The Monsterverse’s biggest entry to date was a massive success in theaters, and now Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is streaming at last. Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. released the sixth installment in the Godzilla and Kong shared universe in March 2024. Building off the success of Godzilla vs. Kong, the chance for Godzilla and Kong to team up as they take on Skar King gave the sequel plenty of excitement. That is why expectations were high for how well Godzilla x Kong would perform in theaters.

Directed by Adam Wingard, Godzilla x Kong put the giant ape in the lead role, with Godzilla playing a smaller role in the main narrative. Even with the human cast members still playing notable roles, most of the film revolves around Kong and Godzilla and the brewing war in Hollow Earth as Skar King prepares to attack the surface world again. There were plenty of large-scale action sequences for audiences to enjoy in theaters. Godzilla x Kong‘s box office confirms how many people did so, but those who missed or want to rewatch it can rejoice in its streaming release.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Is Now Streaming On Max

It Released On Max On July 4, 2024

Warner Bros. and Legendary have now made Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire available on streaming for the first time. The movie started streaming on Max on July 4, 2024, which is nearly two months after it first became available on digital and over three months after it premiered in theaters. This was longer than the projection for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire‘s streaming release date. The studios elected to wait 97 days between the film’s theatrical and streaming releases, which is almost 20 days longer than the average for a major WB movie.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire revolves around the expansion of Hollow Earth and the belief that a new threat is about to emerge while Monarch works to keep Kong and Godzilla separated. Kong discovers more apes, including Suko, in Hollow Earth under Skar King’s rule, while Godzilla searches the Earth for a way to increase his power. While the two monsters fight upon meeting again at first, they do put their differences aside to fight Skar King and Shimo together. Godzilla x Kong‘s ending focuses on the final battle of the Titans as humanity is put in danger.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’s Theatrical Success Explained

The Movie Made $570 Million At The Box Office

The arrival of Godzilla x Kong on streaming comes after the film was a massive success in theaters. Expectations were modestly high after Godzilla vs. Kong made $470 million during the COVID-19 pandemic. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire immediately emerged as one of the biggest box office performers of the year after it exceeded expectations for its opening weekend. The movie crushed projections by making $80 million domestically over its first three days, which is a record high for the Monsterverse franchise.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire broke records until its theatrical run was over. This included becoming the highest-grossing Monsterverse movie once it made $570 million, edging out Kong: Skull Island‘s $568 million total from 2017. It became the second highest-grossing movie of 2024 for some time, and it currently sits as the third highest behind Inside Out 2 and Dune: Part Two. The film’s financial performance allowed Warner Bros. and Legendary to begin development on another entry in the Monsterverse.

Godzilla x Kong’s Rotten Tomatoes Scores Explained

Critics & Audiences Were Split

The success Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire experienced at the box office and in theaters came as critics and audiences were split on the movie on Rotten Tomatoes. The common source of enjoyment in the movie from either side was the Titan battles and gigantic action sequences that are included. Meanwhile, common criticisms include lacking human characters. The end result is Godzilla x Kong‘s Rotten Tomatoes scores settling at 53% “Rotten” from critics and 91% “Fresh” from audiences.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire tied the Monsterverse franchise record on Rotten Tomatoes thanks to its audience score. The 91% rating is tied with Godzilla vs. Kong for the highest in the series. The 53% rating from critics is not a franchise high or low, but it is close. That is the second-lowest mark any Monsterverse movie has received on the Tomatometer. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire might not have rave reviews from critics, but general audiences wanting a CGI-heavy action spectacle get just that with this entry, even on streaming.