Godzilla Movie Rankings
This list is all things Godzilla and the other movie universe films that overlap his character, namely all things Toho. If it's a movie about Godzilla or one of his rivals, you'll find it here.
List activity
1.1K views
• 3 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
47 titles
- DirectorTakashi YamazakiStarsMinami HamabeMunetaka AokiRyunosuke KamikiA kamikaze pilot plagued by survivor's guilt seeks redemption when a giant monster he failed to kill is transformed by radiation from atomic bomb tests and lays siege to post-WWII Japan.It's certainly the best Godzilla movie I've seen in theaters. I have always believed the way to make a great Godzilla movie is to make not only him awesome but also the characters so we have a rooting interest. They nailed it all the way around with this one. Aside from a few nitpicks at the end, this is about as perfect as a Godzilla movie can get.
- DirectorKoji HashimotoStarsKeiju KobayashiKen TanakaYasuko SawaguchiThe Japanese government suppresses news of Godzilla's return as political tensions increase between the US and USSR, both of whom are willing to bomb Japan to stop the monster.Everything about this movie works so well but especially the dark tone and ominous atmosphere while maintaining that sweet 80s goodness. As a character, this is peak Godzilla to me. He is at his best as a menacing wrecking machine, and this dark, cold movie captures it the best. The costume is one of the best in the series and one I remember well growing up as a kid. The story is quite strong as well as Godzilla already exists in this world but has largely been forgotten 30 years after his original rampage. It's alluded to that this is possibly the same monster, but no one can be sure. Maybe it's just because I adore all things 80s, but this is the best Godzilla movie I've seen thus far.
- DirectorHideaki AnnoShinji HiguchiStarsHiroki HasegawaYutaka TakenouchiSatomi IshiharaJapan is plunged into chaos upon the appearance of a giant monster.Godzilla is a huge part of Japanese culture, and this movie does him modern justice as it truly feels larger than life. The human perspective is fantastic in this movie and completely realistic, which raises the stakes when Godzilla starts wrecking the world. It's a very unique movie for being in the giant monster genre and certainly one of the very best Godzilla movies ever made.
- DirectorShûsuke KanekoStarsChiharu NiiyamaRyûdô UzakiMasahiro KobayashiA reporter, notorious for working on pseudo-documentaries, must uncover the legend of the three guardian monsters who must rise to defend Japan from the vengeful spirits within Godzilla.I'm blown away by how awesome this movie is. As far as monsters existing in our world and man's way of reacting to it, you can't find a better entry than this. Just check out the scene where the woman decides to take a selfie with Baragon in the background. This is hard evidence that people in suits and puppets still look more realistic than the very best CGI, and this is the perfect blend of special effects with real scenery. I'm sure it was expensive as hell to make. Godzilla is a flat-out beast in this one, the most menacing he's been since the '84 masterpiece. Like Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, I'm still not that crazy about King Ghidorah serving as a hero. Also, like that film, this had the potential to be the very best Godzilla movie if the ending was a little bit better.
- DirectorKazuki ÔmoriKoji HashimotoKenjirô OhmoriStarsKunihiko MitamuraYoshiko TanakaMasanobu TakashimaDesolate by the loss of his daughter, a geneticist creates a monstrous new mutation.This is the version of Godzilla that I always used to see as toys growing up, and it's obvious why: it's the most fierce looking of all. This movie is just loaded with great visuals from the new nemesis Biollante (despite the bizarre origin) to Godzilla staring down the telepathic young girl on the helicopter pad. There are also some great characters in this one from the cocky military agent with snide remarks to the young gun trying to serve his country by taking Godzilla down. It's glorious to watch it all unfold, and it's absolutely one of the best in the series.
- DirectorIshirô HondaStarsTakashi ShimuraAkihiko HirataAkira TakaradaAfter a dinosaur-like beast - awoken from undersea hibernation by atom bomb testing - ravages Tokyo, a scientist must decide if his similarly dangerous weapon should be used to destroy it.I have long held the belief that there is no truly perfect Godzilla movie, and I stand by it after my most recent rewatching of the one considered by most to be the best: the one that started it all. This is a fine film with a few iconic moments and a great finale, but it's not on the level of even King Kong from 21 years prior. Despite Godzilla's demise at the end, they leave the door open to continue the franchise and proceed to do so.
