Godzilla vs Kong Betting Preview, Odds and Predictions

On March 31^st, the highly anticipated showdown of the most popular movie monsters will take place as Godzilla vs Kong arrives in theaters and on HBO Max.

This film is directed by Adam Wingard and is considered a direct sequel to both Kong: Skull Island and Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

It’s also the 4^th film by Legendary Pictures who has taken over the “Monsterverse” containing both Godzilla and King Kong.

The movie was originally set to be released in November 2020, but was delayed due to the pandemic. It will be released in Europe and Taiwan on March 24^th, 2021, which is one week before its American debut.

With all of the buzz surrounding this film, entertainment betting sites have released an interesting prop bet on which monster will win this epic showdown.

Godzilla vs Kong Betting Odds

Who Wins at the End of the Movie?

• Kong (-125)
• Godzilla (-115)

Before we can make our prediction, we must examine everything we know about this upcoming film and also take a look back at the history of King Kong, Godzilla and their previous battles.

What Do We Know About Godzilla vs Kong?

As mentioned, Legendary along with director Adam Wingard are responsible for this monstrous creation. Depending on where you live, the film will be available on March 24^th or March 31^st in theaters and HBO Max. The streaming on HBO will only be for one month.

Warner Brothers partnered with Legendary to bring this battle to life. The studios released the following synopsis of the film:

“Legends collide in “Godzilla vs. Kong” as these mythic adversaries meet in a spectacular battle for the ages, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Kong and his protectors undertake a perilous journey to find his true home, and with them is Jia, a young orphaned girl with whom he has formed a unique and powerful bond. But they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla, cutting a swath of destruction across the globe. The epic clash between the two titans—instigated by unseen forces—is only the beginning of the mystery that lies deep within the core of the Earth.”

This upcoming movie marks the 36^th film for Godzilla and the 12^th film for King Kong. Let’s take a closer look at each monster.

The Godzilla Franchise

Godzilla is the longest running film franchise as it first came out in 1954. The first 32 films were produced by Toho and the last four have been produced by Legendary. This franchise is often broken down into the following four eras:

Showa Era (1954–1975)

The first 15 Godzilla movies were created and produced during the Showa Era which was named for Japan’s “Showa Emperor” Hirohito.

• Godzilla (1954)
• Godzilla Raids Again (1955)
• King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
• Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)
• Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964)
• Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)
• Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966)
• Son of Godzilla (1967)
• Destroy All Monsters (1968)
• All Monsters Attack (1969)
• Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971)
• Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972)
• Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)
• Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
• Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975)

The majority of these films, roughly 10 of them, all portrayed Godzilla in a more comical light and targeted children as their audience. Many of the battles with other monsters was nothing more than silliness.

It was during this era that we were introduced to King Ghidorah who went on to be one of Godzilla’s main enemies. Additionally, we saw a crossover with monsters like Rodan, Mothra and Varan coming into the Godzilla universe.

I made posters for every movie (+Singular Point) incarnation of Godzilla, the King of the Monsters. (1/3) #TeamGodzilla pic.twitter.com/DhD3qjaw3B

— TGMChrist (#TeamGodzilla) (@TGMChrist) March 8, 2021

In addition to those monsters, this era introduced us to many other creatures like Anguirus, Baragon, Gorgosaurus, Kumonga, and Manda.

Although comical and silly for most of these films, this era laid the foundation for future Godzilla twists and turns along with the battle against King Kong.

Heisei Era (1984–1995)

After a near-decade hiatus, Toho brought back the Godzilla franchise with The Return of Godzilla in 1984. This was the start of a second era in the franchise’s history known as the Heisei Era named after the new emperor of Japan.

The following seven films were produced during this era:

• The Return of Godzilla (1984)
• Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)
• Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)
• Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
• Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993)
• Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994)
• Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995)

The first major difference between the Heisei Era and its predecessor the Showa Era is that this era provided a single timeline for all seven films.

Another focus of the Heisei Era was the origin and science behind Godzilla. It touched on the moral debate over genetics and the first origin story of the famous Japanese monster.

Unlike the Showa Era where the movies were more comical, the Heisei Era had more depth, continuity and made the franchise more credible than the slapstick, children oriented films of the 1950s and 1960s.

