All 15 Godzilla Movies From the Shōwa Era Ranked

by

One source of joy during my childhood was the Godzilla series, though it wasn’t always easy to track down these films on VHS tapes. In fact, finding them became somewhat of a quest, which became slightly less challenging for a brief period in 1998 when Roland Emmerich’s film was released. However, locating specific titles like Godzilla Raids Again and Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster, also known as Godzilla vs. Hedorah, proved to be a real challenge. Whenever I was in trouble, my parents would hide these VHS tapes in the attic. Fast forward 20-odd years, and most of those hard-to-find films are now available on HBO Max for easy viewing. Remarkably, even with so many of them now accessible (from both the Shōwa and Heisei periods), a great deal of charm remains in these classic movies.

Today, we aim to evaluate and compare fifteen films released from 1954 to 1975. As a connoisseur of these movies, you might have your favorites – the best and the not-so-great. However, let’s delve into the nuances that lie between these extremes. Which ones stand out in their merits and which ones fall slightly short? Let’s find out together!

15) All Monsters Attack

The parade depicted in this stock footage is often considered the lowest point of the Shōwa era due to its child-oriented focus and inferior quality compared to other films within the franchise. Even the decent footage seems to have originated from better movies. Unfortunately, all the new footage is painfully unappealing, making “Son of Godzilla” appear as a masterpiece in Kaiju cinema.

14) Godzilla Raids Again

Godzilla Strikes Back Again seems hastily made, a feeling that’s hard to shake off. The romantic subplot for one character in the final act, though intriguing, exposes a weakness. All the interesting aspects in Godzilla Strikes Back Again are brushed over. Instead, it focuses on lengthy dialogues and scenes that feel bloated, with what might be the most disappointing Kaiju battle in the series’ history.

Certainly, in this movie, which was just their second production, there was potential for a more engaging scene between Godzilla and Anguirus than simply standing next to each other and thrashing about. There’s a certain appeal since it’s one of the few black-and-white films, like Gojira, giving it a nostalgic feel reminiscent of the original. However, overall, the movie is quite disorganized and confusing.

13) Godzilla vs. Megalon

Thanks to Mystery Science Theater 3000, Godzilla vs. Megalon was the first G-film that many fans (and even those not particularly fond of Godzilla) encountered. If someone watched that specific episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 but didn’t delve deeper into the Godzilla franchise, it would be perfectly reasonable.

In simpler terms, the movie “Godzilla vs. Megalon” is just too absurd, even without the added humor from robots commentating. A character with an excessive amount of chest hair under a low-quality costume yells “Megalon,” there’s a dull storyline, and a giant robot performing karate moves. As a child, I didn’t find myself wanting to watch it again and again.

12) Son of Godzilla

In a jungle-themed series featuring Godzilla, the second film was titled “Son of Godzilla.” The first movie in this trilogy was called “Ebirah, Horror of the Deep,”, followed by “All Monsters Attack“. Sadly, the tone of “Son of Godzilla “leaned more towards “All Monsters Attack” rather than “Ebirah“.

For the first time, the franchise consciously aimed its content more towards children rather than adults. Although it’s not quite like “All Monsters Attack,” there are moments that might make one cringe. Moreover, the scientists and their weather-manipulation system lack excitement to keep kids engaged, making it questionable as a successful kid’s movie. However, I must admit, the characters Kimacuras and Kumonga are somewhat intriguing.

11) Destroy All Monsters

It’s quite possible that among Godzilla’s Shōwa era films, “Destroy All Monsters” stands out as one that might not live up to the hype. As suggested by the poster, it does deliver a grand monster battle, but only to a modest extent. The problem lies in its familiarity. For instance, the movie features 10 monsters joining forces against a single foe, King Ghidorah. However, by this stage of the series, we had already encountered Ghidorah on two previous occasions: first in “Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster” and then in “Invasion of Astro-Monster“. This repetition makes the movie feel somewhat predictable and less exciting compared to the freshness offered by earlier films.

Initially, he encountered Godzilla, Mothra, and Rodan simultaneously and suffered defeat. On a subsequent occasion, he faced only Godzilla and Rodan again, ending in another loss. However, if he were to battle almost all Toho monsters at once, it seems as though the situation lacks tension. The alien invasion theme also appears tiresome, considering its superior execution in Astro-Monster and the promise of a more impressive portrayal in Godzilla vs. Gigan, which would occur three films later.

10) Godzilla vs. Hedorah

It’s essential to incorporate Hedorah into the Monsterverse eventually, given his captivating nature that goes beyond being a standalone character (except for his brief appearance in Godzilla: Final Wars). Moreover, Hedorah remains as relevant today as he was back in the ’70s.

As a cinephile, I’ve got to give a nod to the mind-bending, intriguing flick, “Godzilla vs. Hedorah.” After the setback of “All Monsters Attack,” this film certainly took the IP in an unexpected direction to keep viewers hooked. The trippy, surreal scenes it offers are unlike anything I’ve seen before!

However, the human characters in this movie are a bit dull and make questionable choices that leave you scratching your head (who in their right mind would throw a party on top of a mountain where Hedorah is known to appear?). But fear not, the monster action more than makes up for it! It’s a wild ride you won’t want to miss.

