Kong: Skull Island’s Success Proves the Public’s Enduring Love for the Simian

This month turned out to be a fruitful one for the film industry as Logan and Kong: Skull Island have attracted millions of movie-goers, breaking box offices, and writing cinematic history. While most critics expected Logan to attract the majority of fans, it seems the reinterpretation of King Kong’s story is holding strong on the number 1 spot, proving once more that the simian will always hold a special place in the heart of audiences worldwide.

King Kong’s Progress Throughout Cinematic History

King Kong’s tale began in 1933 with the eponymous movie. Directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack and Merian C. Cooper, the movie stared Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, and Bruce Cabot.

The tale of the prehistoric giant ape who kidnaps a young woman only to give its life to save her, in the end, has earned the title of the fifth best horror movie of all time and twenty-ninth greatest film of all time. The Library of Congress mentioned its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance and preserved it in the National Film Registry.

Kong had such an impact on the audience that many moviemakers throughout history have tried to reinterpret his origin story, but none succeeded in coming close to the magic of the 1933 original installment.

After confronting Godzilla, being turned into a robot by a mad scientist, and searching for Lady Kong in a gut-wrenching musical, Peter Jackson managed to reinstate some of Kong’s former glory.

The 2005 adaptation by the Lord of the Rings director was meant as a tear-jerking tribute to the simian’s history. Even though the story didn’t feature any original plots, the movie was loved by fans and critics alike, earning over $500 million at the box office, alone.

Kong Skull: Island Will Introduce a Different Side of the Anti-Hero

Now, the 2017 adaptation sees a different Kong, the action taking place on his island, the ape’s kingdom being shown in all its glory. Moreover, the simian is being shown in another light, his heroism being highlighted, fans having the opportunity to explore the King, not the ape on top of the Empire State Building.

In just a week, Skull Island managed to make $61 million from ticket sales in the domestic market, alone. Some cavilers are attributing the success to the cast, while critics are praising the movie’s original take.