This shift in focusing on the monster’s creation breathed new life into the franchise and set it up for continued success.

Millennium Era (1999–2004)

In 1999, Toho rebooted the franchise for the second time in its history with the release of Godzilla 2000: Millennium. It marked the third distinct era in the Godzilla franchise’s history. This era would see six films released:

• Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999)
• Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000)
• Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001)
• Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002)
• Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)
• Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)

This era continued the more serious tone of the films with storylines that examined various current event topics throughout the world. It also kept Godzilla as a serious monster without the comedy.

One major difference with the Millennium Era and the Heisei Era is that this new era treated each film as a standalone story and only referenced the original Godzilla film from 1954. It’s as if Toho decided to ignore the entire series up until 1999.

After Godzilla: Final Wars in 2004, Toho celebrated their 50^th anniversary of Godzilla by making the decision to shelf this franchise for another decade and even destroyed their famous monster film set.

Reiwa Era (2016–Present)

The Reiwa Era saw a renewed commitment to Godzilla not only in movies, but with animations as well. It was a largescale commitment to the franchise by Toho and an effort to really capitalize on the global popularity of Godzilla.

This era saw the following films released:

• Shin Godzilla (2016)
• Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017)
• Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle (2018)
• Godzilla: The Planet Eater (2018)

The first film of this era was Shin Godzilla and it did a great job in making Godzilla a scary monster again. The next three films were animations.

It’s unclear how this era will be defined, but the first film was a good start for a renewed attempt to make Godzilla a monster that truly terrifies people around the world.

American Films (1998-Present)

In 1992, TriStar Pictures secured the rights from Toho to release a trilogy of films in America. Their first release was Godzilla in 1998. Unfortunately, it bombed with fans so the production company cancelled the sequels. Instead, they released an animated series in 2003 that was a hit.

However, TriStar allowed their license to expire and Toho resumed full rights.

In 2009, Legendary Pictures obtained the rights to a new Godzilla project and eventually released their first film in 2014 titled Godzilla. It was a hit with the box office and fans across the globe.

This led to Legendary Pictures releasing Godzilla: King of the Monsters in 2019 and Kong: Skull Island in 2017.

My money’s on the monkey. 🦖🦍

(📽️ King Kong, 1933) pic.twitter.com/iYL25WxWz3

— Marshall Julius (@MarshallJulius) March 10, 2021

The King Kong Franchise

The character of King Kong was created by Merian C. Cooper of RKO Radio Pictures in the early 1930s, with the first film being released in 1933. The King Kong franchise has released 11 films which includes the following:

• King Kong (1933)
• Son of Kong (1933)
• King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
• King Kong Escapes (1967)
• King Kong (1976)
• King Kong Lives (1986)
• The Mighty Kong (1998)
• Kong: King of Atlantis (2005)
• King Kong (2005)
• Kong: Return to the Jungle (2006)
• Kong: Skull Island (2017)

The RKO Radio Pictures Era (1933)

RKO Radio Pictures created the character of King Kong and released two films in 1933. Both films were directed and produced by Ernest B. Schoedsack along with Merian C. Cooper who is credited with being the creator of this great ape.

The Toho Era (1962-1967)

This franchise would lay dormant for nearly 30 years before Toho took over. The Japanese production company saw the success of King Kong’s rerelease in the early 1950s and was inspired to create Godzilla a few years later.

They would eventually purchase the King Kong rights and create two films: King Kong vs Godzilla and King Kong Escapes. Both films had modest success, but did open the door for the upcoming clash between the two creatures.

The De Laurentiss Era (1976-1986)

Once again, King Kong would go into hibernation before an Italian film maker Dino De Laurentiss brought the Kong back to life. He would release a remake of the original 1933 film and keep the same name King Kong.

However, that 1976 film was a dud. But, 10 years later, he would release a sequel titled King Kong Lives in 1986 where Kong would meet a female and create a family.

Animated Film Era (1998-2006)

In 1998, Warner Brothers released an animated musical titled The Mighty Kong which was based on the original film. The end of the film saw Kong fall from the Empire State Building, but survive since it was a family oriented movie.

