Godzilla, King of the Monsters, has been a popular culture icon for over half a century. Sadly, as a result of all types of distribution rights points, many Western audiences have by no means been in a position to watch among the unique Toho movies. For a very long time, a lot of the motion pictures have been unavailable on streaming platforms, so searching down dear DVDs was your solely possibility.
Nonetheless, the age of streaming video has (principally) solved this problem. Now you can watch Legendary’s MonsterVerse motion pictures on Max, the unique Godzilla movie on The Criterion Channel, and extra obscure entries on free streaming companies like Pluto TV. It is by no means been a greater time to marathon among the greatest kaiju movies round. Here is watch all of the Godzilla movies—each Japanese and American—so as.
How Many Godzilla Films Are There?
Godzilla seems in lots of movies, however what number of precisely comes all the way down to which motion pictures you need to depend. In whole, there are 30 live-action, Japanese-produced movies throughout 4 completely different “eras.” The primary 15 make up the Shōwa period, the following seven are from the Heisei period, the following six make up the Millennium period, and the Reiwa period consists of two live-action movies and three anime motion pictures.
There are 5 American-made movies as properly. A number of of the unique Japanese movies have been additionally re-cut for American audiences, including to the confusion of simply what number of movies exist. It ought to be famous that continuity between the completely different eras turns into wonky with quite a few reboots and relaunches. It is utterly as much as you whether or not or not any of this issues.
Contemplating these are kaiju motion pictures that concentrate on monster fights and rampant destruction, continuity does not appear tremendous vital. If you wish to get pleasure from Godzilla by the years, begin from the start and work your manner down. If you happen to choose one thing nearer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, try the MonsterVerse motion pictures first—there aren’t any guidelines right here.
Shōwa Period (1954 – 1975)
King Caesar, Mechagodzilla, and Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) (Credit score: Toho Co., Ltd. / Criterion)
Named after the reign of Japanese Emperor Hirohito, the Shōwa period is made up of the movies produced between 1954 and 1975. That features the unique film, in addition to the next kaiju movies that launched the likes of Mothra, Ghidorah, and Mechagodzilla.
Godzilla (1954)
Within the film that began all of it, Japan should take care of the sudden look of a harmful monster following latest atomic bomb testing. An Americanized edit of the movie additionally exists, titled Godzilla, King of the Monsters!
Godzilla Raids Once more (1955)
Godzilla returns to threaten Japan, participating in a fierce battle towards the enormous Ankylosaurus named Anguirus. A re-edited and dubbed model of the movie was launched within the US, known as Gigantis, the Hearth Monster.
King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
A long time earlier than the MonsterVerse was born, Japan’s Godzilla fought America’s King Kong on prime of Mount Fuji. The success of this movie inspired Toho to prioritize extra Godzilla movies. Sadly, the film isn’t as available on-line as the opposite movies of this period.
Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)
Following up on Toho’s 1961 Mothra movie, humanity turns to the insect god Mothra for assist as a way to cease Godzilla. There’s additionally an Americanized model of the movie, Godzilla vs. The Factor.
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964)
When an extraterrestrial involves Earth to warn humanity concerning the coming of the three-headed dragon King Ghidorah, Japan should deliver collectively Godzilla, Mothra, and Rodan as a way to save the world. This movie was often called Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster in the USA.
Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)
Aliens from Planet X request using Godzilla and Rodan towards the attacking King Ghidorah. Nonetheless, these aliens have a special plan that features all three monsters. Launched within the US 5 years later, it was billed beneath the identify Monster Zero.
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966)
Set on a distant island managed by a terrorist group, this movie sees Godzilla reawaken to combat towards a large lobster often called Ebirah. When the film was launched in the USA, it was titled Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster.
Son of Godzilla (1967)
Because the title suggests, Godzilla turns into a father on this movie. After hatching from an egg, Minilla is mentored by the King of the Monsters within the artwork of being Godzilla. The 2 should then combat big praying mantises and spiders on a tropical island.
Destroy All Monsters (1968)
Within the close to future, humanity has achieved world peace and big monsters are relegated to Monster Island. When aliens mind-control Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, and others, they’re despatched to destroy the world’s capitals. It culminates in an all-out battle towards King Ghidorah.
All Monsters Assault (1969)
A schoolboy learns to beat his worry of bullies after dreaming about Godzilla and Minilla, and seeing the little monster overcome his personal issues with an abusive monster. When the movie was launched in the USA, it was billed beneath the identify Godzilla’s Revenge.
Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971)
When Hedorah seems on Earth, the shape-shifting monster that’s powered by air pollution proves to be greater than a match for Godzilla. The movie was launched as Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster in the USA.
Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972)
A race of cockroach aliens use Gigan and King Ghidorah in a plot to destroy humanity and take over the Earth. Solely Godzilla and Anguirus stand of their manner of world domination. When the movie was launched internationally 5 years later, it was often called Godzilla on Monster Island within the US and Conflict of the Monsters within the UK.
Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)
When an undersea civilization is disturbed by nuclear testing, they ship their champion Megalon to get revenge. The movie culminates in a tag-team battle between Godzilla and Jet Jaguar towards Megalon and Gigan.
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
The sudden look of a violent Godzilla imposter sees the true King of the Monsters workforce up with the guardian deity King Caesar to tackle the highly effective Mechagodzilla. This film was launched internationally as each Godzilla vs. the Bionic Monster and Godzilla vs. the Cosmic Monster.
Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975)
Following instantly on the occasions of the final movie, Mechagodzilla is rebuilt and its alien creators work with a mad scientist to destroy the world. Godzilla should then defeat the mechanical doppelganger and Titanosaurus. This film was launched internationally as each Monsters From an Unknown Planet and The Terror of Godzilla.
Heisei Period (1984 – 1995)
Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) (Credit score: Toho Photos)
Following the monetary disappointment of Terror of Mechagodzilla, Toho took a break from Godzilla motion pictures earlier than coming again and rebooting the sequence. These movies, produced beneath the brand new emperor of Japan, returned Godzilla as a menace to mankind and targeted on the biology of the mutated monster.
The Return of Godzilla (1984)
Ignoring all the opposite movies after the unique, The Return of Godzilla sees the monster resurface within the midst of the Chilly Conflict. With the world’s superpowers at odds, Japan should defend towards Godzilla’s new assault. A closely edited US model was launched as Godzilla 1985.
Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)
Following Godzilla’s earlier defeat, its genetic materials is recovered for experimental functions. A company battle for the management of the cells ends in a combat between the monster and a human-plant-Godzilla hybrid often called Biollante.
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)
Time vacationers from the long run plan to return in time and stop Godzilla from ever being created. Nonetheless, in addition they plot to create King Ghidorah and destroy Japan. Ultimately, the 2 monsters battle to determine the destiny of the world.
Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
When a meteoroid crashes to Earth and reawakens Godzilla, the monster turns into embroiled in a centuries-old battle between Mothra and her counterpart Battra. The film was named Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth for the direct-to-video launch in the USA.
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Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993)
As a way to higher defend towards Godzilla, Japan creates a army process drive to cease future assaults. After creating Mechagodzilla and discovering Child Godzilla, the company invokes the ire of Godzilla and an epic battle ensues.
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994)
When Godzilla’s cells are irradiated in area, it creates SpaceGodzilla, a strong clone of the monster. The true Godzilla should work along with Japan’s M.O.G.U.E.R.A. mecha as a way to stop SpaceGodzilla from destroying the planet.
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995)
After years of absorbing radiation, Godzilla is on the verge of a nuclear meltdown that might destroy all the planet. As Japan makes an attempt to resolve the problem, Godzilla is attacked by Destoroyah and one closing battle ensues.
Millennium Period (1999 – 2004)
Orga and Godzilla from Godzilla 2000 (1999) (Credit score: Toho Photos)
Toho as soon as once more rebooted the Godzilla franchise with the Millennium sequence, utilizing solely the unique Godzilla movie and dealing from there. Many of the movies on this period are standalone tales, creating one thing of an anthology sequence for the franchise.
Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999)
Now thought of an unavoidable drive of nature, Godzilla continues to terrorize Japan and all humanity can do is try to get out of the best way. When a UFO is found on Earth, it makes use of Godzilla’s regenerative properties to create Orga, a mutated monster that could be robust sufficient to kill Godzilla and take over the world.
Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000)
In an alternate timeline the place Godzilla’s preliminary assault was by no means stopped, nuclear energy has been banned and Japan develops countermeasures to cease the monster. Sadly, these measures by chance create a brand new kaiju—Megaguirus, a prehistoric dragonfly imbued with Godzilla’s atomic energy.
Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Big Monsters All-Out Assault (2001)
Determined to cease Godzilla’s onslaught, humanity unleashes the religious guardians Baragon, Mothra, and Ghidorah as a way to lastly put an finish to the monster’s assault as soon as and for all.
