Apple TV’s 2-Part Sci-Fi Show Made A Near-Perfect Franchise Even Better

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Apple TV+ has produced some excellent science fiction shows, and one recent series truly stood out. What made it special wasn’t just that it was good on its own, but that it elevated an already fantastic sci-fi world. Apple TV+’s strongest sci-fi offerings generally fall into two categories: completely original stories, like Severance and For All Mankind, or adaptations of well-loved science fiction novels, such as Silo, Murderbot, and the upcoming Neuromancer series.

Apple TV has one science fiction show that connects to a well-known movie series: the Monsterverse. Legendary’s Monsterverse, featuring films like the 2014 Godzilla and Godzilla vs. Kong, has already proven to be a successful franchise. In many ways, it’s nearly flawless – the films are both critically acclaimed and financially successful, with very few weaknesses.

The Monsterverse grew to include television with the series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. The show tells the story of the Monarch organization, shown in the films, through two different time periods: 1952 and 2015. Beyond simply bringing the Monsterverse to TV, Monarch enriched the entire universe with a wealth of backstory and compelling new characters.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Makes The Humans & Lore Of The Monsterverse Even Better

The Monsterverse is really all about the epic battles between Godzilla, King Kong, and the other massive Titans. Audiences primarily tune in to see these giant creatures clash and unleash their power. While the movies do have human characters and a fairly interesting backstory, the real draw has always been the monsters themselves. If the franchise were to get even better, focusing on developing those human stories and expanding the lore would be the way to do it.

Fortunately, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters successfully deepened the human stories and background of the Monsterverse. It did this by exploring the beginnings of the Monarch organization and expanding the timeline of the Monsterverse. The series gave the human characters a renewed purpose, made them more relatable, and created genuine tension and suspense around the Monarch organization itself.

Because it takes place earlier in the timeline, Monarch helps improve some issues with the first Godzilla (2014) and Kong: Skull Island movies. Those films had trouble balancing the human stories with the exciting Titan action. Monarch gives the human characters more focus, making those earlier movies feel like essential parts of the larger Monsterverse story instead of skippable entries.

Beyond expanding the story and characters of the Monsterverse, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is simply a well-made show. It’s earned an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is considered one of the best science fiction series in recent years, skillfully weaving together multiple timelines. Even viewers unfamiliar with the Monsterverse will likely enjoy it as a strong sci-fi offering.

Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters Should Be Important To The Monsterverse’s Future

While Monarch: Legacy of Monsters helped improve how fans view the first Monsterverse films, it’s also likely to play a key role in what comes next. With Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire set to release in 2027, and rumors of SpaceGodzilla potentially appearing, the events of Monarch will probably be important to the story.

The season finale of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters introduced Rodan, and it’s possible we saw a second one of these Titans. This could easily lead to Rodan appearing in the upcoming Supernova movie. We might also see Titan X return, particularly if her eggs are in danger again.

Overall, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is crucial for the future of the Monsterverse, and it’s already proving why. The series expands on the history of the Monarch organization and adds significant depth to the Monsterverse’s overall story. If you haven’t watched it yet, you’re missing out on a really well-made and detailed piece of the Monsterverse.

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2026-05-26 03:38