Carl Denham, a filmmaker and entrepreneur, leads an expedition to Skull Island, a place where time has stood still. The natives pay homage to the one whom they revere as "Kong," and who is, indeed, king of the island. Denham, together with his beautiful starlet, Ann Darrow, and the crew of the ship, investigate a strange ritual being performed on the island by its native population. When Ann finds herself captured by the natives to become the bride of the mysterious Kong, the ship's first mate, Jack Driscoll, who is in love with Ann, manages to rescue her from the clutches of Kong. Denham then arranges to capture the creature, whom he calls "King Kong" and takes him back to New York.