THE Definitive Godzilla Watch List
For the Uninitiated and/or Godzilla-Curious
Since I’ve been doing my show “Godzilla’s Not a Dinosaur,” I’ve had a few people ask which movies they should watch to get acquainted with the franchise.
So here we are!
Before we get too far, it’s important to note this is not a ranking of which movies I enjoyed the most, and it’s not about quality. I think watching these movies in this order will give you the best introduction to the franchise and its history.
Also, I’ve watched every movie and there are several other movies I love, but did not put on this list. There are also some movies that are just…not worth watching if you don’t have the nostalgia and you’re not doing in-depth research for a one-person Fringe show 😜
Top 10 Godzilla Movies For the Semi-Casual Viewer
1. Godzilla Minus One
Listen, if you’re brand new to the Godzilla franchise, I personally think this is the best movie to start with. Don’t let anyone shame you about it! It’s a modern take on the classic movie that’s true to the history of the kaiju and has mind-blowing special effects. It’s the first Godzilla movie to win an Oscar! It’s fun-scary, the pacing is great, and you’ll have a good time.
2. Gojira 1954
After you’ve seen the modern one, get back to roots with the original movie. See where it all started. It’s an older film, so the pacing is slower, but it’s still very good. For a fun double header, you could pair it with Godzilla King of Monsters (1956) to see how the U.S. butchered it later.
3. Godzilla 1998
I’m including this one early on the list because I think it’s important, now that you have a foundation of the origins of Godzilla, that you see how bad Tristar did with making a “Godzilla” film. However, I still think it’s a fun campy sci-fi movie. Fans of Jurassic Park will love it.
4. Godzilla 2000: Millenium
I’m putting this back to back with the 1998 film so you can see just how hard Toho clapped back at the Tristar ‘Zilla. This movie is top-tier late 90s/early 2000s special effects. I have a feeling this might be my favorite Godzilla film. But that feeling might be because it’s the one I’ve rewatched most recently and I was a little high. Honestly though, it’s so good. It also has one of my favorite quotes: “Godzilla is inside each one of us.”
People often get the 1998 movie and this movie confused because the turn of the millennium came upon us in fever dream haze. But they are DIFFERENT.
5. Godzilla 2014
Now, you’re ready for this one. Get ready to watch the new U.S. film come correct. This was actually the first Godzilla film I watched. And the beginning is so utterly sad, it wrecked me to be honest. Legendary Studios hits all the notes for the terror of Godzilla and the danger of nuclear reactors. Plus, they tie it to the original 1954 kaiju, unlike Tristar, who just made it some random iguana from French Polynesia…
Hydrate Check
If you are satisfied with your Godzilla experience at this point, you can stop watching the movies here or go on to choose your own adventure from any of the ~40 movies available.
If you want more guidance, and more of the movies that inspired my show “Godzilla’s Not a Dinosaur,” grab some popcorn and keep watching following the second half of this list:
6. Terror of Mechagodzilla
This is also one of my favorite Godzilla movies. I’m including it in the list so you can see the depths the Toho franchise stooped to in the late 70s, but still have campy fun. The plot is buck wild.
Hot take, but I prefer this to the original introduction of Mechagodzilla. Plus this film basically recaps the previous fight in the opening credits. It’s also the first Godzilla screenplay written by a woman!
However, I will say, I love in the original Mechagodzilla movie for the fact that Mechagodzilla is done up to look like Godzilla at first. It’s only in the fight with the real Godzilla that its mechanical nature is revealed. Cinematic chef’s kiss.
7. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
This 2003 film is a badass movie about a different woman controlling Mechagodzilla, but on her own terms this time. For me, it’s definitely worth watching and comparing to the Terror of Mechagodzilla to see how far the depiction of women had come in these movies. The ending is epic.
You can watch the 2002 Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla right before it for context on the plot and a fun doubleheader.
8. Godzilla vs King Ghidorah (1991)
This is just a good classic Godzilla movie. Plus, I couldn’t have a list that didn’t have a Ghidorah movie in it. It’s goofy and involves time travel with the goal of trying to create a world where Godzilla never existed. Spoiler Alert: They can’t. Godzilla is inevitable 😎
9. Godzilla vs Kong
The 2021 from Legendary Studios, because “big monster fights big monster” is done very well in this movie. Plus there’s a fun twist on Mechagodzilla that’s unlike the other movies but still pays homage to the old-school ones. You’ll notice how it calls back if you watch the movies I recommended earlier on this list.
10. Shin Godzilla (but honestly, only if you feel like it.)
Film bros love this movie. Be warned, the kaiju is very gross at first and that’s why I’ve only watched this movie once. It’s a one-off, it’s the weirdest version of Godzilla by far, and it’s a solid “Fuck you!” to the Japanese government instead of the U.S. for once. It was put into production not long after the 2014 U.S. film released, and while not a direct response I do think the timing and differences in portrayal are interesting to think about.
Truly, Shin is the redheaded stepchild of the franchise if you look at the totality of the Godzilla films. However, it’s one of the most financially successful movies in the Japanese franchise. In fact, the second most. It’s right behind Godzilla Minus One.
If you don’t want to watch Shin Godzilla, I would recommend any of my honorable mentions in its place:
Honorable Mentions
(in no particular order)
Godzilla Raids Again
Godzilla vs Mothra
Godzilla vs Biollante
Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla
So there you have it folks! I tried to narrow it down and, yet, included almost half the franchise in here somehow. I hope you found this helpful. Happy watching 🍿 If you’re so inclined, let me know your fave movie in the comments!
Where You Can Find Me Next
For my Kansas City pals: I’ll be bringing Godzilla’s Not a Dinosaur revamped and fully-loaded to the MTH theater in Crown Center as part of KC Fringe in July!
I’m also headed to Omaha and St. Louis later this summer.