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Godzilla In opposition to Mechagodzilla (2002)
As a way to cease a brand new Godzilla from destroying Japan, Mechagodzilla is constructed from the skeletal stays of the unique monster. Believed to be the final word weapon to guard the nation, controlling the mechanical Godzilla proves to be harder than anticipated.
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)
Set one yr after the earlier movie, it’s the solely entry of the Millennium period to share continuity with one other film aside from the 1954 unique. When Godzilla inevitably returns, Mechagodzilla and Mothra come collectively as a way to tackle the recurring menace.
Godzilla: Remaining Wars (2004)
To rejoice the fiftieth anniversary of the franchise, Toho throws waves of kaiju on the titular monster. Within the midst of an alien plot to destroy the world, Godzilla fights Rodan, Anguirus, King Caesar, Mothra and others, culminating in an epic battle with the superpowered Monster X.
Reiwa Period (2016 – Current)
Godzilla from Shin Godzilla (2016) (Credit score: Toho Photos)
After greater than a decade with no Japanese-produced movie, the Reiwa period started with the discharge of Shin Godzilla in 2016. Toho adopted this launch with a trilogy of anime movies from Polygon Photos. Extra live-action movies linked in a Marvel-style cinematic universe are additionally being deliberate.
Shin Godzilla (2016)
A whole reboot of the franchise, Shin Godzilla follows Japan’s makes an attempt to take care of a mutating nuclear menace for the primary time. This new Godzilla evolves into numerous types throughout its harmful onslaught. The Japanese authorities should then discover a answer earlier than the remainder of the world launches its personal assault.
Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017)
Godzilla’s destruction in the end forces humanity to go away Earth for a possible new house. Nonetheless, when that new world proves to be unhospitable, mankind and its alien allies return 20,000 years later and try and kill Godzilla as soon as and for all. Watch it on Netflix.
Godzilla: Metropolis on the Fringe of Battle (2018)
The surviving members of the expedition to kill Godzilla attempt to reuse remnants of the Mechagodzilla nanotechnology to lastly take down their enemy. Nonetheless, when Mechagodzilla Metropolis reveals to be extra harmful than anticipated, will the people sacrifice their humanity to cease their historic foe? Watch it on Netflix.
Godzilla: The Planet Eater (2018)
With Mechagodzilla Metropolis destroyed and their alien allies revolting, humanity is out of choices of their struggle towards Godzilla. In a single closing try, the harmful god Ghidorah is summoned to do battle with the monster, however is that this what mankind actually needs? Watch it on Netflix.
Godzilla Minus One (2023)
Going down earlier than the unique Godzilla movie, Godzilla Minus One depicts a confrontation between Japan’s army and a nuclear-powered, dinosaur-like creature. You’ll be able to at present watch the movie, subbed or dubbed, on Netflix.
American Productions
Godzilla and Kong in Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) (Credit score: Warner Bros. Leisure)
There have been many efforts to supply American-made Godzilla movies through the years, however success has been restricted. Tri-Star Photos tried to make a trilogy however solely launched one film earlier than calling it quits. The present MonsterVerse from Legendary Photos has confirmed to be essentially the most profitable to date.
Godzilla (1998)
A reimagining of the Godzilla idea, this monster is a mutated iguana who involves New York Metropolis as a way to nest. After the US army proves unable to defeat the creature, it comes all the way down to a ragtag workforce of New Yorkers who should cease Godzilla.
Godzilla (2014)
Within the first movie of Legendary’s MonsterVerse, Godzilla arrives in San Francisco after spending many years evading a clandestine group’s makes an attempt to destroy it. Godzilla in the end battles two different monsters because the people caught within the crossfire attempt to keep alive. Someway this film isn’t at present streaming anyplace.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
When a terrorist group unleashes King Ghidorah and different monsters in an effort to cull the human inhabitants, Godzilla and Mothra should combat their enemy so as prime cease the destruction and show who’s the true King of the Monsters.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Throughout an try and return him to his ancestral house inside the Earth’s core, Kong is reunited with Godzilla, his historic enemy. The crossover movie see the 2 battle it out for supremacy earlier than teaming as much as combat Mechagodzilla.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
Within the follow-up crossover movie, Kong learns of the existence of different members of his species. As a way to cease the Skar King from unleashing a second ice age, he should as soon as once more workforce up with Godzilla and combat again.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is the primary tv sequence to be set in Legendary’s Monsterverse and offers with the fallout of Godzilla’s emergence as depicted in Godzilla (2014). On the identical time, it additionally investigates the origins of the titular Monarch group.
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