It sounds a little odd to say this out loud because we are talking about a Godzilla show here, but Monarch: Legacy of Monsters was one of the most pleasant surprises of the past half-decade. The Apple TV+ show is set in Legendary and Warner Bros.' MonsterVerse, so the larger-than-life Titan scenes were expected. What wasn't expected was the truly exquisite human drama that originated across the two different timelines of the show.
Set shortly after the events of 2014's Godzilla as well as in the 1950s, the series stars Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell as Lee Shaw, showcasing his journey with the monsters across his whole life. Through it, mysteries are uncovered and secrets are revealed as the show delves into the backstory involving the shady organization that has made its presence felt across the MonsterVerse movies. And it's a thrill-ride, showing that the franchise is still capable of being as serious as it started out as (while also saving time for some truly captivating Titan battles).
It's been almost two years since the first season graced our screens, but that doesn't mean we should expect the next installment anytime soon.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 2 is expected in 2026
While there were some hopes that the second season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters might make its way to our screens before the end of 2025, it's looking like that will no longer be the case and that it will actually release next year instead. And we're not just going on hearsay here, either, as these expectations were created by the Apple TV+ service itself.
Earlier this summer, the streaming platform unveiled a brand new sizzle reel that showcased some of the upcoming titles that fans can expect throughout the remainder of the year and, unfortunately Monarch season 2 wasn't listed among them. This seemingly rules the possibility of a 2025 return out, suggesting that Godzilla, Kong, Lee Shaw, Kate Randa and the rest of Randa family will return in 2026 instead.
Production on season 2 wrapped earlier this year, so getting it to screens before 2025 came to a close was always going to be a long-shot due to the heavy visual effects that the show would require. After all, we are talking about blockbuster movie-level effects here (Godzilla and Kong look identical to their big screen appearances), so just like we see with any blockbuster movie, there is a lengthy post-production period needed to bring the project to life.
Taking all of that into account, we can likely expect Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season 2 to premiere in early 2026 (with summer 2026 being the latest possibility). A 2026 release date is also supported by a recent rumor that claims it will indeed be next year before Godzilla stomps back onto our screens. And if that is the case, it means that 2026 could be a very big year for the beloved movie monster, as Toho's long-awaited sequel to Godzilla Minus One is rumored to come out next year too.
The first season of Monarch was a resounding success, receiving universally positive reviews for capturing human characters in a way that none of the MonsterVerse movies have really been able to. It also performed well for the service as it was promptly renewed for a second season while Apple TV+ also commissioned more MonsterVerse spinoffs to go along with it.
This is a also very exciting time to be a fan of the MonsterVerse franchise. The most recent installment in the film series, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, surpassed expectations to become the most successful movie in the MonsterVerse saga yet - resulting in a sixth film, titled Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, getting greenlit. It also earned a positive fan response for offering up non-stop monster movie entertainment. And with Monarch deciding to showcase the more emotional side of the franchise, MonsterVerse fans truly are having their cake and eating it. It's the best of both worlds all around!
After that season 1 cliffhanger saw Keiko reunited with her son Hiroshi in what was easily one of the most emotional TV moments of the past few years, it was revealed that Apex had a facility on Skull Island. Of course, that meant that our favorite movie King made a cameo, as Kong entered the picture as a storm raged down upon the island, roaring as the credits rolled. Yep, we'll probably see even more of him in season 2 too!