---
title: "Kong: Skull Island"
year: 2017
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/kong-skull-island"
fi1m_id: "kong-skull-island"
imdb_id: "tt3731562"
tmdb_id: 293167
wikidata_id: "Q21203766"
fi1m_score: 71
critics_score: 60
critics_reviews: 30
published: "2026-10-05T14:25:18.919588+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T14:25:19.380928+00:00"
region: "ZA"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Kong: Skull Island (2017)

Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts · 1h 58m · Action, Adventure, Fantasy

## Identity

Kong: Skull Island

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/kong-skull-island
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** kong-skull-island
- **IMDb ID:** tt3731562
- **TMDB ID:** 293167
- **Wikidata ID:** Q21203766
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3731562/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/293167, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21203766

**Fi1m score: 71** · Critics 60 from 30 reviews

*In a sentence:* The helicopters make a persuasive case for leaving the giant ape alone

> Jordan Vogt-Roberts makes an enjoyable monster adventure with a convincing Kong and too little for the people to do. The helicopter encounter earns our attention; the thin characters make it harder to keep.

## Synopsis

Captain James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston) arrives on Skull Island alongside Bill Randa (John Goodman), Mason Weaver (Brie Larson) and Lieutenant Colonel Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson). Kong, a giant ape, confronts the newcomers’ helicopters, making survival the immediate concern for Conrad and his companions. The aircraft offer little protection against a creature of his size. Conrad needs to get his companions through territory occupied by other dangerous creatures, while the party’s arrival has brought it into direct conflict with Kong.

## Review

*Kong: Skull Island* is an enjoyable creature feature with a serious shortage of interesting people. Jordan Vogt-Roberts puts his effort into the monsters and their encounters, with results that are often funny and satisfyingly physical. It has enough invention to justify an evening for anyone fond of oversized animals causing trouble. We recommend it on those terms, although the stretches when the humans take charge require more patience than they should.

The early helicopter encounter gets the proportions right. Larry Fong uses the aircraft to make Kong’s size clear, so we can see at once how badly mismatched the two sides are. We were delighted by it, because the effects give Kong enough weight to make this absurd confrontation feel physical. The scene also gives the creature a personality, which matters when so many other attractions are competing for attention.

The screenplay by Derek Connolly, Max Borenstein and Dan Gilroy is less attentive to the human characters. Tom Hiddleston’s Captain James Conrad is capable enough as a lead, but the performance gives us little reason to wonder what he might be thinking between dangers. Brie Larson’s Mason Weaver has even less room to become someone we can care about, despite a watchfulness that suggests she could. Samuel L. Jackson gives Lieutenant Colonel Preston Packard a forceful presence, although force alone cannot supply the missing nuance.

Stefan Dechant’s production design helps make the island feel worth exploring, even when the screenplay treats it chiefly as a place for another creature encounter. The monsters look as though they belong there, and their variety gives us a reason to remain curious about the next threat. Henry Jackman’s score supplies competent support for the action, but it is less memorable than the period songs. The creatures are sufficiently expressive that the music rarely seems to be adding much we could not already understand from watching them.

The Vietnam-war parallels are less rewarding. Jordan Vogt-Roberts makes the connection emphatic, but the people are too sketchy for the military imagery to tell us much about them. We can enjoy the scale of the confrontation without finding the implied commentary particularly thoughtful. The script asks us to take familiar ideas about men and violence seriously, while giving those men little beyond a function in the next encounter.

Richard Pearson, Christian Wagner and Bob Murawski keep the first stretch moving briskly, but the rhythm becomes less satisfying as the encounters accumulate. A creature arrives, the action takes over, and the humans have to make the next gap interesting; too often they cannot. At 118 minutes, this is hardly an endurance test, yet the weaker exchanges make it feel longer than it needs to. The switches between comic adventure and more savage monster action can also jar, because the script has not made us care enough about the people caught between them.

Anyone looking for the dread of a horror film should adjust their expectations: this is rowdy adventure, with monsters supplied in generous quantities. There is no need to admire its thoughts about warfare to enjoy the scale and silliness of the fights. Take it on those terms and the weak conversation becomes easier to forgive.

