10 Best Godzilla Films of all Time - Ranked
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Since the creature’s 1954 debut, Godzilla has starred in 33 Japanese films and five American films - 38 in total.
All of them are necessary watches. However, if you lack the time, here are the ten best to squeeze in ahead of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’s cinematic release on March 29.
Any questions? Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire - director answers all.
Sony Pictures
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
The first American-produced take on Godzilla was critically panned, but director Roland Emmerich threw a whopping 125 million USD at the screen and it shows. Godzilla looks more imposing than ever in low shots as it stomps through downtown New York, there’s a dramatic helicopter chase between buildings, and even a stadium infested by thousands of baby Godzillas. Sublime nonsense.
Warner Bros.
Where to watch: Netflix
Bold, brash, and bonkers. Godzilla vs. Kong is the first time in modern history the lizard and ape meet on American screens, and predictably, the CGI action is ridiculous. The final battle literally has Godzilla charging Kong's axe with atomic breath to take on Mechagodzilla.
Toho
Where to watch: Apple TV+
This late-’60s action spectacular is one giant melee as a dozen monsters come together for the mother of all punch-ups. It’s got a larger cast of monsters than any previous movie in the series thus far, only slightly undermined by the conspicuous absence of a certain giant ape. Oh well, at least you can watch Godzilla Jr. battle a giant mutated spider.
Warner Bros.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
The first American-produced Godzilla film since 1998's misstep builds fear and intrigue by not showing the monster for an age. Bryan Cranston's character brings weight to the drama in the meantime, with director Gareth Edwards successfully planting seeds for the MonsterVerse to come.
Toho
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Any Godzilla fan needs to see where it all started. If the ‘60s movies started a swerve into silliness and slapstick, the first film established Godzilla’s tragic origins as the result of atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Dark, sobering and at times moving.
Toho
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Godzilla might be fighting a returning ‘70s Kaiju icon as Mechagodzilla rears its head after 20 years, but this film is best-known for introducing the cutest member of the Toho roster, Godzilla Jr, who ended up as being a fairly major character in subsequent sequels despite looking like a theme park mascot (or maybe because of it).
Warner Bros.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
While Godzilla reigns supreme in this big, loud Warner Bros. blockbuster, we also get our first American introductions of King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Rodan, looking better than ever with lavish VFX work. A MonsterVerse saga must-watch before Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Toho
Where to watch: Apple TV+
The first clash between ape and lizard, but only the third appearance by either Titan; hey, filmmakers knew what audiences wanted. It’s hard to argue the film is good by today’s standards, but if anything, it gives you a greater appreciation of today’s stuff.
Toho
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
In the wake of 2011’s Fukashima nuclear incident, this more grounded take on Godzilla aims to depict how a Titan disaster would likely go down these days. Along with the usual shots of panicked civilians, we also get exposed to high-level backrooms where political bureaucrats argue the best course of action.
Where to watch: theatres
The best-reviewed Godzilla film ever has a dual 98% Rotten Tomatoes rating for both critic and audience score - and for good reason. This post-World War 2 blockbuster is an intense and spectacular take on Godzilla as an unrelenting force of nature, with Oscar-shortlisted VFX work defying a modest budget.
