Godzilla Movies In Chronological Order & IMDB Scores
The Godzilla movie franchise has thrilled audiences worldwide for decades with its epic battles, incredible special effects, and sheer scale of destruction. From the original 1954 classic to the latest instalment in 2023, Godzilla's legacy continues to grow. Over the past several decades, the franchise has become a cultural icon in its own right - and not just in Japan - thanks to several English-speaking versions released since the early 2000s. So, if the past is evidence of the future, Godzilla will maintain a cultural following for generations to come.
Here’s a look at ten of the most notable Godzilla movies in chronological order, complete with their IMDB scores and a synopsis of what to expect from each film.
Godzilla (1954) (7.5)
The original Godzilla introduced the world to the King of Monsters in 1954. Directed by Ishirō Honda, Godzilla emerges from the ocean for the very first time as a prehistoric creature awakened by nuclear testing. Godzilla quickly rampages through Tokyo, leaving only death and rubble in its wake; the city's destruction comes to symbolise the horrors of nuclear war. The movie's groundbreaking special effects and powerful anti-war message make it a landmark in cinema history. This classic is where Godzilla became a cultural icon.
Mothra vs Godzilla (1964) (6.5)
Ishirō Honda's Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964) is another classic kaiju (giant monster) film in which the destructive Godzilla once again emerges from the sea, threatening Japan. As Godzilla wreaks havoc, a giant egg belonging to Mothra, a benevolent giant moth, washes ashore. Journalists Sakai (Akira Takarada) and Junko (Yuriko Hoshi) seek help from the tiny twin fairies of Infant Island to summon Mothra for aid. Mothra engages Godzilla in a fierce battle to protect humanity. With its dramatic monster clashes and themes of nature versus human interference, the film is a memorable entry in the Godzilla franchise, showcasing spectacular special effects (for its time) and an unforgettable storyline.
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) (6.5)
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964), directed by Ishirō Honda, introduces King Ghidorah, a mighty three-headed space dragon threatening Earth. Princess Salno (Akiko Wakabayashi), possessed by a Martian spirit, warns of Ghidorah's arrival, but he still can't be stopped.
Meanwhile, Godzilla, Rodan, and Mothra are embroiled in their own conflicts when Mothra recognises the threat and convinces Godzilla and Rodan to unite against the greater threat of Ghidorah. The climactic battle sees the three monsters joining forces to drive Ghidorah away. This film marks the first of many epic battles between Godzilla and King Ghidorah, setting the stage for two dozen future monster showdowns.
Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) (6.5)
Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) follows Godzilla's battle against Biollante, a monstrous plant creature born from the combination of a scientist's daughter's cells, Godzilla's cells, and a rose. Dr. Shiragami (Kōji Takahashi) creates the Biollante in an attempt to preserve his daughter's spirit, but the experiment results in a fearsome new kaiju.
As Godzilla rampages through Japan, the military and scientists struggle to find a way to stop him - until Biollante emerges from a lake, leading to an epic showdown with Godzilla. This film was praised for its innovative special effects and complex storyline, and for exploring themes of genetic engineering and the unintended consequences of tampering with nature.
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) (6.5)
Kazuki Ōmori’s Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) features the second intense showdown between Godzilla and his arch-nemesis, King Ghidorah. The story kicks off when time travellers from the future arrive in Japan, warning of Godzilla's impending destruction. They propose a plan to prevent Godzilla's creation by removing a dinosaur from World War II, but they secretly replace it with three genetically engineered creatures that evolve into King Ghidorah. When King Ghidorah begins wreaking havoc, Godzilla returns, leading to a titanic battle between the two monsters.
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) (6.9)
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), directed by Takao Okawara, pits Godzilla against yet another formidable foe: Destoroyah. The story follows Godzilla as he experiences a meltdown due to his unstable nuclear heart, which threatens to destroy Earth. Meanwhile, scientists discover Destoroyah, a creature born from the same Oxygen Destroyer that killed the original Godzilla in 1954. Destoroyah evolves into increasingly powerful forms, leading to a final, catastrophic showdown with Godzilla. As Godzilla's condition worsens, his son, Godzilla Junior, also becomes involved in the battle. This instalment is notable within the Godzilla franchise for its emotional depth and for exploring themes of legacy and the destructive potential of nuclear energy.
Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001) (7.0)
This more recent Godzilla epic, directed by Shusuke Kaneko, features yet another thrilling monster mash-up in which Godzilla returns, possessed by vengeful spirits of World War II victims, to wreak havoc on Japan. Three guardian monsters awaken to combat this supernatural threat: Mothra, King Ghidorah, and Baragon.
The story follows the intense battles between Godzilla and these guardians, culminating in another spectacular monster showdown. Renowned for its darker tone and more modern CGI special effects, it's a standout entry in the Godzilla series, celebrated for its engaging storyline and epic kaiju battles.
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002) (6.6)
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002) introduces a new character to the franchise: a powerful mechanised monster known as Kiryu, created using the bones of the original 1954 Godzilla. Lieutenant Akane Yashiro (Yumiko Shaku) pilots Kiryu, which is equipped with advanced weaponry designed to defend against the classical kaiju menace: Godzilla.
However, during Kiryu’s first action-packed encounter with his nemesis, Godzilla’s presence causes Kiryu’s internal systems to go haywire, which leads to destructive unintended consequences. The film builds to an intense showdown as Akane and Kiryu must stop Godzilla to save Japan.
Shin Godzilla (2016) (6.8)
Shin Godzilla (2016), directed by Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, reimagines the Godzilla origin story for a new generation. In a nod to the classic instalments of the franchise, the movie opens as an unknown creature emerges from Tokyo Bay, quickly evolving into the monstrous Godzilla. Much like all those that came before it, this Godzilla causes unprecedented destruction in Japan's capital city.
The Japanese government, overwhelmed and unprepared, scrambles to respond as Godzilla continues to mutate and grow more powerful. Unlike others in the franchise, this film focuses more on the bureaucratic and scientific efforts to stop Godzilla, led by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Rando Yaguchi (Hiroki Hasegawa) and biologist Kayoko Ann Patterson (Satomi Ishihara). Renowned for its realistic portrayal of governmental crisis management and fresh take on the iconic kaiju, Shin Godzilla is celebrated for its sharp social commentary and impressive visual effects.
Godzilla Minus One (2023) (8.0)
In Godzilla Minus One (2023), the latest instalment in the series, Godzilla returns to Japan as the country tries to rebuild itself after World War II. We follow a kamikaze pilot called Kōichi, who fled from his mission by falsely claiming his plane suffered from technical issues. But that night, Godzilla rises from the deep, and Kōichi must face a peril worse than that from which he fled.
The film's high IMDB score reflects its compelling narrative and impressive special effects, which earned the Godzilla franchise its first-ever Oscar - for best special effects!
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