The movie made an estimated total of $48,572,000 in the box office.

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms stands tall as a pioneering monster film, unleashing a prehistoric terror upon modern civilization. The excitement here is witnessing a rampaging force of nature, making it a great recommendation for those who enjoyed the unstoppable presence in Kong: Skull Island.

The controlled explosion of an atomic bomb in the Arctic Circle awakens a frozen dinosaur that will wreak havoc in New York City. The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 20m runtime, released in 1953 with an average rating of 6.6 by 205 people. The movie made an estimated total of $5,000,000 in the box office.

Monster Hunter is notable for its action-driven sequences as humans confront monstrous adversaries in an unfamiliar world. The spectacle of battling towering beasts forms the core appeal, promising non-stop combat and visual thrills akin to what made Kong: Skull Island exciting.

A portal transports Cpt. Artemis and an elite unit of soldiers to a strange world where powerful monsters rule with deadly ferocity. Faced with relentless danger, the team encounters a mysterious hunter who may be their only hope to find a way home. Monster Hunter is a movie from China in English, with a total 1h 43m runtime, released in 2020 with an average rating of 6.5 by 3,616 people. The movie made an estimated total of $42,145,959 in the box office.

Rampage makes its mark thanks to its take on oversized, mutated animals wreaking havoc. The central appeal comes from witnessing the scale and chaos these creatures cause, ensuring a high-energy ride perfect for fans drawn to the over-the-top action in Kong: Skull Island.

Primatologist Davis Okoye shares an unshakable bond with George, the extraordinarily intelligent, silverback gorilla who has been in his care since birth. But a rogue genetic experiment gone awry mutates this gentle ape into a raging creature of enormous size. To make matters worse, it’s soon discovered there are other similarly altered animals. As these newly created alpha predators tear across North America, destroying everything in their path, Okoye teams with a discredited genetic engineer to secure an antidote, fighting his way through an ever-changing battlefield, not only to halt a global catastrophe but to save the fearsome creature that was once his friend. Rampage is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 47m runtime, released in 2018 with an average rating of 6.5 by 7,651 people. The movie made an estimated total of $428,028,233 in the box office.

The Valley of Gwangi delivers a unique adventure by blending cowboys with dinosaurs in a forbidden land. The novelty of merging genres bolsters its status as an essential pick, especially for viewers who crave something unexpected after the wild frontiers seen in Kong: Skull Island.

A turn of the century wild west show struggling to make a living in Mexico comes into the possession of a tiny prehistoric horse. This leads to an expedition to the Forbidden Valley where they discover living dinosaurs. They capture one and take it back to be put on display, leading to inevitable mayhem. The Valley of Gwangi is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 36m runtime, released in 1969 with an average rating of 7.1 by 166 people.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle takes the adventure to a vibrant, perilous setting that never stands still. The fun lies in the unpredictable trials faced by its ensemble cast, offering a lighter, energetic alternative to Skull Island’s intensity while still capturing the spirit of exploration.

Four teenagers in detention discover an old video game console with a game they’ve never heard of. When they decide to play, they are immediately sucked into the jungle world of Jumanji in the bodies of their avatars. They’ll have to complete the adventure of their lives filled with fun, thrills and danger or be stuck in the game forever! Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 59m runtime, released in 2017 with an average rating of 6.8 by 14,674 people. The movie made an estimated total of $995,339,117 in the box office.

Reign of Fire distinguishes itself with its depiction of human survival in a world dominated by dragons. The post-apocalyptic setting and high-stakes confrontations create a gritty atmosphere that should intrigue anyone drawn to the epic confrontations and relentless action of Kong: Skull Island.

In post-apocalyptic England, an American volunteer and a British survivor team up to fight off a brood of fire-breathing dragons seeking to return to global dominance after centuries of rest underground. The Brit -- leading a clan of survivors to hunt down the King of the Dragons -- has much at stake: His mother was killed by a dragon, but his love is still alive. Reign of Fire is a movie from Ireland in English, with a total 1h 41m runtime, released in 2002 with an average rating of 6.2 by 2,499 people. The movie made an estimated total of $82,150,183 in the box office.

The Relic earns inclusion for the suspense it creates as a monstrous entity stalks its human prey in confined spaces. If you're drawn to high-tension encounters with formidable creatures, this film's atmosphere is certain to keep you guessing much like those unpredictable moments in Kong: Skull Island.

A homicide detective teams up with an evolutionary biologist to hunt a giant creature that is killing people in a Chicago museum. The Relic is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 50m runtime, released in 1997 with an average rating of 6.2 by 643 people. The movie made an estimated total of $33,956,608 in the box office.

The Forbidden Kingdom stands apart thanks to its fantasy-driven journey through mystical realms. While its tone differs from Kong: Skull Island, the sense of embarking on an adventure filled with ancient powers and legendary beings makes it a worthy exploration for fans seeking more fantastical quests.

