Mark Hamill Hailed King Kong as the Greatest Movie Ever Made

by

Mark Hamill is a celebrated figure in Hollywood, and he still finds some of his own films impressive. Best known as Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, he’s also played many other memorable roles, including The Major in The Long Walk. Many fans consider his voice acting performance as the Joker for DC to be the definitive one. After decades in the industry, Hamill’s impact on acting is undeniable.

Mark Hamill’s passion for movies began with a classic film from 1933. This influential monster movie sparked his love of Hollywood and helped shape him into the celebrated actor he is now. He still considers it one of his all-time favorites, and for good reason.

King Kong Inspired a Young Mark Hamill to Work in Hollywood

Mark Hamill recently shared his four favorite films in an interview with Letterboxd (as reported by Far Out Magazine). His choices included films from his childhood and those considered landmarks in cinema. Topping his list was a movie released before he was even born: the original 1933 film, King Kong. Hamill says it remains his all-time favorite, even after over ninety years.

Hamill said the 1933 black-and-white film King Kong would be his top pick, fondly recalling how it sparked his childhood dream of working in special effects and bringing creatures to life. The classic monster movie, now 92 years old, famously introduced King Kong and featured a host of other terrifying monsters inhabiting Skull Island, like giant spiders and dinosaurs.

The original King Kong was groundbreaking for its time, vividly bringing fantastical creatures like enormous apes scaling skyscrapers and humans hunted by dinosaurs to the big screen. It quickly became, and remains, a beloved classic. While often recognized for influencing monster movies, King Kong’s impact on future filmmakers – like Hamill, who credits it with sparking his passion for film – is often overlooked.

Mark Hamill isn’t the only one who still loves the original 1933 King Kong film. Many others consider it a favorite, and continue to praise it after all these years. The movie’s unexpected success also inspired a generation of filmmakers. As a result, King Kong remains as impactful and beloved today as it was ninety-two years ago.

Why 1933’s King Kong Is Still Iconic Today

Even today, not everyone has seen the original King Kong, but its impact on popular culture remains strong. Most film fans recognize the famous line, “‘Twas beauty killed the beast,” and the image of the giant gorilla scaling the Empire State Building while battling airplanes. These scenes have been copied, made fun of, and alluded to in numerous films over the past ninety-two years, solidifying King Kong‘s place as a classic from Hollywood’s Golden Age.

The 1933 film King Kong has had a lasting impact, spawning numerous sequels and remakes. It launched a large franchise, including films like Son of Kong and even crossovers with monsters like Godzilla. The original story has been retold several times, evolving with advancements in filmmaking techniques. Peter Jackson’s 2005 version, for example, used motion capture to bring Kong to life – a significant leap from the stop-motion animation used in the 1933 classic.

As a monster movie fan, I’m thrilled to see Kong still smashing onto the scene! He’s become a central figure in this expanding cinematic universe, though he’s dropped the ‘King’ title, and we’ve been following his epic battles with other colossal creatures, most notably Godzilla. He’s already starred in several Monsterverse films like Kong: Skull Island and Godzilla vs. Kong, but the story isn’t over. I’m especially excited to see what happens next, as Kong will be back in 2027’s Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, continuing this unlikely team-up with Godzilla.

Even after almost a century since he first appeared on screen, King Kong remains a hugely popular and instantly recognizable figure in Hollywood. His appeal likely stems from the simple excitement of seeing a giant gorilla cause chaos, but also from his surprisingly human side, which allows audiences to connect with him. Ultimately, the groundbreaking special effects and memorable story from the original 1933 film are the key to King Kong’s lasting popularity.

Mark Hamill’s Favorite Films Are a Time Capsule of Hollywood

For a film enthusiast like Mark Hamill – known for being part of the revolutionary Star Wars franchise – King Kong is a fitting favorite. Like Star Wars, the original King Kong was a landmark film that pushed the boundaries of storytelling and special effects, and continues to influence Hollywood. However, King Kong isn’t the only great movie Hamill highlighted in his recent interview with Letterboxd as part of his ‘Four Favorites’.

The seventy-four-year-old actor also cited The Manchurian Candidate as a personal favorite film. Many consider the original 1962 political thriller to be a classic, and with good reason. Led by Frank Sinatra and featuring Hollywood legends like Angela Lansbury and Janet Leigh, the film effectively shows the impact of war on soldiers while remaining a gripping and entertaining conspiracy story. It was later remade in 2004, starring Denzel Washington.

Mark Hamill also expressed his fondness for classic comedies, including The Little Rascals. Though he didn’t specify which version he prefers, it’s likely he’s a fan of the original short films rather than the movie released in the 1990s.

Mark Hamill’s final pick for his ‘Four Favorites’ is the classic comedy team of Laurel and Hardy. He doesn’t have a single favorite film of theirs, but praises all of their work – over two dozen movies and thirty shorts! Though they mostly made silent films, Laurel and Hardy aren’t as widely celebrated today as some other comedy acts.

Mark Hamill loves classic Hollywood films, including both hilarious comedies and groundbreaking monster movies. While many of these films aren’t as popular now as they once were, King Kong has stood the test of time, remaining just as famous ninety-two years after its 1933 release.

King Kong is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

Read More

2025-12-14 02:37