← Back to 2007 Anniversary List
AFI (2007) • AFI-041

King Kong

1933 • Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack
King Kong poster
AVAILABLE EDITIONS
Physical
Digital
You May Also Like
No related films listed.
No editions listed.
ABOUT THIS FILM
RUNTIME
—
FAMOUS QUOTE
“Oh, no, it wasn't the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast.”

This groundbreaking adventure film follows a daring expedition to the mysterious Skull Island, where filmmaker Carl Denham discovers a gigantic ape worshipped by the island’s inhabitants. After capturing the creature and bringing it to New York as a spectacle, the plan spirals into chaos when Kong escapes and rampages through the city. Willis O’Brien’s pioneering stop-motion animation brought the giant ape convincingly to life, setting new standards for special effects. Beneath the spectacle lies a poignant story about beauty, exploitation, and misunderstood power. The climactic scene atop the Empire State Building became one of cinema’s most iconic images.

Why it matters

  • It endures because its core tensions (new york city; ship; exotic island) still feel modern, and the emotional turns land hard.
  • It’s a masterclass in Adventure, Fantasy storytelling—efficient scene work, memorable set-pieces, and choices that keep the tone confident.
  • As a time-capsule and an influence engine, it’s a key snapshot of 1933—and you can feel its DNA in countless films that followed.

Watch for

  • Recurring motifs and touchpoints (new york city, ship, exotic island, island, unsociability, screenplay)—notice how they show up, evolve, or get subverted scene-to-scene.
  • How information is revealed (or withheld): pay attention to what you learn first, and what you only understand in hindsight.
  • Performance details in close-ups—pauses, glances, and timing often do more than the lines.
  • Transitions and visual rhymes: watch how the film connects scenes through matching images, sound bridges, or repeated blocking.

Vibe

Monster AdventurePre-Code SpectacleJungle PerilBeauty and the BeastSkull IslandStop-Motion WonderUrban CatastrophePrimal TragedyEmpire State IconCreature Pathos
AFI RANK
1998: #43
2007: #41
▲Moved up 2 spots