*Fi1m score 71, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean towards qualified enjoyment, with praise clustering around the creature effects, energetic monster battles and John C. Reilly’s warmth and comic timing. Kong’s encounter with the helicopters is a recurring highlight, while several critics find the ape expressive enough to compensate for thinly written human characters. Reilly earns approval even from some detractors, giving the adventure humour and feeling that the other performances have less opportunity to supply.

The spread is wide, however, running from enthusiastic approval to complaints of tedious action and weak storytelling. Underdeveloped characters are a common reservation even in favourable reviews; the Vietnam-war parallels divide opinion over how effectively the film handles its politics. Critics also disagree about the creatures themselves: Variety praises their imaginative variety, while Slant Magazine finds them dependent on size and gore. The central split is over whether the monster action supplies enough pleasure to make the screenplay’s shortcomings forgivable.

## Straight answers

**Is Kong: Skull Island worth watching?**

*Kong: Skull Island* is worth watching for fans of large-scale creature action, and we score it 71 out of 100. The helicopter encounter gives Kong convincing weight and personality, but the thin human characters make the gaps between monster fights less entertaining than they should be.

**How long is Kong: Skull Island, and what is it rated?**

*Kong: Skull Island* runs 1h 58m. It is an action and adventure film.

**Where can I watch Kong: Skull Island in South Africa?**

*Kong: Skull Island* is streaming on Netflix in South Africa, and it is also available to rent from Apple TV from R34.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Kong: Skull Island, and is it suitable for children?**

*Kong: Skull Island* carries a UK 12A certificate and mixes rowdy adventure with savage monster action, making it a cautious choice for younger children. We find it more boisterous than dread-filled, but the creature attacks and jarring shifts in tone warrant care with sensitive viewers; under-12s need an accompanying adult at the cinema.

**How does Kong: Skull Island compare to Jurassic Park?**

*Kong: Skull Island* offers rowdier monster action than [*Jurassic Park*](https://film.one/film/jurassic-park), but we recommend the dinosaur adventure more strongly for its patience, sharper characterisation and suspense. Kong’s convincing physical presence makes the fights enjoyable; *Jurassic Park* gives its creatures more time to fascinate and frighten, making it the better choice when spectacle alone is not enough.

**What should I watch after Kong: Skull Island?**

After *Kong: Skull Island*, try [*Jurassic Park*](https://film.one/film/jurassic-park) (1993, Fi1m 91): Another disastrous encounter with giant creatures, handled with more patience and sharper characterisation. Then [*Tremors*](https://film.one/film/tremors) (1990, Fi1m 82): Small-town monster trouble, with resourceful characters and a welcome sense of humour; and [*Godzilla*](https://film.one/film/godzilla) (1954, Fi1m 88): For a giant creature whose destruction carries a more troubling human cost.