An American teenager who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics makes an extraordinary discovery in a Chinatown pawnshop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. With the lost relic in hand, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself travelling back to ancient China to join a crew of warriors from martial arts lore on a dangerous quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King. The Forbidden Kingdom is a movie from China in English, with a total 1h 44m runtime, released in 2008 with an average rating of 6.6 by 1,958 people. The movie made an estimated total of $127,906,624 in the box office.

The Host stands out for its emotional core, weaving a monster narrative with a focus on family and loss. This human-centered approach delivers a different kind of intensity and depth, making it a thoughtful follow-up for those searching for more than just creature spectacle.

A teenage girl is captured by a giant mutated squid-like creature that appears from Seoul's Han River after toxic waste was dumped in it, prompting her family into a frantic search for her. The Host is a movie from South Korea in Korean, with a total 2h 0m runtime, released in 2006 with an average rating of 7.0 by 3,193 people. The movie made an estimated total of $88,489,643 in the box office.

The Shadow in the North may seem an unconventional pick, but its inclusion is justified by an undercurrent of mystery and danger within a period setting. For anyone looking to branch out into suspenseful stories tinged with peril, this film offers a compelling change of pace.

Sally Lockhart crosses paths with the nefarious industrialist Axel Bellman, the richest and most powerful man in Europe. She's determined to prove him guilty of corruption and fraud, whilst Bellman will stop at nothing to destroy her case. The Shadow in the North is a movie from United Kingdom in English, with a total 1h 34m runtime, released in 2007 with an average rating of 6.6 by 22 people.

Black Water is a tense survival story where human characters are relentlessly menaced by a deadly creature in the wild. The raw fear and fight for survival make it especially effective for those captivated by Skull Island's constant threat of unseen predators.

Based on true events, Grace, her boyfriend Adam, and her younger sister, Lee, are on holiday in Northern Australia when they decide to take a tour down a river. As they drift into a swamp, their boat suddenly capsizes. Stranded in the flooded swamp, the three tourists must figure out what to do to survive as they realize they are being watched through the black water. Black Water is a movie from Australia in English, with a total 1h 30m runtime, released in 2008 with an average rating of 5.9 by 393 people. The movie made an estimated total of $1,271,556 in the box office.

The Descent stands out for its intense atmosphere and claustrophobic terror as spelunkers face horrors in deep underground caves. If it was the mood of lurking danger and relentless adversity in Kong: Skull Island that hooked you, this nerve-wracking journey will get under your skin.

After a personal tragedy, Sarah joins her friends on a caving expedition in the Appalachian Mountains. But when a rockfall traps them deep underground, their adventure turns into a nightmare. As they search for a way out, the group discovers they are not alone—lurking in the darkness are savage, cave-dwelling creatures. With rising tension and dwindling trust, the women must fight to survive against both the predators and each other. The Descent is a movie from United Kingdom in English, with a total 1h 40m runtime, released in 2005 with an average rating of 7.0 by 4,502 people. The movie made an estimated total of $57,130,027 in the box office.

Mighty Joe Young earns its recommendation by highlighting the emotional bond between humans and a giant ape. This connection, rather than pure action, adds an alternate emotional perspective for anyone seeking more heartfelt moments alongside the awe of gigantic creatures.

As a child living in Africa, Jill Young saw her mother killed while protecting wild gorillas from poachers led by Andrei Strasser. Now an adult, Jill cares for an orphaned gorilla named Joe -- who, due to a genetic anomaly, is 15 feet tall. When Gregg O'Hara arrives from California and sees the animal, he convinces Jill that Joe would be safest at his wildlife refuge. But Strasser follows them to the U.S., intent on capturing Joe for himself. Mighty Joe Young is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 54m runtime, released in 1998 with an average rating of 6.3 by 893 people.

The Meg takes the concept of massive, prehistoric predators and sets them loose in open water. For those eager for aquatic-scale thrills after Skull Island’s land-based terrors, this film delivers heart-pounding suspense as humans square off against the ultimate underwater menace.

A deep sea submersible pilot revisits his past fears in the Mariana Trench, and accidentally unleashes the seventy foot ancestor of the Great White Shark believed to be extinct. The Meg is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 53m runtime, released in 2018 with an average rating of 6.3 by 8,294 people. The movie made an estimated total of $530,517,320 in the box office.

Outlander earns a mention for its high concept: a stranger in a foreign land wrestling with threats both human and monstrous. The unusual blend of elements and the ongoing battle for survival will appeal to those interested in stories about adaptation to dangerous, unfamiliar environments.

During the reign of the Vikings, a man from another world crash-lands on Earth, bringing with him an alien predator. The man must fuse his advanced technology with the weaponry of the vikings to fight the monster. Outlander is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 55m runtime, released in 2008 with an average rating of 6.5 by 1,446 people. The movie made an estimated total of $7,033,683 in the box office.