In 2005-2006, BKN International produced two animated films titled Kong: King of Atlantis and Kong: Return to the Jungle. They were designed to be spin-offs from the well-received Kong: The Animated Series.

Universal Studios Era (2005)

Around the same time as the animated films and TV series, Universal Studios released a remake of the original simply titled King Kong. It was produced by Peter Jackson, the director of The Lord of the Rings franchise. It was met with positive reviews, but no sequel was made.

Legendary Pictures Era (2017-Present)

And, finally, we are in the current era which is under the guidance and control of Legendary Pictures. They released a reboot of the King Kong franchise in 2017 titled Kong: Skull Island. It was the second film in their Monsterverse timeline, as it followed the 2014 Godzilla movie.

The film was set in 1973 where scientists and Vietnam War soldiers travel to Skull Island and meet Kong. This film was a hit at the box office and with fans worldwide.

This film, along with Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), is the basis for the upcoming Godzilla vs Kong movie.

Have These Two Monsters Fought Before?

As mentioned above, Toho created the Godzilla franchise in part due to the success of King Kong’s rerelease in 1952. Yet, it was a decade later when Toho had the rights to King Kong and decided to do what fans were clamoring for – a showdown between the two monsters.

In 1962, Toho released King Kong vs Godzilla which was directed by Ishiro Honda. It was the 3^rd film of the Godzilla franchise and the King Kong franchise. Additionally, it was the first of two films that Toho produced featuring King Kong.

After Kong is found, he’s eventually drugged and brought back to take on Godzilla who was freed from an ice berg and began destroying everything in the monster’s path.

The first encounter saw King Kong retreat after taking on Godzilla and suffering burns from the giant lizard’s atomic heat rays. Eventually, King Kong is drugged again and transported to where Godzilla is located and the two have their epic battle near Mt. Fuji.

The Epic Final Battle

The two monsters engage in battle where Godzilla gets the upper hand by almost killing King Kong with his atomic heat rays.

He then knocks out King Kong with a drop kick and vicious tail whips. The unconscious Kong is encircled by fire before a bolt of lightning strikes him and awakens the giant ape.

A charged King Kong resumes his fight with Godzilla and they eventually go over a cliff into the ocean. After an underwater battle takes place, only King Kong returns to the surface and swims back towards land.

Godzilla doesn’t resurface and is declared the loser by fans. Yet, in the film, he’s presumed to still be alive.

Will we see a similar outcome in the new Godzilla vs Kong movie?

Who Wins Between Godzilla and King Kong?

At some point in this film, King Kong and Godzilla will come face to face and a modern day monster battle will ensue.

I’d like to point to the synopsis and the part where their epic clash is instigated by “unseen forces.”

This is a way to have both remain beloved figures in the end because there’s another powerful force at play that has put Godzilla on his path of destruction.

Eventually, King Kong will have to try and stop Godzilla and the rematch between the two, which is nearly 60 years in the making, will ensue.

Two kings, one crown. #GodzillaVsKong in theaters and streaming exclusively on @HBOMax* March 31.

*Available on @HBOMax in the US only, for 31 days, at no extra cost to subscribers. pic.twitter.com/3JYnpPQFfl

— Godzilla vs. Kong (@GodzillaVsKong) March 8, 2021

That brings us to our prop bet that asks which character will be left standing tall at the end of the movie.

Will this new release pull something similar to the 1962 film where only King Kong resurfaces or will they have a different ending?

I believe that this film will most likely be a catalyst for a sequel between the two monsters. Additionally, since Legendary Pictures is invested in the franchises of both popular creatures, I don’t see how either one of these monsters can suffer a resounding defeat.

Instead, I see there being a “cliff hanger” or the two battle to a “draw” so that we don’t have a clear cut winner. Unfortunately, that option is not available for this prop bet.

Since we have to pick one, I say go with Godzilla to even the head to head rivalry as he stands tall at the end of this film.

But, I fully expect the “loser” to come back strong in a sequel if they don’t go with the “draw” in the first place. Kind of like how we all thought Thanos had beat the Avengers and appeared to be the winner at the end of Avengers: Infinity War only to end up losing at the end of Avengers: End Game.