As a huge fan of giant monster movies, let me tell you, Toho is the king – they still are! They’re famous for basically creating the whole kaiju subgenre, and it all comes down to Godzilla. Now, they made a lot more than just Godzilla films, but Gojira was the one that really launched everything back in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s – their golden age. Even though some of their other monster movies were great, they didn’t usually get their own series. More often than not, those creatures ended up crossing over and battling Godzilla in his films.
Here are five of the most enjoyable Toho films from the same era as Godzilla, excluding Godzilla himself. They’re a blast to watch and have a playful energy that still inspires the modern Monsterverse movies.
5) King Kong Escapes
I know some people question why King Kong Escapes is included, especially when films like Atragon and The Mysterians have their fans. But honestly, Atragon can feel a bit sluggish, and The Mysterians sometimes prioritizes silliness over genuine tension. That’s why I think King Kong Escapes deserves its place!
Despite its silliness, King Kong Escapes is a lot of fun. It features memorable characters like the smirking Dr. Who, a robot King Kong, and a lengthy sequence of Kong tunneling through diamonds. Importantly, this Japanese take on the classic story understands what made the original 1933 King Kong so compelling – including a battle with a dinosaur and Kong’s touching connection with a woman who eventually overcomes her fear of him. It’s a great standalone sequel to King Kong vs. Godzilla.
4) The War of the Gargantuas
Many famous filmmakers, like Tim Burton, Brad Pitt, Guillermo del Toro, and Quentin Tarantino, are fans of The War of the Gargantuas. It’s a fun monster movie about two giant brothers – colossal creatures who fight each other and can destroy entire buildings – making their rivalry the central focus.
One improvement Gargantuas makes over the previous film is its speed. It’s a fast-paced movie, which makes it enjoyable to watch again if you like that style.
Stream The War of the Gargantuas on HBO Max.
3) Frankenstein Conquers the World
While The War of the Gargantuas is strange, Frankenstein Conquers the World is even more unusual. The film’s premise – Frankenstein’s monster’s heart growing into a giant man after the Hiroshima bombing – is completely outlandish from the very beginning, making it a truly bizarre experience.
As a huge fan of Japanese cinema, I always say that Frankenstein Conquers the World isn’t just a fun, late-night movie experience. It also boasts a really fantastic fight sequence towards the end – one of the best in a Toho film that isn’t a Godzilla movie. And honestly, Baragon really gets his moment to shine here; he’s always been a seriously underrated monster!
Stream Frankenstein Conquers the World on The Criterion Channel.
2) Mothra
Before appearing alongside Godzilla in one of his classic films, Mothra first starred in her own movie. And it’s widely considered the most thought-provoking of all the giant monster films.
This film does almost everything that made Mothra vs. Godzilla so great. While the later movie has higher stakes and arguably the most impressive Godzilla design, this one established the groundwork for its success.
Stream Mothra on FlixFling.
1) Rodan
Similar to Gojira, Toho’s Rodan (their third monster movie after the first two Godzilla films) is surprisingly scary, considering it features an actor in a large rubber suit. This feeling of dread mostly comes from how the story unfolds and its quick pace.
The film begins with a puzzling disappearance of several young people, quickly revealed to be caused by giant insects. This leads to the discovery of a massive egg in a mine, which hatches Rodan. Rodan is arguably the best Toho monster movie outside of the Godzilla series because it immediately grabs your attention with its mystery, and then delivers even more excitement with its spectacular city-destruction scenes – almost as impressive as the rampage in Gojira. The added emotional weight of a second Rodan witnessing its partner’s death makes this a truly memorable monster movie.
Stream Rodan on HBO Max.
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2025-11-22 18:42