5 Mothra Vs. Godzilla
1964, 88 Minutes
After the success of Toho’s Mothra in 1961, it wouldn’t be long until the company would pair its two most popular kaiju. What would follow would be 1964s Mothra Vs. Godzilla, and it would become one of the most celebrated entries in the Godzilla series.
While the two previous sequels, Godzilla Raids Again and King Kong Vs. Godzilla, were successful, it wouldn’t be until Mothra Vs. Godzilla that the identity of the franchise would become clear. Mothra Vs. Godzilla defined an iconic look, recognizable as a Showa Era film, and a high watermark for all subsequent entries to aspire to.
7 Invasion Of The Astro-Monster
1965, 94 Minutes
One of the highlights of the classic Showa Era, 1965s Invasion Of The Astro-Monster is Godzilla at its best. Astro-Monster features a giant battle between Godzilla, Rodan, and King Ghidorah and a cosmic plot focused on Earth’s alien invasion. Astro-Monster is a fun-filled adventure that would define the tone of the series for the rest of the decade.
While a far cry from the grim tone of the original Godzilla,Astro-Monster has cemented its place in history as a bizarre, yet highly enjoyable film. Seeing Godzilla perform a victorious highland fling atop an alien planet is a sight that few can forget, and has become an iconic moment in the character’s history.
9 Godzilla
2014, 123 Minutes
Legendary Pictures’ first entry into their MonsterVerse series of films would surprise both critics and audiences with its ability to capture the essence of Godzilla. 1998’s Godzilla had proved to be a disastrous attempt at producing an American-made Godzilla film. But director Gareth Edwards proved skeptics wrong with this 2014 reimagining.
Godzilla (2014) featured a brilliant cast that included Bryan Cranston, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and a more serious tone than its predecessor. This Godzilla felt far more respectful to the legacy of its Japanese source material, while also serving as a brilliant film in its own right.