- DirectorKazuki ÔmoriKoji HashimotoStarsKôsuke ToyoharaAnna NakagawaMegumi OdakaTime travelers use Godzilla in their scheme to destroy Japan to prevent the country's future economic reign.Probably considered one of the most outrageous entries, this is also easily one of the most fun. I love King Ghidorah, and, even though this movie messes with his origin (as well as Godzilla's), his involvement sets up not one but two titanic clashes. From a writing perspective, I give them tons of props for the creativity, especially the wild flip-flopping of who the villain is at any given moment. It has more twists and turns that Ghidora has heads!
- DirectorMichael DoughertyStarsKyle ChandlerVera FarmigaMillie Bobby BrownThe crypto-zoological agency Monarch faces off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah.The more I see this movie, the more I cherish it. It's a great follow up to the 2014 reboot and incorporates so many monsters and ideas while respecting their history. There are no bad reimaginations here, and the only fault I can find with the movie at all is the young girl doing a little too much. Her aside, I enjoyed the various takes from so many human characters and how nobody is really viewed as right or wrong so much as they are left to deal with the ramifications of their actions.
- DirectorGareth EdwardsStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonElizabeth OlsenBryan CranstonThe world is beset by the appearance of monstrous creatures, but one of them may be the only one who can save humanity.The second American attempt at Godzilla is worlds better than the first. Godzilla has always been a cool concept just limited by the movie-making capabilities of the time. Now, we can make him do anything and make him look realistic doing it. More than anything, the film does a really great job of capturing the human perspective of monsters suddenly walking the Earth. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the villain MUTOs. It just feels like they are going for Mothra without having the rights to the creature locked up yet. I would have preferred having a classic villain appear. With that said, man, is this movie easy to watch and, man, does it movie look cool.
- DirectorJun FukudaStarsAkira TakaradaKumi MizunoChôtarô TôginFour men searching for one's brother are shipwrecked on Letchi Island, where they encounter Godzilla, a monstrous lobster, and terrorists who have enslaved the natives of Infant Island.It might be an unpopular choice, but this is the first Godzilla movie I saw as a kid and remains one of my favorites. This one just has everything I want in fantasy/science fiction films, including a criminal organization, a beautiful island setting perimetered by a giant lobster and a real Bond-like feel to it. It actually reminds me a lot of Dr. No/You Only Live Twice combined with the Mysterious Island. It has heart too, with messages about doing the right thing even when it's dangerous. I find this to be a real treasure and can't believe it's so poorly received by many.
- DirectorTakao OkawaraKazuki ÔmoriStarsMasahiro TakashimaRyoko SanoMegumi OdakaThe United Nations assembles the ultimate weapon to defeat Godzilla, while scientists discover a fresh pteranodon egg on a remote Japanese island.The Heisei era continues to produce quality films that always appear to be on the cusp of true greatness before a familiar pattern sets in, namely making Godzilla the villain for most of the movie. The beginning of this movie is purely awesome as I love the origin for the rebooted Mechagodzilla coming from the future cyborg Mecha King Ghidorah. The opening credits are tremendous and set up a great film that doesn't quite live up to its potential. The strangest thing about this movie is not the decision to reintroduce Godzilla's son but to call the movie Mechagodzilla II when it's a reboot rather than a sequel.
- DirectorJun FukudaStarsMasaaki DaimonKazuya AoyamaReiko TajimaAn Okinawan prophecy appears to foretell Earth's destruction at the hands of Godzilla, only for the true Godzilla to reveal his doppelganger as a mechanical alien weapon.Mechagodzilla is the first Godzilla nemesis I've really enjoyed since King Ghidorah, so this movie couldn't come at a better time after several stinkers in a row. The story here is more James Bond like in the same vein as the first Ghidorah movie, and that works for me. I am tired of the aliens trying to use giant monsters to take over the planet, but at least this giant monster is fresh and quite menacing. I also like King Caesar and the mythology around him. It makes the movie a good blend of mystical and sci-fi, and that's everything I want in these films.
- DirectorTakao OkawaraStarsTakehiro MurataHiroshi AbeNaomi NishidaAn independent group of researchers actively track Godzilla as a giant meteor is discovered. The mysterious rock begins to levitate as its true intentions for the world and Godzilla are revealed.After the American bastardization of Godzilla, Japan responds with a pretty interesting movie. This reboot starts with a lot of potential as Godzilla beautifully wrecks a city in the background. After that, things get a little weird as this movie seems to take shots at Roland Emmerich by having a lot of similarities to Independence Day. The biggest hindrance to this movie is the weak CGI in several scenes. The monster threat is unique but not amazing, but the film bookends nicely with Godzilla again laying waste to the city as the credits roll.
