Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

Last updated:
January 18, 2026

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire continues the MonsterVerse saga by expanding both mythology and spectacle. This time, the film doesn’t just ask who is stronger. It asks what happens when ancient titans, hidden civilizations, and long-buried rivalries rise together.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The World After Godzilla vs. Kong

After the events of Godzilla vs. Kong (2021), the world has learned to coexist with Titans. Godzilla maintains balance on the surface, while Kong rules the Hollow Earth, now monitored by Monarch.

Despite peace on the surface, strange seismic signals begin appearing across the globe. These signals seem intelligent rather than natural, hinting that something powerful is awakening deep beneath the planet.

Kong’s Loneliness and the Hollow Earth Mystery

Kong is shown living alone in Hollow Earth. Though he now has territory and freedom, his isolation becomes a major emotional theme. He discovers massive ruins and evidence of an advanced ancient Titan civilization.

These ruins suggest that Kong’s species was not wiped out completely. Instead, they may have been enslaved.

This discovery ties directly to mysterious energy pulses detected by Monarch scientists.

Godzilla Senses a New Threat

Godzilla begins aggressively attacking nuclear facilities and Titan energy sources, not out of rage, but preparation. He is absorbing radiation and evolving again, transforming into a more powerful pink-charged form.

His behavior signals that a threat greater than King Ghidorah is approaching.

Introduction of the Hidden Empire

Deep within the deepest layer of Hollow Earth exists a sealed realm known as the Subterranean Kingdom. This hidden empire is ruled by Skar King, an ancient ape Titan who once attempted to conquer the surface world.

Skar King commands an army of enslaved Titans and controls Shimo, an enormous ice-based Titan capable of triggering global ice ages.

Long ago, Godzilla and the surface Titans imprisoned Skar King’s civilization underground. Now, the barrier is weakening.

Humans and the Iwi Connection

The Iwi tribe returns with a young girl named Jia, who forms a psychic bond with the Hollow Earth ecosystem. Through her, Monarch learns that the balance between worlds is collapsing.

The ancient war between Titans is not over. It was only paused.

The Alliance Reforged

Kong is brutally defeated by Skar King and barely escapes. Realizing he cannot win alone, he travels to the surface, drawing Godzilla’s attention.

After an intense confrontation, the two alpha Titans recognize the true enemy. For the first time, their alliance is not forced but chosen.

Together, they descend into the hidden realm to stop Skar King before his army reaches the surface.

Movie Ending

The final act unfolds in a massive three-way war deep beneath the Earth.

Skar King launches a full-scale invasion, using enslaved Titans and commanding Shimo to unleash catastrophic freezing storms that begin spreading toward the surface. Entire regions of the planet start experiencing instant climate collapse.

Kong confronts Skar King directly but is initially overwhelmed. Skar King uses a weapon forged from ancient Titan bone that can control other creatures, symbolizing how he ruled through domination rather than strength.

Godzilla battles Shimo in one of the film’s most visually striking sequences. Their clash causes continental-scale earthquakes and collapsing Hollow Earth structures.

The turning point occurs when Kong breaks Skar King’s control device. Freed from enslavement, Shimo turns against her former master.

Skar King is ultimately defeated when Kong, with Godzilla’s support, delivers the final blow. The tyrant is killed, ending the ancient empire for good.

Shimo retreats peacefully into the depths, no longer hostile.

In the aftermath:

Godzilla returns to the surface, resuming his role as planetary guardian.
Kong chooses to remain in Hollow Earth, but not alone. He now leads surviving members of his species, becoming not just a king, but a protector of a reborn civilization.
Humans recognize Hollow Earth as a permanent parallel world rather than a hidden anomaly.

The film ends on a powerful note: the age of solitary monsters is over. The era of Titan kingdoms has begun.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes, there is one post-credits scene.

It shows Monarch scientists observing new energy readings emerging from unexplored regions even deeper than Hollow Earth. A brief silhouette suggests another ancient Titan awakening, clearly teasing future MonsterVerse installments.

No dialogue is spoken. The implication is clear: the threat cycle is not finished.

Type of Movie

The film is a large-scale science fiction monster epic blending action, mythology, and fantasy elements. It leans more into mythic world-building than realism, embracing its identity as a modern kaiju saga.

Cast

Rebecca Hall as Dr. Ilene Andrews
Brian Tyree Henry as Bernie Hayes
Dan Stevens as Trapper
Kaylee Hottle as Jia
Fala Chen as Iwi Queen

Film Music and Composer

The score is composed by Tom Holkenborg (Junkie XL).

His music blends deep percussion, tribal rhythms, and heavy electronic tones. The soundtrack emphasizes ancient power rather than heroism, reinforcing the film’s mythological tone.

Filming Locations

Queensland, Australia
Gold Coast Studios
Extensive CGI environments for Hollow Earth

Australia’s landscapes provided jungle terrain, coastal environments, and large-scale production space. Almost all Hollow Earth sequences were digitally created, allowing the filmmakers to design entirely new ecosystems without real-world limitations.

Awards and Nominations

While not a major awards contender, the film received:

Visual Effects Society Award nominations
Saturn Award nomination for Best Science Fiction Film
Multiple technical nominations for sound design and CGI

Behind the Scenes Insights

Over 1,500 visual effects shots were used.
Kong’s facial animation was redesigned to allow more emotional expression.
Godzilla’s new form was inspired by deep-sea bioluminescent creatures.
The director wanted the film to feel closer to myth than science.
Many Hollow Earth creatures were designed before the script was finalized.

Inspirations and References

Classic Toho Godzilla films from the 1960s and 70s
Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Pellucidar novels
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Ancient mythology about underworld civilizations
Planetary hollow-earth conspiracy theories

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

An early ending had Godzilla permanently remaining in Hollow Earth.
A deleted scene showed Mothra’s egg, later removed to avoid overcrowding the story.
One version included a longer Titan battle on the surface that was cut for pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film is not directly adapted from a novel but draws heavily from Toho’s expanded Godzilla lore. Unlike classic films, this version emphasizes shared Titan history rather than standalone monster threats.