The Monsterverse continues to expand, jumping from the big screen to Apple TV Plus with Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Set directly after the first film in the franchise, 2014's Godzilla, the series picks up following the epic smackdown between the titular monster and the MUTOs that devastated San Francisco. The show follows two siblings as they unravel their family’s connection to the mysterious Monarch organisation and to Army officer Lee Shaw.
Secrets are revealed in the shadow of the Titans, with all episodes available now on Apple TV Plus, which you can watch from anywhere with a VPN, if needs be.
Original release date: Friday, November 17, 2023
Global stream: Apple TV Plus
Episodes: 10
Watch from anywhere with Express VPN
After four mega-blockbuster cinematic instalments, Legacy of Monsters marks Legendary’s first time bringing the Monsterverse to TV.
Timeline-wise, the series serves as both sequel and prequel, set over two time periods. One portion takes place in the 1950s, prior to Vietnam-era Kong: Skull Island, and the rest focuses on the time period between the 2014 movie and its follow up, Godzilla: King of the Monsters.
So far, the movies have teased the importance of the Monarch organisation, with Godzilla vs. Kong giving a firm glimpse inside their modern day operation, but Legacy of Monsters delves deeper in its origins and purpose throughout history.
Kurt Russell stars as Lee Shaw, while his son Wyatt Russell (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) takes on the character in the 1950s set scenes. Alongside them, John Goodman reprises his Kong: Skull Island role of Bill Randa while Anna Sawai plays his rumoured daughter, Cate.
The show was co-created by Matt Fraction (Hawkeye) and Chris Black (Severance) with episodes being directed by WandaVision showrunner Matt Shakman among others.
Read on for everything you need to know to watch Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on Apple TV Plus.
How to watch Monarch: Legacy of Monsters in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia globally
How to watch Monarch: Legacy of Monsters from anywhere
If you're abroad in one of the few countries where Apple TV Plus is not available, you will likely run into geo-fenced restrictions on the platforms and services you can use. But with the help of a virtual private network (VPN), you can watch Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and all the other shows you want on the services you already pay for no matter where you are.
Based on our expert testing, the best VPN is ExpressVPN, which is easy to use and delivers fast internet speeds, making it simple to set up for streaming in no time at all. It also works on practically any device, starting with iOS and Android and including streaming devices such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick and Apple TV.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters episode schedule
Episodes of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters landed on Apple TV Plus on Fridays from November 17 through January 12, with the whole season available now. Here's the full schedule:
- Episode 1: "Aftermath" - Friday, November 17, 2023
- Episode 2: "Departure" - Friday, November 17, 2023
- Episode 3: "Secrets & Lies" - Friday, November 24, 2023
- Episode 4: "Parallels and Interiors" - December 1, 2023
- Episode 5: "The Way Out" - December 8, 2023
- Episode 6: "Terrifying Miracles" - December 15, 2023
- Episode 7: "Will the Real May Please Stand Up?" - December 22, 2023
- Episode 8: "Birthright" - December 29, 2023
- Episode 9: "Axis Mundi" - January 5, 2024
- Episode 10: "Beyond Logic" - January 12, 2024
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters trailer
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters cast
- Anna Sawai as Cate Randa
- Kiersey Clemons as May
- Ren Watabe as Kentaro
- Mari Yamamoto as Keiko
- Anders Holm as Young Bill Randa
- John Goodman as Bill Randa
- Joe Tippett as Tim
- Kurt Russell as Lee Shaw
- Wyatt Russell as Young Lee Shaw
- Elisa Lasowski as Duvall
More from Tom's Guide
- Best Apple TV apps and games
- HBO Max vs Max: Everything that's changed
- Best iPhones: which should you buy?
