Kong: Skull Island

Kong: Skull Island

Year: 2017

Runtime: 118 min

Language: English

Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts

ActionAdventureSci-FiFantasy

A team of scientists, soldiers, and adventurers journey to a remote Pacific island, shrouded in mystery and isolated from the modern world. Their expedition for discovery awakens the wrath of Kong, the island's massive protector. Facing a powerful and primal force, the team must fight for survival against Kong and the island's other dangerous inhabitants, challenging the notion of human dominance in this untamed wilderness.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Kong: Skull Island (2017) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Kong: Skull Island (2017), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In 1944, during the World War II chaos, two fighter pilots find themselves plummeting to a mysterious island in the South Pacific following an intense dogfight. An American soldier, Hank Marlow, faces off against Japanese soldier Gunpei Ikari, only to have their battle interrupted by the immense presence of Kong, a colossal ape.

Fast forward to 1973, where U.S. government agent Bill Randa recruits the experienced James Conrad, a former British Special Air Service Captain with a military background, to lead an expedition to the enigmatic Skull Island. Accompanying them is the highly skilled Vietnam War helicopter squadron called the Sky Devils, led by Lieutenant Colonel Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson). They are flanked by notable squad members, including Major Jack Chapman (Toby Kebbell) and Captain Earl Cole.

Joining the mission is Mason Weaver (Brie Larson), a photojournalist motivated by her pacifist principles, who suspects ulterior motives behind the expedition. Upon their arrival at Skull Island, chaos erupts as Packard’s men begin deploying explosives, conceived by seismologist Houston Brooks, to map out the terrain. Soon, they encounter the formidable Kong, who violently defends his territory, resulting in significant casualties among the military team.

Packard rallies some of the survivors, including pilot Glenn Mills and Randa, who later discloses his membership in the Monarch organization dedicated to proving the existence of monstrous beings and evaluating their threat to humankind. Meanwhile, the remaining survivors, including Conrad, Weaver, and Brooks, endeavor to reach a rendezvous point for a resupply team set to arrive in mere days. On their journey, they cross paths with the local Iwi tribe and an elderly Marlow, who shares the profound truth that Kong is the guardian of the island, revered by the locals for safeguarding them against terrifying predators, known as Skullcrawlers.

As tragedy strikes—Chapman succumbing to a Skullcrawler attack—the group bands together to create a makeshift boat from the wreckage surrounding them, setting off on a perilous river journey. However, their vessel is soon besieged by Pterosaur-like creatures, leading to more losses. As their adventure unfolds, Packard’s motivations shift towards seeking vengeance against Kong, blaming him for their casualties.

In preserving their strength, Marlow leads these groups toward a grim site, a mass grave of Kong’s ancestors, where they are ambushed by a lurking Skullcrawler. In a harrowing chain of events, Randa is slain, triggering Packard’s relentless drive to confront and eliminate Kong.

In a fierce clash, Conrad and Weaver witness Kong’s true nature and realize he is not the enemy but a necessary protector. As explosive traps orchestrated by Packard further ensnare Kong, a greater danger emerges—a giant Skullcrawler. In this chaotic confrontation, Kong musters his strength to save the survivors and ultimately triumphs over the malevolent beast. He even ensures Weaver’s safety, despite her falling into the water amidst the turmoil.

As the credits roll, the scene shifts back to Marlow, who cherishes a much-awaited reunion with his wife and sees his son for the first time while enjoying a Chicago Cubs game on TV. In a thrilling post-credits revelation, Conrad and Weaver are now in the hands of Monarch, as their world expands with the shocking knowledge that Kong is just one of many titans, as archives unveil drawings of legendary creatures like Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, and King Ghidorah.

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 16:32

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Kong: Skull Island?

Still wondering what the ending of Kong: Skull Island (2017) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

The ending of “Kong: Skull Island” and its related series reveals a complex web of secrets about Hollow Earth and humanity’s interactions with the monsters and the mysterious realm beneath the Earth’s surface. Throughout the story, it becomes clear that Skull Island is just one part of a larger, hidden world—Hollow Earth—where ancient Titans like Kong once thrived and continue to exist in seclusion. The series “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” uncovers that Bill Randa, the scientist who first explored Skull Island, recorded crucial evidence before his death in 1973, which was later passed to his son Hiroshi. This footage sparks Hiroshi’s investigation into Hollow Earth portals, which leads him and others to uncover more about the existence of these secret gateways hidden in remote locations around the globe. Their efforts reveal that Apex Cybernetics, a powerful corporation, has taken a keen interest in Skull Island and its creatures, especially in their experiments with Skullcrawlers and Kong, and in using the island as a base for their own ambitions, including the development of weapons like Mechagodzilla.

As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that Apex’s greed for power and resources is dangerous, especially since they aim to harness Hollow Earth’s energy and open pathways between worlds. Hiroshi, driven by concern for his daughter Cate, who falls into a portal and is presumed dead, aligns with efforts to stop Apex from exploiting these portals and resources. The series’ climax suggests that Skull Island is no longer just a mysterious island but a strategic hub for Hollow Earth exploration and human experimentation. The season ends with Apex having established a presence on Skull Island, building containment and control infrastructure, and experimenting with its creatures. This sets the stage for future conflicts, where humans could intrude further into the Hollow Earth and threaten the delicate balance of the monsters and their habitat. The narrative hints that many characters, especially Shaw, have been right all along—protecting the boundary between worlds might be the best way to prevent disaster. The story leaves open the possibility of Hiroshi and Keiko fighting to prevent exploitation or perhaps finding ways to develop safe travel between the realms, but the risk of destructive human greed remains a looming threat. Ultimately, the ending warns us that if humans continue to pursue these otherworldly secrets recklessly, they could bring about chaos and destruction to both the monsters’ world and our own. The story points toward a future where heroes may return to fight for the preservation of Hollow Earth and the balance between worlds, echoing the ongoing battle between nature and human hubris.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:58

Unlock the Full Story of Kong: Skull Island

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Kong: Skull Island Timeline

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Kong: Skull Island Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Kong: Skull Island

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Kong: Skull Island. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Kong: Skull Island

Kong: Skull Island Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Kong: Skull Island? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Kong: Skull Island Ending Explained

More About Kong: Skull Island

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