Since first debuting in 1954, Godzilla has reigned supreme as the undisputed king of kaiju. Appearing in countless forms of multimedia, from video games, TV, comics, and anime. It is their original cinematic presence for which they are most well-known and celebrated.
Featuring over 30 Japanese films and 4 American productions since 1954's Godzilla, there is a lot of content to consume for anybody wishing to delve into the Godzilla catalog. While there is much to enjoy in almost any Godzilla film for fans, some are clearly the best.
Updated on October 6th, 2022 by Jeremy Lim: The Godzilla franchise is still going strong, even to this day. What once was a commentary on World War II and the dangers of nuclear power has now evolved into a multimedia entertainment franchise with fans all across the globe. Even after numerous Hollywood adaptations over the years, many of the original Showa Era films still hold a special place in fans' hearts.
10 Godzilla: Final Wars
2004, 125 Minutes
Directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, the final film in Godzilla Millennium Era (1999-2004) was a celebration of the franchise's 50th anniversary. Final Wars was a fan service-filled love letter to everything that had come before.
Final Wars features cameos from many of Godzilla's most iconic adversaries and allies, such as King Ghidorah, Mothra, Rodan, and Gigan. Final Wars gave fans an explosive, entertaining trip through decades of cinematic history.
9 Godzilla
2014, 123 Minutes
Legendary Pictures' first entry into their MonsterVerse series of films would surprise both critics and audiences with its ability to capture the essence of Godzilla. 1998's Godzilla had proved to be a disastrous attempt at producing an American-made Godzilla film. But director Gareth Edwards proved skeptics wrong with this 2014 reimagining.
Godzilla (2014) featured a brilliant cast that included Bryan Cranston, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and a more serious tone than its predecessor. This Godzilla felt far more respectful to the legacy of its Japanese source material, while also serving as a brilliant film in its own right.
8 Destroy All Monsters
1968, 88 Minutes
The first kaiju battle royal in the Godzilla franchise, 1968s Destroy All Monsters brought together almost every monster seen in Toho's movies. While the actual plot of Destroy All Monsters isn't the strongest, the battles between kaiju more than make up for it.
It is a real treat to see so many kaiju come together on-screen, especially in their original 1960's Showa Era (1954-1975) depictions. Destroy All Monsters has gone down in history as one of the most iconic kaiju movies of all time, and it is easy to see why.
7 Invasion Of The Astro-Monster
1965, 94 Minutes
One of the highlights of the classic Showa Era, 1965s Invasion Of The Astro-Monster is Godzilla at its best. Astro-Monster features a giant battle between Godzilla, Rodan, and King Ghidorah and a cosmic plot focused on Earth's alien invasion. Astro-Monster is a fun-filled adventure that would define the tone of the series for the rest of the decade.
While a far cry from the grim tone of the original Godzilla, Astro-Monster has cemented its place in history as a bizarre, yet highly enjoyable film. Seeing Godzilla perform a victorious highland fling atop an alien planet is a sight that few can forget, and has become an iconic moment in the character's history.
6 Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla
1974, 84 Minutes
1974's Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla introduced the titular kaiju, and in turn, proved this movie as a kaiju classic. Featuring a darker and more violent tone, Mechagodzilla has one of the best kaiju fights in the entire series.
While the plot is nothing to write home about, seeing Godzilla battle against such an iconic rival as Mechagodzilla for the first time makes this an essential watch.
5 Mothra Vs. Godzilla
1964, 88 Minutes
After the success of Toho's Mothra in 1961, it wouldn't be long until the company would pair its two most popular kaiju. What would follow would be 1964s Mothra Vs. Godzilla, and it would become one of the most celebrated entries in the Godzilla series.
While the two previous sequels, Godzilla Raids Again and King Kong Vs. Godzilla, were successful, it wouldn't be until Mothra Vs. Godzilla that the identity of the franchise would become clear. Mothra Vs. Godzilla defined an iconic look, recognizable as a Showa Era film, and a high watermark for all subsequent entries to aspire to.
4 Godzilla Vs. Destoroyah
1995, 103 Minutes
Introducing the most fearsome antagonist in Godzilla's history, Destoroyah, 1995s Godzilla Vs. Destoroyah would end the Heisei Era (1984-1995) on a dark and somber note. An unstoppable force of destruction (that even Godzilla has trouble dealing with), Destoroyah was unlike any other foe.
Destoroyah culminates in the harrowing on-screen death of Godzilla Junior and Godzilla. The on-screen death of the most iconic kaiju in cinema history is impossible to forget. It adds an emotional gravitas to proceedings that hasn't been achieved in the series since.
3 Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster
1964, 93 Minutes
Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster introduced King Ghidorah. Ghidorah proves that all fans need is Godzilla, a great villain, and Godzilla's most recognizable kaiju buddies to be hit. Following soon after the release of Mothra Vs. Godzilla, Ghidorah would have Godzilla taking on the role of hero.
A genius move that defined the rest of the Showa Era, this laid the groundwork for many more battles with Ghidorah to come. While the two creatures have done battle countless times since, it has rarely been done as well.
2 Shin Godzilla
2016, 120 Minutes
Directed by Hideaki Anno, 2016's Shin Godzilla is unlike any other Godzilla film to date. Ramping up the horror elements and spotlighting a grotesque version of Godzilla with new body-horror-style powers, Shin Godzilla is genuinely frightening and unique.
There are few films in the Godzilla catalog as successful as Shin Godzilla. The winner of several Japan Academy Prize awards, Shin Godzilla has been the most critically acclaimed Godzilla for decades.
1 Godzilla
1954, 96 Minutes
Ishiro Honda's ground-breaking 1954 original Godzilla changed the way that monster films would be looked at. A million miles away from the low-budget, popcorn flicks that audiences were used to at the time, this was a whole different beast entirely.
Honda created a piece of art that many consider one of the greatest films ever made. While its sequels may not share much of this original vision, Godzilla remains a giant in the genre.