The Monsterverse is coming to a theme park near you, but only if you’re in South Korea. Legendary has announced the debut of “Kong x Godzilla: The Ride” at Lotte World Adventure, featuring the endless battles of Godzilla, King Kong, and the other “Titans” from their blockbuster franchise. The ride promises to put tourists on “Hollow Earth Aerial Vehicles (“HEAVs”), the advanced exploration craft used by Monarch, the secret human organization at the heart of Legendary’s Monsterverse.” Because what’s a theme park ride without a healthy dose of franchise lore?
As visitors to the ride, you’ll assume the role of new Monarch recruits who must pitch in after a “volcanic event” sets the Titans loose. Because, of course, everything has to go haywire the moment you join a top-secret organization. It’s not like they have a good track record of keeping their monsters contained. The ride specs boast of “massive media screens, towering animatronics, dynamic ride motion, and immersive special effects” that will deliver a “thrilling, cinematic experience unlike any other.” Or, you know, just like every other theme park ride based on a movie franchise.
The Ride Experience
The attraction features two interconnected eight-passenger ride vehicles that transport guests on an approximately 11-minute adventure through Hollow Earth. Along the way, you’ll “follow Kong into the heart of the danger, help restore balance, and discover how Godzilla factors into a conflict that could threaten the surface world.” Because, why not? It’s not like the surface world has anything better to worry about. The ride’s story is classic: you’re just a regular Joe who joins a secret organization, and suddenly you’re thrust into a battle to save the world from giant monsters. Yawn.
The title of the ride, “Kong x Godzilla: The Ride,” is also noteworthy. According to Legendary, Kong is placed first in the title because he “serves as the recruits’ guide through Hollow Earth and remains central to the attraction’s story.” Or maybe Kong just has a better agent than Godzilla. After all, someone has to keep the Merchandising Department happy. The ride opens on Friday, July 24 at Lotte World Adventure in South Korea, because if you want to experience the thrill of being a Monarch recruit, you’ll have to travel across the Pacific.
The Future of the Monsterverse
Meanwhile, the next Monsterverse movie, “Godzilla x Kong: Supernova,” is set to open in theaters on March 26, 2027. Because the franchise isn’t dead yet, and the Content Mines remain fully operational. Somewhere, a Focus Group earned another bonus for coming up with the title. And executives reportedly nodded very seriously during an expensive meeting, declaring that history is about to be “made” once again. The cycle of franchise resurrection continues, as another beloved franchise has successfully avoided the sweet release of death. The Franchise Resurrection Department is one of Hollywood’s busiest offices, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
As we look to the future of the Monsterverse, it’s hard not to feel a sense of exhaustion. Another ride, another movie, another chance for the Merchandising Department to print money. But hey, at least the fans will be happy, right? Or will they just be nostalgic for the good old days when monster movies were actually original? Either way, the algorithm has spoken, and the people have been given what they supposedly want. And so, the never-ending cycle of franchise filmmaking continues, fueled by the insatiable hunger of the Content Mines. Joy.
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
