When it comes to massive monster-bashing blockbuster action, look no further than Warner Bros’ MonsterVerse. Ever since Gareth Edwards kicked off a whole new era of epic kaiju movies with 2014’s Godzilla – channelling a fresh take on the legendary Japanese city-smasher – the biggest beasts in cinema have faced off on the big screen in the likes of Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla: King Of The Monsters, and Godzilla Vs. Kong. And now, a whole new royal rumble is about to unfold – Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire crashes into cinemas on Friday 29 March, seeing the nuclear lizard and the mountain-sized monkey team up to take down a fresh batch of behemoths.
Get caught up on the MonsterVerse so far with our guide to the monsters themselves.
Godzilla
Introduced in: Godzilla (2014)
The original Titan remains King Of The Monsters – an epic protector of Earth, armed with a short temper, an almighty chainsaw-revving roar, and the ability to shoot giant radioactive heat ray beams from his mouth. Over time, he’s established himself as an ally of humanity – just, be aware that whenever he emerges from the sea to do battle with the baddest beasts around, he tends to crush a fair few buildings in the process. You would too, if you were that gigantic.
MUTOs
Introduced in: Godzilla (2014)
The creatures that drew Godzilla out of hiding are oversized insectoids – technically unnamed, but coming under the categorisation of ‘Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism’ (aka, MUTO). This lot grew in pods while feeding off nuclear power reactors, and once they’ve emerged from their chrysalises, can chomp down warheads like they’re nothing. They’re no match for Godzilla’s heat ray, though.
Kong
Introduced in: Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Skull Island’s finest doesn’t monkey around. Since he grew up surrounded by all kinds massive monsters, nothing phases him – he could eat the others for breakfast (which he literally does at one point, chewing down a supersized cephalopod for a light snack). His presence on the surface of Earth doesn’t go down well with Godzilla leading to an almighty ruckus; instead, he now spends his days in his ancestral home in the newly-discovered Hollow Earth realm, which exists right under our feet.
Skullcrawlers
Introduced in: Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Kong’s #1 foe on Skull Island. Imagine a snake with legs and giant snapping jaws, and you’re halfway there. Vicious, cunning, and able to strike at a moment’s notice, they’ve long feasted on Kong’s kind – and so whenever he faces them in battle (sometimes armed with heavy metal chains and a ship propellor) it’s personal. Their forked prehensile tongues help them devour prey easily – but their leader, Skull Devil, learns the hard way not to try and bite Kong’s arm off.
Ghidorah
Introduced in: Godzilla: King Of The Monsters (2019)
Three heads are better than one. Especially when they can communicate telepathically with each other, plotting Godzilla’s demise. With his ultra-bad attitude, sheer physical dominance, and ability to fly (did we mention that?), Ghidorah is one of the most terrible Titans out there – intent on ruling Earth, dishing out huge amounts of damage with those three sets of snapping jaws, and awakening several other beasts in his mission to kill Godzilla.
Mothra
Introduced in: Godzilla: King Of The Monsters (2019)
Beautiful and generally benevolent, the mysterious Mothra still isn’t to be messed with – she shoots silky strands at unsuspecting enemies, has mandibles made for mashing up morsels, and quite literally packs a deadly sting in her tail. Originally hatching in a larval state, she levels up into her glowing, gold-winged final form and provides much-needed back-up for Godzilla in taking down the other Titans.
Rodan
Introduced in: Godzilla: King Of The Monsters (2019)
Emerging from the lava-spewing innards of an erupting volcano, the pterodactyl-like Rodan is a menace with heavy-metal flair. He exudes vast amounts of heat, creates a cyclone of destruction in his wake with his gigantic wingspan, and can crush nigh-on anything with his razor-sharp beak and talons – not to mention his armoured exterior is near-impenetrable. He sides with Ghidorah, putting him firmly in Godzilla and Mothra’s bad books. Fight!
Mechagodzilla
Introduced in: Godzilla Vs. Kong (2021)
How’s this for a man-made disaster – Apex Cybernetics’ attempt to create their own Titan machine results in the marauding Mechagodzilla, a 600,000-ton, 400 foot-tall mass of menacing metal. Designed to ape Godzilla’s look and abilities, Mechagodzilla dishes out red energy beams, boasts rotating buzzsaw claws, and can propel itself on jet boosters. While intended to be safely piloted by a human driver (via a psychic connection powered by one of Ghidorah’s severed heads), it soon takes on a life of its own and causes chaos in Hong Kong. Ding ding!
Warbats
Introduced in: Godzilla Vs. Kong (2021)
In the monster-packed Hollow Earth, Kong has fresh enemies to battle – including these winged serpents, who soar through the sky ready to eat anything that moves with their jagged-toothed jaws. Their long tails might be ideal for gliding through the air and constricting prey – but they’re also an easy target for Kong to grab onto. Which he does, swinging and smashing them down into the ground and splashing gooey green blood everywhere in the process. Nice.
Doug
Introduced in: Godzilla Vs. Kong (2021)
In mere seconds of screentime, this Hollow Earth-dwelling toad-like lizard became an instant fan-favourite. He stomps on screen, swallows a crab-monster, and smiles at the camera – and in those few moments, the legend of Titanus Doug was born. His name was bestowed on him by MonsterVerse fans who loved his brief appearance, and the nickname soon became canon. Word has it that Doug will be back (possibly to eat more super-sized crabs) in Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire.
Catch up on the MonsterVerse movie collection now