### Reviews we read (30)

- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (90/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the film highly entertaining, brisk, and unusually well-balanced for a franchise blockbuster. He especially praises John C. Reilly’s warmly funny, multidimensional performance and the inventive monster-action sequences. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/kong-skull-island-review-982156/)
- **Variety**, Owen Gleiberman (85/100, inferred): Gleiberman finds the film a rousing, smartly crafted creature-feature and a welcome improvement on earlier remakes. He especially praises its imaginative array of island creatures and John C. Reilly’s dry, sly performance. [Read](https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/kong-skull-island-review-1202000823/)
- **Radio Times**, Terry Staunton (4/5): The four-star rating indicates a positive verdict on this adventure. The review highlights Kong and the island’s other creatures as the source of its life-threatening thrills. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-53wieh/kong-skull-island/)
- **The i Paper**, Matthew Turner (★★★★): Turner finds the film a monstrously entertaining and thrilling creature feature. He praises its spectacular creature effects and imaginatively staged monster battles, while noting that the human characters are underdeveloped. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/kong-skull-island-review-51720)
- **The AV Club**, A.A. Dowd (B): Dowd finds the film an entertaining monster mash, though its Vietnam-war parallels are heavy-handed and its tonal shifts can be jarring. He praises the inventive creature action and the striking helicopter encounter with Kong. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/king-kong-goes-to-war-in-the-vietnam-themed-monster-mas-1798190742)
- **Sight and Sound**, Kim Newman (70/100, inferred): Newman finds the film a fast, playful pulp adventure that holds its own without matching the depth of earlier King Kong films. He especially praises Kong’s opening helicopter battle and the imaginative monster designs. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/kong-skull-island-review-roaring-pulp-mash)
- **The New York Times**, A.O. Scott (70/100, inferred): The review finds the monster adventure entertaining, though not especially frightening. It praises the spectacle while finding the human characters less compelling. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/movies/kong-skull-island-review-brie-larson.html)
- **Empire**, Jonathan Pile (65/100, inferred): Pile finds the adventure uneven but entertaining, with its spectacular monsters compensating for weak human characters. He especially praises Kong’s convincing presence and personality. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/kong-skull-island-review/)
- **Screen Daily**, Fionnuala Halligan (64/100, inferred): The available standfirst presents the film as a chest-thumping commercial spectacle, but gives no clear verdict. It singles out the film’s role in the MonsterVerse franchise rather than a specific creative strength or flaw. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/kong-skull-island-review/5115434.article)
- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (3/5): O'Sullivan finds the reboot spectacularly OK, with its strongest moments coming from Kong and the action. She praises John C. Reilly's comic supporting performance while faulting Tom Hiddleston's vacant presence for draining the film's profundity. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/kong-skull-island-review-long-live-king-kong-the-ape-who-never-dies-a3680251.html)
- **The Guardian**, Wendy Ide (3/5): Ide finds the film enjoyable but overblown, with characters that lack nuance. She praises the thrilling first encounter between Kong and the helicopters, while noting Brie Larson seems ill at ease in the effects-driven adventure. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/mar/12/kong-skull-island-review-tom-hiddlestone-unsubtle-adventure)
- **The New Yorker**, Anthony Lane (60/100, inferred): Lane finds the film entertaining and visually inventive, but says it loses momentum in its second half. He especially praises its comic set pieces and striking visual flourishes. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/13/kong-skull-island-and-raw)
- **Time Out**, Joshua Rothkopf (3/5): The review finds the film enjoyably spectacular but overblown and lacking subtlety. It singles out the spectacle as a strength, while noting the film’s excess and lack of restraint. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/kong-skull-island)
- **Total Film**, Jordan Farley (3/5): Farley finds the film derivative and somewhat silly, but consistently entertaining. He praises its energetic direction, kinetic action, and tactile effects. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/kong-skull-island-review/)
- **Little White Lies**, Adam Woodward (3/2/2): The review is sharply negative about the film’s derivative, muddled blockbuster approach. It singles out John C. Reilly as a bright spot amid the missteps. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/kong-skull-island)
- **Film Comment**, Michael Sragow (30/100, inferred): Sragow gives the film a negative verdict. He faults it for stripping Kong of his appealing, simple-minded charm. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/deep-focus-kong-skull-island/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (30/100, inferred): Turan finds the film lively at first but ultimately overfocused on monsters, leaving Kong and the story diminished. He praises Kong’s visual design and the period soundtrack, while criticizing the tedious creature encounters and Brie Larson’s underused role. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-kong-skull-island-review-20170309-story.html)
- **Slant Magazine**, Jake Cole (1/4): The critic finds the film clumsy and uninspired, with monsters that rely on size and gore rather than imagination. John C. Reilly is singled out as the film’s only consistently pleasurable element. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/kong-skull-island/)
- **Vulture**, David Edelstein (25/100, inferred): Edelstein finds the film lavish but stupefyingly predictable, with hack storytelling that squanders its political message. He praises Kong’s convincing sensitivity and the rousing moments in its final battle, but says the monsters rarely stick in the mind. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2017/03/kong-skull-island-movie-review-stupefyingly-predictable.html)
- **/Film**, Ethan Anderton (9 out of 10): The critic calls it a thrilling, refreshing monster adventure that never loses steam. They praise its striking visuals and action, and single out John C. Reilly’s performance for bringing heart and humor. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/549590/kong-skull-island-review/)
- **Consequence**, Dominick Suzanne-Mayer (80/100, inferred): The critic finds it a savagely enjoyable, visually distinctive monster movie with effective political themes. The vivid creature designs and John C. Reilly’s performance as Hank Marlow stand out for praise. [Read](https://consequence.net/2017/03/film-review-kong-skull-island/)
- **Den of Geek**, Ryan Lambie (4/5): Lambie calls it a hugely enjoyable, satisfying monster movie, despite some overly explicit messaging. He praises the exciting, inventive action and Vogt-Roberts’s assured direction. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/kong-skull-island-review-2/)
- **Digital Spy**, Rosie Fletcher (78/100, inferred): Fletcher calls it a thrilling, efficient monster-movie romp, despite flaws in its human characters. She especially praises the creatures, eye-popping action, and John C. Reilly’s standout performance. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a822495/kong-skull-island-review/)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (75/100, inferred): Hammond finds it a fun, energetic monster movie that embraces its B-movie roots. He particularly praises the inventive creatures and state-of-the-art visual effects, while noting that Brie Larson’s role is largely decorative. [Read](https://deadline.com/2017/03/kong-skull-island-review-tom-hiddleston-samuel-l-jackson-1202037789/)
- **NME** (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the film an entertaining source of supersized thrills, despite some silly moments. They praise its refreshing simplicity and period details, while objecting to the dialogue and the limited backstory for most characters. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/kong-skull-island-film-review-2005250)
- **Paste**, Jim Vorel (6.5/10): Vorel finds the film an uneven but entertaining monster-action spectacle, with its over-the-top fights delivering the main appeal. He especially praises John C. Reilly, whose comic timing and pathos make him the standout among the human characters. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/kong-skull-island/kong-skull-island-review)
- **The Wrap** (60/100, inferred): The critic finds the film polished and entertaining, but predictable and quickly forgettable. The effective, expressive CGI Kong and tactile monster action stand out, while the characters and ideas feel underdeveloped. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/kong-skull-island-review-brie-larson-tom-hiddleston-samuel-l-jackson/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Stefan Pape (35/100, inferred): The critic finds the film entertaining in places but ultimately held back by a weak screenplay and underdeveloped characters. John C. Reilly is singled out for bringing humor and pathos to the film. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/kong-skull-island-review/)
- **Eye for Film**, Angus Wolfe Murray (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film unconvincing and uninteresting, with its plot stalling after the characters reach the island. He complains that the oversized creatures and action feel excessive, contrasting them unfavorably with the more compelling world of Avatar. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/kong-skull-island-2017-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray)
- **The Ringer**, K. Austin Collins (30/100, inferred): Collins finds the film a lame, expensive imitation of B-movie magic, with spectacle that cannot make up for weak writing. He praises Vogt-Roberts’s handling of the actors and Kong’s imposing presence in the action scenes. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2017/03/09/movies/kong-skull-island-review-7013fcfa92df)