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad brings to the table classic adventure and fantastical creatures, presented through legendary tales. Its mythic atmosphere and engagement with magical threats offer a whimsical and entertaining detour for those seeking a taste of escapist fantasy after Skull Island’s intensity.

When a princess is shrunken by an evil wizard, Sinbad must undertake a quest to an island of monsters to cure her and prevent a war. The 7th Voyage of Sinbad is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 28m runtime, released in 1958 with an average rating of 6.9 by 326 people.

The Mysterious Island earns its spot by taking the spirit of the unknown and setting it on an isolated land of hazards and wonders. This affinity for the uncharted, and the unpredictable journey it promises, perfectly suits fans of daring explorations like those in Kong: Skull Island.

On a volcanic island near the Kingdom of Hetvia rules Count Dakkar, a benevolent leader and scientist who has eliminated class distinction among the island's inhabitants. Dakkar, his sister Sonia and her fiance, engineer Nicolai Roget have designed a submarine which Roget pilots on its initial voyage just before the island is overrun by Baron Falon, despotic ruler of Hetvia. Falon sets out after Roget in a second submarine and the two craft, diving to the ocean's floor, discover a strange land populated by dragons, giant squid and an eerie undiscovered humanoid race. The Mysterious Island is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 35m runtime, released in 1929 with an average rating of 5.6 by 21 people.

The Ritual deserves recognition for its chilling, atmospheric trek through a forbidding wilderness. Foregoing spectacle in favor of psychological tension, it appeals to those who found the primal dangers and inhospitable terrain of Skull Island as potent as the creatures themselves.

A group of college friends reunite for a trip to the forest, but encounter a menacing presence in the woods that's stalking them. The Ritual is a movie from United Kingdom in English, with a total 1h 34m runtime, released in 2017 with an average rating of 6.3 by 3,514 people. The movie made an estimated total of $1,786,396 in the box office.

The 5th Wave sets itself apart as a story of humanity’s fight for survival amid overwhelming, world-altering threats. While its conflict is global rather than isolated, the theme of battling against titanic forces will intrigue anyone who enjoyed humanity pitted against formidable odds in Kong: Skull Island.

16-year-old Cassie Sullivan tries to survive in a world devastated by the waves of an alien invasion that has already decimated the population and knocked mankind back to the Stone Age. The 5th Wave is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 52m runtime, released in 2016 with an average rating of 5.9 by 6,097 people. The movie made an estimated total of $109,906,372 in the box office.

Love and Monsters uniquely balances thrills and heart by focusing on a monster-filled world and the protagonist’s personal journey through it. If the sense of adventure coupled with character-driven storytelling appeals to you, this film extends the legacy of human resilience seen in Kong: Skull Island.

Seven years since the Monsterpocalypse began, Joel Dawson has been living underground in order to survive. But after reconnecting over radio with his high school girlfriend Aimee, Joel decides to venture out to reunite with her, despite all the dangerous monsters that stand in his way. Love and Monsters is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 49m runtime, released in 2020 with an average rating of 7.3 by 4,524 people. The movie made an estimated total of $1,122,066 in the box office.

The Dinosaur Project is included for its take on documentary-style exploration of a land where prehistoric beasts roam. The drive to capture the extraordinary on camera injects excitement and immediacy—elements that should resonate with viewers captivated by the unknown perils in Kong: Skull Island.

Found footage of an expedition into the Congo jungle where a team of explorers stumbles upon a colony of Dinosaurs. The Dinosaur Project is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 23m runtime, released in 2012 with an average rating of 5.8 by 339 people. The movie made an estimated total of $2,412,576 in the box office.

The Savage Innocents stands apart for its exploration of survival against unforgiving natural elements. While creatures aren’t the core threat here, the thematic resonance of humankind versus primordial forces creates an intriguing link for those fascinated by the struggle for existence showcased in Kong: Skull Island.

An Eskimo who has had little contact with white men goes to a trading post where he accidentally kills a missionary and finds himself being pursued by the police. The Savage Innocents is a movie from France in English, with a total 1h 50m runtime, released in 1960 with an average rating of 6.8 by 45 people.

Prophecy makes its case by focusing on the environmental horror that emerges when nature itself becomes monstrous. The sense of escalating dread and confrontation with an unnatural threat gives it a chilling angle, perfect for viewers interested in how human interference can unleash new terrors.

When a dispute occurs between a logging operation and a nearby Native American tribe, Dr. Robert Verne and his wife, Maggie, are sent in to mediate. Chief John Hawks insists the loggers are poisoning the water supply, and, though company man Isley denies it, the Vernes can't ignore the strangely mutated wildlife roaming the woods. Robert captures a bear cub for testing and soon finds himself the target of an angry mutant grizzly. Prophecy is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 42m runtime, released in 1979 with an average rating of 5.5 by 151 people. The movie made an estimated total of $54,000,000 in the box office.