I just adore the original Shōwa-era Godzilla films! They’re so wonderfully silly and fun, and I find myself coming back to them again and again. There’s just a special charm to those ’60s and ’70s movies that even the later films haven’t quite captured. Honestly, when I think of a Godzilla movie, it’s always one of those classics that pops into my head – and I bet a lot of other people feel the same way, even if they aren’t huge fans. It’s funny, because a lot of people probably picture Godzilla battling in space, but out of all the films made over the last 70 years and 30+ movies, only one actually took him there, and it happened pretty early on in the series!
The film features Planet X, a newly discovered world beyond Jupiter. This planet is inhabited by aliens who live underground and are dressed in outfits that seem straight out of 1960s science fiction. Circling the planet is King Ghidorah, known to the aliens as “Monster Zero.”
What Makes Invasion of Astro-Monster Such an All-Timer of a Godzilla Movie?
The Shōwa era of these films can be broken down into several distinct phases. These include the original black and white movies, their high-quality sequels, the lighter, jungle-based adventures, and a final set of five films often considered over-the-top. Most fans agree that the jungle movies are the least popular.
Before the series shifted to jungle settings, Invasion of Astro-Monster stands out as a highly enjoyable and rewatchable sci-fi film from the 1960s, if you connect with its style. The film effectively builds the mystery around the Xiliens, and their eventual betrayal is a genuinely impactful moment. Plus, the romantic connection between Nick Adams’ character, Glenn, and Kumi Mizuno’s Namikawa is the most endearing in the whole series.
This movie is essentially a remake of Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster, but without Mothra. Although that might seem unoriginal, it actually works really well. The story is fresh enough that it doesn’t matter that it again features Godzilla, Rodan, and King Ghidorah causing destruction.
This movie once again proved that Toho was unmatched when it came to revealing their monsters. The first glimpse of Godzilla rising over a mountain in Gojira was fantastic. Seeing him burst from an iceberg in King Kong vs. Godzilla cleverly connected the stories. But the way he emerged from a gravel pit after radiation was detected in Mothra vs. Godzilla was arguably the most iconic monster reveal in the entire series.
However, Invasion of Astro-Monster comes close to matching Mothra vs. Godzilla in how it introduces its monsters. Early on, the alien Xiliens secretly send three spaceships to Earth. Two of these ships capture Godzilla from a lake and Rodan from a mountainside. This isn’t just a dramatic monster reveal; it actively moves the story forward.
You can currently watch this Godzilla movie for free on Tubi! It’s a great entry point for fans, and it’s joined by other films from the same era: Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (which comes right after Astro-Monster), All Monsters Attack (though it’s okay to skip that one), and Terror of Mechagodzilla, the last film in the series.
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2026-01-22 18:18