## Details

- **Director:** Jordan Vogt-Roberts
- **Director:** Jordan Vogt-Roberts
- **Screenplay:** Max Borenstein, Dan Gilroy, Derek Connolly
- **Story:** John Gatins
- **Cinematography:** Larry Fong
- **Editor:** Bob Murawski, Richard Pearson, Christian Wagner
- **Music:** Henry Jackman
- **Production design:** Stefan Dechant
- **Costume design:** Mary E. Vogt
- **Producer:** Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, Mary Parent
- **Cast:** Tom Hiddleston as Captain James Conrad; Samuel L. Jackson as Lieutenant Colonel Preston Packard; John Goodman as Bill Randa; Brie Larson as Mason Weaver; Jing Tian as San Lin; Toby Kebbell as Maj. Jack Chapman / Kong Mo-Cap Services; John Ortiz as Victor Nieves; Corey Hawkins as Houston Brooks
- **Runtime:** 1h 58m
- **First release (the UK):** 28 February 2017
- **Genres:** Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- **Budget:** $185 million
- **Box office:** $567 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBLdPIp-BuY

## Where to watch in South Africa

- Netflix: streaming
- Apple TV: rent R34.99, hd
- Apple TV: buy R99.99, hd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2018: Best Visual Effects (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *Jurassic Park* (1993), Fi1m 91: Another disastrous encounter with giant creatures, handled with more patience and sharper characterisation. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/jurassic-park.md)
- *The Host* (2006): A creature rampage with a family worth worrying about beneath the commotion.
- *Tremors* (1990), Fi1m 82: Small-town monster trouble, with resourceful characters and a welcome sense of humour. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/tremors.md)
- *Godzilla* (1954), Fi1m 88: For a giant creature whose destruction carries a more troubling human cost. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/godzilla.md)
- *Monsters* (2010), Fi1m 63: A quieter journey through creature territory, allowing the human relationship time to develop. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/monsters-vs-aliens.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/kong-skull-island