In the late 1970s, as the Vietnam War winds down, a motley group of scientists, soldiers, and adventurers come together to explore an uncharted island in the Pacific Ocean, shrouded in myth and surrounded by a perpetual storm system. Led by Bill Randa, a senior official in a secretive government organization, the team seeks to map and uncover the secrets of the island before the Soviets can. They are joined by James Conrad, a skilled tracker, and Mason Weaver, a war photojournalist who suspects the expedition is more than just a scientific mission.

Upon arrival, the team's helicopters are attacked by a colossal ape, and the survivors are scattered across the island. The unrelenting Kong reigns as a majestic, yet fearsome protector of his domain, which is host to a myriad of other monstrous creatures and a native tribe that worships him as a deity. Amidst the chaos, the divided team members must navigate the perilous terrain and face the dangers of the island to reunite and escape. However, Lt. Colonel Packard, the military escort leader, driven by a personal vendetta, focuses on hunting down Kong, amplifying the clash between nature and man.