- DirectorRyûhei KitamuraKoji HashimotoShûsuke KanekoStarsMasahiro MatsuokaRei KikukawaDon FryeGodzilla's fiftieth Anniversary project, in which Godzilla travels around the world to fight his old foes and his allies plus a new, mysterious monster named Monster X.It's absolutely insane but also ridiculous fun and funny too. If we're judging a movie on its ability to entertain, how is this one not considered quality? Look at all those callbacks to not only previous Godzilla movies but also other Toho films! What we have here is basically a remake of Destroy All Monsters but one that's actually a lot of fun to watch. This movie is what happens when Godzilla crosses paths with the Matrix, and it's definitely enjoyable.
- DirectorIshirô HondaStarsAkira TakaradaYuriko HoshiHiroshi KoizumiWhen opportunistic tycoons refuse to return Mothra's egg to Infant Island, its people must decide if they are willing to answer Japan's own pleas for help when Godzilla arises near Nagoya.The second monster crossover goes much better than the first as this movie provides plenty of entertainment. From the moment Mothra's giant egg shows up on shore, I'm pretty much dialed in to this. The only thing I don't really care for is the final showdown of the movie even though it's not terrible or anything. But it's crucial to understanding the mythos of Mothra as she is reborn through a new egg whenever near death. As long as an egg is in play, it appears Mothra's lineage never ends.
- DirectorIshirô HondaStarsYôsuke NatsukiYuriko HoshiHiroshi KoizumiA detective protects a princess who prophecies Earth's destruction by a powerful alien dragon, which Mothra and her fairies - aided by Godzilla and Rodan - must battle against.This movie is very entertaining to me. It's a great blend of science fiction and spy thriller with the subplot of the assassins trying to eliminate the princess whose body has been overtaken by an alien emissary. King Ghidorah is awesome and my favorite of all the monsters. I also love the way Mothra calls Godzilla and Rodan (who survived the lake of fire apparently) to unite against the greater threat. So this, the seventh kaiju movie in this shared universe, is the one in which Godzilla finally becomes heroic. I know I'm overrating this, but I enjoy it.
- DirectorJun FukudaStarsTadao TakashimaAkira KuboBibari MaedaA reporter stumbles upon weather experiments on a tropical island, discovering giant mantises, a castaway woman, and an infant monster that Godzilla must learn to raise as a son.Of all the Godzilla movies, this is one of the most well-balanced when it comes to human and monster intrigue. The story around the scientists trying to control the weather is really well done and creates a unique setting/situation that the monsters are forced to rival by having several different nemeses as well as Godzilla's son, Minya, who is not as annoying as you'd expect. I know I rate this much higher than most Godzilla fans, but it works for me.
- DirectorTakao OkawaraStarsTetsuya BesshoSatomi KobayashiTakehiro MurataJapan is caught in the middle of a three way battle between Godzilla, the divine Mothra, and her dark counterpart Battra.I think this is one of the most visually satisfying of all the Godzilla movies to this point. It's bright and colorful, and all the battles look really good, especially the fight in the ocean. The nighttime fight by the ferris wheel is one I have always remembered. Overall, though, it just feels like a remake of Mothra and Mothra vs. Godzilla combined into one film, and that would be fine with me if not for the random face turn by Battra at the climax. I don't like that and that we're expected to feel anything for Battra when it meets its demise.
- DirectorIshirô HondaJun FukudaStarsKatsuhiko SasakiTomoko AiAkihiko HirataAn Interpol investigation uncovers a shunned biologist and his daughter, who are involved in an alien plot to use Mechagodzilla and Titanosaurus to defeat Godzilla and wipe out humanity.Godzilla in a Greek tragedy is the best way to describe this one, and it works pretty well. They build a good story for the first time in a long time in this series, giving us some emotional attachment to the heroes and villains. The right people die, and there are plenty of them in this one, which is good to see after the previously campy 70s string of films. The final fight is definitive in that Godzilla disposes of not one but two foes. I think it's great that the King of the Monsters trailer uses the beautiful music from this movie.
