From the moment he burst onto the silver screen in 1933, King Kong has remained one of the most iconic figures in cinema. The unforgettable scene of Kong scaling the Empire State Building has become synonymous with the Golden Age of Hollywood, carrying the character through every era of film, including modern movie theaters.

Since his debut, Kong has starred in 7 follow-up movies of various quality, with another scheduled for release in 2024, further solidifying the legend of the colossal ape. Throughout his history, King Kong has been depicted with fluctuating degrees of strength, but one reliable method of determining the mightiest iteration of Kong is by tallying and analyzing his kill count in each film.

8 King Kong Escapes (1967)

Kill Count: 7

• People Killed: 4
• Dinosaurs/Monsters Killed: 2
• Robots/Mechs Killed: 1

In this second Toho Company film of the Godzilla series, King Kong Escapes showcases a showdown between Kong and the scientifically-engineered Mechani-Kong.

Masterminded by Dr. Who, Mechani-Kong's purpose is to extract valuable Element X at the North Pole. Subsequently, Dr. Who kidnaps Kong, hypnotizes him, and transports him to the North Pole to aid in the same objective. Kong's affection for Lt. Susan Watson thwarts Dr. Who's plans, ultimately leading to a showdown at Tokyo Tower, where Kong prevails over his mechanical rival and eliminates Dr. Who and his henchmen, before returning home. While Mechani-Kong is formidable, this version of King Kong is comparatively less aggressive than his other incarnations.

7 King Kong Lives (1986)

Kill Count: 27

• People Killed: 27

King Kong Lives, the sequel to the 1976 remake, was the final portrayal of King Kong by a human in an ape suit, as all subsequent depictions utilized 100% CGI.

Presumed deceased after climbing the Empire State Building in the previous film, King Kong is revealed to have been revived and in a coma for 10 years. Revival necessitates a blood transfusion, prompting an expedition to capture 'Lady Kong' for her blood, used to revive King Kong, along with an artificial heart transplant. Subsequently, King Kong and Lady Kong escape. Upon recapturing Lady Kong, it is discovered she is pregnant with Kong's offspring. As his artificial heart fails, Kong saves his mate, embarking on a rampage and decimating most of the military squadrons attempting to subdue him. Despite his rampage, this version of Kong pales in comparison to other iterations.

6 King Kong Vs. Godzilla (1962)

Kill Count: 44

• People Killed: 43
• Dinosaurs/Monsters Killed: 1

King Kong vs. Godzilla's substantial kill count is predominantly due to Godzilla's concentrated role, with King Kong serving as a secondary character, primarily a deterrent to the original kaiju.

Kong's vulnerability to Farolacton juice leads to several setbacks. After confronting a giant octopus searching for the juice, Kong consumes the substance, inducing slumber. Subsequently, after being captured and breaking free, Kong rampages in Japan, only to be subdued by Godzilla's heat blast. Eventually, Kong and Godzilla confront each other, with Kong inflicting significant damage, including derailing a train. Although Kong is presumed to have killed Godzilla, subsequent Godzilla films refute this claim.

5 King Kong (1976)

Kill Count: 35

• People Killed: 34
• Dinosaurs/Monsters Killed: 1

In the 1976 King Kong, the first American Kong film in over four decades, Kong's kill count may be lower than in King Kong vs. Godzilla, but his method of killing distinguishes this portrayal of the formidable ape.

This retelling mirrors the 1933 classic, enriched with contemporary anti-oil themes. The narrative follows an expedition to an uncharted island in the Indian Ocean, home to a tribe venerating a God named Kong. Following Kong's capture, subsequent escape, and eventual demise, Kong's devastation is notably more visceral in this reimagining, encompassing fatalities from various aggressive acts, portraying a more aggressive nature.

4 King Kong (1933)

Kill Count: 53

• People Killed: 50
• Dinosaurs/Monsters Killed: 3

For a 1930s film, the original King Kong depicts the giant ape in a startlingly aggressive manner. The notable kill count reflects the original Kong's formidable and fierce demeanor.

The well-known story has been summarized, distinct for its brutal depiction of Kong's actions. The original Kong's ferocity is evident from the outset, with numerous indigenous tribe members and three dinosaurs among the early casualties. The devastation continues in New York, culminating in numerous civilian deaths, accentuated by the iconic showdown at the Empire State Building, where Kong confronts fighter planes before succumbing to their attack.

3 Kong: Skull Island (2017)

Kill Count: 50

• People Killed: 46
• Dinosaurs/Monsters Killed: 4

Functioning as a loose retelling of the original film and an introduction to the Monsterverse, Kong: Skull Island introduces one of the most robust depictions of Kong to date.

Set in 1973, an American military expedition to Skull Island encounters Kong, the last surviving member of his species, who lost his family to the formidable Skullcrawlers. Initially hostile to the soldiers, Kong defeats 44 of them before they retreat. The emergence of the Skull Devil further demonstrates Kong's power, as he collaborates with the remaining soldiers to defeat the formidable creature, solidifying his strength above previous depictions.

2 Godzilla Vs. Kong (2021)

Kill Count: 41

• People Killed: 12
• Dinosaurs/Monsters Killed: 28
• Robots/Mechs Killed: 1

Despite accumulating a lower kill count than some predecessors, this version of Kong solidifies his standing as one of the mightiest. His collaboration with Godzilla in combat against MechaGodzilla is a defining moment in his portrayal as one of the strongest versions of Kong.

After being initially vanquished, Kong is revived and, alongside Godzilla, confronts and decapitates MechaGodzilla, effectively saving Tokyo and, presumably, the world, marking a substantial triumph. Additionally, Kong's utilization of a specialized weapon, able to absorb Godzilla's energy, further reinforces his status as a formidable force.

1 King Kong (2005)

Kill Count: 52

• People Killed: 36
• Dinosaurs/Monsters Killed: 16

Peter Jackson's 2005 remake has emerged as the quintessential depiction of King Kong for contemporary audiences, presenting the most colossal and potent iteration of the character ever depicted on film.

Characterized by a perilous Skull Island and an array of perilous creatures, Kong's portrayal in this film is profoundly destructive. His confrontation with an array of adversaries, including multiple dinosaurs and humans, underscores his unparalleled ferocity. Furthermore, this version of Kong, with Andy Serkis' motion capture performance, presents a more humanized and emphatic portrayal, amplifying his potency and emotional depth.