The American Kaiju Movie That’s “One of the Best Godzilla Films Yet” Lands New Streaming Home

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America loves Godzilla, but often struggles to capture the character’s essence like Japan does, as recent films like Godzilla Minus One (2023) and Shin Godzilla (2016) prove. While many US attempts haven’t quite hit the mark with longtime fans, Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla (2014) is often considered the best American take on the monster – despite its flaws. It’s a better choice than films like Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, or the widely disliked 1998 version, and now it’s becoming available on a new streaming platform.

The 2014 film Godzilla, directed by Gareth Edwards (known for Rogue One and The Creator), is coming to Netflix on December 1st. While not flawless, the movie showcases Edwards’ impressive skills in visual effects and cinematography. It features a strong cast including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Sally Hawkins, Juliette Binoche, and Ken Watanabe, and was written by Dave Callaham and Max Borenstein. Get ready for Godzilla to unleash chaos and destruction!

Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla film differs from more recent American Godzilla movies by prioritizing the human story, sometimes making Godzilla himself feel like a secondary character. This led to some criticism at the time, with many viewers wanting to see more of the monster. However, the film has become popular with audiences, currently holding a 66% user rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One user praised it as “one of the best Godzilla films yet,” appreciating its serious tone rather than relying on simple fights and humor. While the audience score is good, it’s still slightly lower than the 76% rating from professional critics. Here’s the official description of the film:

Ford Brody, a Navy explosives expert, reconnects with his family in San Francisco, but quickly finds himself traveling to Japan to assist his distant father, Joe. They soon become entangled in a massive crisis when Godzilla emerges from the ocean to fight other dangerous creatures that could destroy humankind. As these monsters clash, they cause widespread devastation, ultimately heading towards a final showdown in San Francisco.

What’s Next for the ‘Godzilla’ Franchise?


Warner Bros.

I was so excited when Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla came out and made over $520 million worldwide – it really kicked off this huge franchise for Warner Bros.! Honestly, while the later movies like Kong: Skull Island, King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs. Kong, and now Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (released in 2024) haven’t been quite as good, they still bring in a ton of money, which is pretty amazing.

The latest installment, The New Empire, earned $572 million globally, and unsurprisingly, another sequel is already being planned. Currently called Godzilla x King: Supernova, the film will be directed by Grant Sputore and is scheduled for release in theaters on March 26, 2027, but that date could shift.

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2025-11-26 20:53