- DirectorIshirô HondaStarsFurankî SakaiHiroshi KoizumiKyôko KagawaAn expedition to Infant Island uncovers a native tribe and twin tiny fairy priestesses of a mythical deity, who sets out to rescue the pair after they are kidnapped by a greedy businessman.I appreciate the unique character that is Mothra, but we do get the same notion that radiation is responsible for the creature's gigantic size. Like Rodan, there's no mention of Godzilla here, but the shared universe is coming within the next few years. The characters here are getting back to the same level of interesting as those in the original Godzilla. I especially like the reporter and all the tactics he employs to get his story. He's also incredibly heroic. The ending is a little underwhelming, but at least it's wildly different than the monster movies we've gotten before. It really serves to bolster the idea that, unlike Godzilla and Rodan at this point, Mothra has good intentions.
- DirectorMasaaki TezukaIshirô HondaStarsMisato TanakaShôsuke TaniharaMasatô IbuJapan creates an artificial black hole device to trap Godzilla forever, but a test of the device creates new foes for Godzilla, car-sized dragonflies called meganula and their queen, Megaguirus.I'm not sure why this one seems to get a bad rap among fans. Although the villain seems less than inspired, there are plenty of interesting elements like the flooded city and the plan to rid the world of Godzilla. The CGI is improved from the previous film, and the fight between the monsters is pretty solid, but the random still shots mess things up a bit. It might not be the most exciting entry, but there really isn't much wrong with it.
- DirectorMasaaki TezukaKazuki ÔmoriStarsYumiko ShakuShin TakumaKana OnoderaA new Godzilla causes the JSDF to construct a cyborg countermeasure from the original monster's remains. The beast's restless soul is discovered to inhabit the machine as the pilot must learn to find value in her own life.This movie is really all about the visuals. It's basically a remake of Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, and I like and dislike similar things about it; however, whereas Godzilla kind of becomes an antihero in that film, he's the enemy all the way through in this one, and I just don't enjoy that role for him when there's another monster threat. The human characters are interesting and have pretty cool backstories, but this movie is something of a letdown for me given the inconclusive ending. They tease so many deaths, and nobody dies. It's actually a solid film up until an underwhelming climax.
- DirectorMasaaki TezukaKoji HashimotoTakao OkawaraStarsNoboru KanekoMiho YoshiokaMickey KogaMothra and her fairies return to Japan to warn mankind that they must return Kiryu to the sea, for the dead must not be disturbed. However Godzilla has survived to menace Japan leaving Kiryu as the nation's only defense.I'm seeing something of a trend in the Millenium Godzilla series. They all start off with great visuals and cool concepts but fail to deliver at the climax. This one has the best depictions of Mothra ever in the opening, and I appreciate the callbacks to the original Mothra film, but this fails to live up to it when the movie opts for a retread of Mothra vs. Godzilla from 1964. I'm sure fans love seeing their favorites on the big screen all at once, but I need more or something different at least.
- DirectorTakao OkawaraIshirô HondaKoji HashimotoStarsTakurô TatsumiYôko IshinoYasufumi HayashiThe aftermath of the Oxygen Destroyer brings forth Destoroyah, a beast intent on killing Godzilla, who is on the verge of a nuclear meltdown.Despite being one of the highest rated Godzilla movies, I don't like this one. While the concept of Godzilla melting down is an interesting one to me, the villain simply is not. Sure, the ties to the oxygen destroyer are a nice callback, but the monster is overbooked and boring in my opinion. I don't like how they rip off Aliens with the second mouth bit either. The worst part of this movie, though, is the annoying college kid who can't pass his exams but somehow understands Godzilla and can coordinate attacks better than the scientists and military experts. The Heisei era starts off so strong but fumbles at the goal line with its last two entries.
- DirectorIshirô HondaJun FukudaStarsAkira KuboJun TazakiYukiko KobayashiIn 1999, a race of she-aliens, the Kilaaks, brainwash Earth's monsters into attacking major cities, prompting a team of astronauts to stop the invaders while the monsters battle Ghidorah.They open with a great premise here as all of Earth's monsters have been relocated to Monster Island to live in peace and remain under observation, but conquering aliens release them and use mind control to get them to attack various cities. Manda and Gorosaurus, which appear in other Toho films, cross over into the Godzilla universe here. This movie, unfortunately, isn't nearly as great as it should be as the monsters get limited screen time until a final battle that has been greatly overrated as all the monsters gang up on King Ghidorah and actually kill him! Instead of being an epic final chapter, this feels like a glorified remake of Invasion of Astro-Monster.