Monarch: Legacy of Monsters roars back February 27, 2026 - here's what's coming
If your Fridays got louder last year, get ready. Apple TV just circled February 27, 2026 for season two of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters - with a fresh teaser to prove it. One episode drops on premiere day, then it's a weekly march to May 1. Appointment viewing, again.
The show's core is still the same heartbeat: family histories colliding with world-shaking secrets. Season one tracked two siblings chasing their ties to the shadowy group known as Monarch, cutting between the 1950s and present day, with Lee Shaw (movies and tv series) played by Kurt Russell (movies and tv series) and Wyatt Russell (movies and tv series). Season two ups the stakes. We're headed back to Kong's Skull Island. There's a mysterious coastal village. And a Titan rises from the sea. The kind of setup where bonds blur and old choices echo forward.
Key details at a glance
- Premiere: Friday, February 27, 2026 (global on Apple TV)
- Rollout: 10 episodes, one every Friday through May 1, 2026
- Cast: Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Anna Sawai (movies and tv series), Kiersey Clemons (movies and tv series), Ren Watabe (movies and tv series), Mari Yamamoto (movies and tv series), Joe Tippett (movies and tv series), Anders Holm (movies and tv series)
- Teaser: Apple TV has released a first look at season two
The story we're stepping into
Monarch's fate - and honestly, the planet's - is hanging by a thread. Season two promises buried secrets that pull heroes and villains back into the same orbit, the kind of reunions that don't feel safe. And with a Titan event looming, it's less "who wins" and more "who makes it through."
If you skipped season one, you can still catch up quickly. The show toggles between a mid-century origin and modern fallout, using Lee Shaw as the bridge. It's smart because it keeps the mystery alive while showing the cost - to families, to cities, to anyone who thought monsters were just stories.
Who's making it
Season two hails from Legendary Television. Executive producers include Joby Harold (movies and tv series) and Tory Tunnell (Safehouse Pictures), Chris Black (movies and tv series), Jen Roskind, Matt Shakman (movies and tv series), Lawrence Trilling (movies and tv series), and Andrew Colville. Black is showrunner this season; Trilling directs four episodes; Colville writes two and EPs.
Toho Co., Ltd. - the home of Godzilla - is in the mix with executive producers Hiro Matsuoka and Takemasa Arita. Toho licensed Godzilla to Legendary, part of a long-running relationship that's fueled this entire Monsterverse.
Why this matters (especially if you cover TV)
This isn't a one-off. Apple TV and Legendary have a multi-series deal tied to Monarch, including this second season and multiple spinoffs. It's a clear signal: big, serialized genre worlds are still a growth bet, and Apple wants a monster-sized tentpole anchoring Fridays.
There's also the larger Monsterverse context. Since 2014's Godzilla, the film side has stacked up over $2.5B worldwide, most recently with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire - the franchise's biggest earner and the top-grossing Godzilla title to date. Another film, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, is slated for 2027. If you're programming coverage, the runway's long and interconnected.
What to watch for
- Father-son dynamic: Kurt and Wyatt Russell returning as two eras of Lee Shaw is still the show's secret sauce.
- Skull Island return: Expect the ecosystem itself to be a character, not just a backdrop.
- A new Titan: The season teases a sea-born threat tied to a "mysterious village." That usually means lore - and consequences.
- Weekly cadence: Friday drops give the series a social conversation window. Plan recaps, explainers, and Easter egg checks accordingly.
Quick context on Apple TV
Since launching in 2019, Apple's streaming service has leaned on premium, creator-driven shows and films. The tally so far: 640 wins and 2,872 award nominations across Apple Originals - with titles like Ted Lasso, The Studio, and CODA leading the way. That momentum is the backdrop for Monarch's return. Apple wants another fan-fueled, week-to-week conversation starter. And this universe has the audience to do it.
Bottom line: the Titans are back on a fixed schedule, the creative bench is deep, and the larger Monsterverse keeps feeding demand. If you cover TV, mark the calendar and get your season one refresh in now. Fridays are about to get loud again.
Season one of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is streaming now on Apple TV.