9) Ebirah, Horror of the Deep

In contrast to the excessively praised “Destroy All Monsters,” the film “Ebirah, Horror of the Deep” is often overlooked. This is due to its frequent association with lesser-quality films such as “Son of Godzilla” and “All Monsters Attack.” However, it stands out more than usual because of its island atmosphere.

The movie is more believable and serious in nature, considering it’s about slavery. Additionally, Ebirah, the thoughtfully designed monster, adds to its appeal. Although fighting a giant lobster might seem less dramatic compared to battling a three-headed, electric space dragon, Godzilla still makes it work effectively.

8) Terror of Mechagodzilla

Titanosaurus isn’t as well-known among Toho Kaiju as some others, but “Terror of Mechagodzilla” is a bit less impressive than “Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.” Interestingly, though, “Terror of Mechagodzilla” was the one where Mechagodzilla attacked Tokyo, which wasn’t depicted in the previous film.

Yet, despite Recycling King Ghidorah proving effective, reusing Mechagodzilla in the next film seems excessive, almost repetitive, leading to a sense of redundancy overall. The conclusion of this era, while entertaining, lacked the necessary impact.

7) Godzilla vs. Gigan

In an unusual twist, the film “Godzilla vs. Gigan” faced some criticism for its eccentricity. However, considering the offbeat nature of the franchise, it’s no surprise that they managed to conceive alien cockroaches launching a Kaiju-themed amusement park! This movie was also the first to present Gigan, a cyborg bird with a chainsaw for a belly, which stands among the most creative Kaiju designs. Like Mechagodzilla in subsequent films, Gigan emerges as a formidable adversary for Godzilla, posing a genuine threat.

6) Invasion of Astro-Monster

The movie titled “Invasion of Astro-Monster” skillfully overcomes the issue that plagued “Terror of Mechagodzilla”. While it reintroduces the antagonist from the prior film, the storyline is entirely distinct. In this instance, a group of quirky aliens offering a cancer cure to humanity, who inevitably betray humankind, is more engaging than the prophet with amnesia narrative of the previous movie. However, the battle finale between monsters in the earlier film was more impactful compared to this one.

In much the same vein as the preceding films, boasting impressive monster debut scenes, this one follows suit by depicting the aliens capturing Rodan from a mountain and Godzilla from a lake with their spaceships.

5) King Kong vs. Godzilla

In contrast, there are two distinct takes on the film “King Kong vs. Godzilla“, however, contrary to the persisting legend of separate winners in their battle, there’s only one definitive outcome. Both versions are enjoyable to watch, but as could be anticipated, the Japanese version offers a superior experience.

The Godzilla series is currently finding its stride, and while Godzilla Raids Again was decent, Mothra vs. Godzilla comes much closer to hitting a home run. Additionally, it’s the funniest film of the era. Interestingly enough, it was Mothra vs. Godzilla that truly established the franchise as an enduring classic with plenty of opportunities for further development.

4) Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

The movie “Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla” was fantastic during the Shōwa period. The intrigue about the aliens is engaging, and it’s exciting to see the heroes figure things out. Mechagodzilla has an awesome design, and it seemed like Godzilla’s most formidable opponent yet. When they first met, Godzilla almost didn’t make it!

Discussing his doppelganger, it’s clever how Mechagodzilla initially poses as Godzilla. To make matters worse, the scene where he shatters Anguirus’ jaw (a gruesome sight rarely seen in this series) is truly heart-wrenching. While Mechagodzilla could have benefited from more screen time and King Caesar seems over-the-top, overall, it’s a well-executed plotline.

3) Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster

King Ghidorah ranks high among Toho’s Kaiju, second only to Godzilla, and his debut in “Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster” is an iconic moment from the Showa era (Rodan’s entrance is also quite impressive). While the plot involving amnesia and espionage might seem a bit silly, it has a charming, whimsical quality to it.

Instead, it can be rephrased as: Ghidorah boasts one of the most thrilling monster-on-monster battles in the Godzilla franchise. This film is also a significant addition to the series, where we witness Godzilla’s transformation from adversary to hero, developing a character arc (luckily, he was seldom as comical as Gamera).

2) Mothra vs. Godzilla

In one perspective, “Mothra vs. Godzilla” is an outstanding monster film, but it’s important to note that the Kaiju aren’t the most despicable entities in this tale. That title belongs to the ruthless duo of industrial magnates. Intriguingly, the characters’ battle against these tycoons manages to grip the audience’s attention long before Godzilla emerges from Kurata beach, offering what is arguably the most captivating monster debut across the entire franchise.

Additionally, I believe this version of Godzilla’s design is unsurpassed so far, and the battles against grown-up Mothra and the two Mothra larvae are outstanding. If not for the original, this could be considered the finest in the Shōwa era.

1) Godzilla

Pay attention to the title “Gojira“, as it represents the authentic and original version of this movie. While I hold great respect for Raymond Burr, I must admit that his scenes in “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” seem unnecessary.

Viewing Ishirō Honda’s nuclear war allegory, the original Godzilla, provides a complete understanding of its masterfully crafted pacing and at times, stark grimness. This initial Godzilla film stands unrivaled among its sequels, remaining the best representation of the series.

The entirety of the Shōwa period’s content can be streamed on HBO Max, except for “King Kong vs. Godzilla”. Nevertheless, this movie is part of the Criterion Collection box set.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/summer-movies-hbo-max-speed-the-meg-bullet-train/embed/#

Read More

2025-08-06 01:13