Godzilla Movies - Watch Order: Essential Classics

1954 - 19748 Films12h 8m4.1 Average

This watch list contains the most important and acclaimed Godzilla films from the classic Showa Era. The curated selection includes the 1954 original that established Godzilla as cinema's king of monsters, plus the most beloved kaiju battles that defined the series' golden age.

These eight films feature the introduction of legendary monsters like King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Mechagodzilla while capturing the franchise's shift from horror to heroic defender. Great for newcomers who want to understand why Godzilla became a global phenomenon without the commitment of watching the entire Showa Era.

1
Godzilla poster

Godzilla

19541h 36m4.6
Director: Ishirō Honda
Cast: Akira Takarada, Momoko Kôchi, Akihiko Hirata, Takashi Shimura, Fuyuki Murakami

Japan is thrown into a panic after several ships are sunk near Odo Island. An expedition to the island led by Dr. Kyohei Yamane soon discover something far more devastating than imagined in the form of a 50 meter tall monster whom the natives call Gojira. Now the monster begins a rampage that threatens to destroy not only Japan, but the rest of the world as well.

ThrillerHorrorScience Fiction
2
King Kong vs. Godzilla poster

King Kong vs. Godzilla

19621h 37m4
Director: Ishirō Honda
Cast: Tadao Takashima, Kenji Sahara, Yū Fujiki, Ichirō Arishima, Jun Tazaki

The advertising director of Pacific Pharmaceuticals, frustrated with the low ratings of their sponsored TV program, seeks a more sensationalist approach. He orders his staff to Faro Island to capture King Kong for exploitation. As Godzilla re-emerges, a media frenzy generates with Pacific looking to capitalize off of the ultimate battle.

Science FictionComedyAdventureFantasyAction
3
Mothra vs. Godzilla poster

Mothra vs. Godzilla

19641h 29m4.1
Director: Ishirō Honda
Cast: Akira Takarada, Yuriko Hoshi, Hiroshi Koizumi, Yū Fujiki, Kenji Sahara

Journalists Ichiro Sakai and Junko cover the wreckage of a typhoon when an enormous egg is found and claimed by greedy entrepreneurs. Mothra's fairies arrive and are aided by the journalists in a plea for its return. As their requests are denied, Godzilla arises near Nagoya and the people of Infant Island must decide if they are willing to answer Japan's own pleas for help.

DramaActionScience Fiction
4
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster poster

Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster

19641h 32m4
Director: Ishirō Honda
Cast: Yōsuke Natsuki, Yuriko Hoshi, Hiroshi Koizumi, Takashi Shimura, Emi Ito

After a meteorite unleashes a three-headed beast upon Tokyo, Mothra tries to unite with Godzilla and Rodan to battle the extraterrestrial threat.

Science FictionActionFantasyThriller
5
Invasion of Astro-Monster poster

Invasion of Astro-Monster

19651h 36m3.9
Director: Ishirō Honda
Cast: Nick Adams, Akira Takarada, Keiko Sawai, Kumi Mizuno, Jun Tazaki

Astronauts Glenn and Fuji investigate Planet X and encounter mysterious aliens known as the Xiliens, who ask Earth's people to help save their world from "Monster Zero". In exchange for borrowing Godzilla and Rodan, the Xiliens offer a cure for cancer. As Glenn investigates, he develops a romance with Miss Namikawa and uncovers the Xilien's true intentions.

Science FictionAction
6
Destroy All Monsters poster

Destroy All Monsters

19681h 29m3.9
Director: Ishirō Honda
Cast: Akira Kubo, Jun Tazaki, Yukiko Kobayashi, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Chōtarō Tōgin

At the turn of the century, all of the Earth's monsters have been rounded up and kept safely on Monsterland. Chaos erupts when a race of she-aliens known as the Kilaaks unleash the monsters across the world.

Science FictionAction
7
Godzilla vs. Hedorah poster

Godzilla vs. Hedorah

19711h 25m3.9
Director: Yoshimitsu Banno
Cast: Akira Yamanouchi, Toshie Kimura, Hiroyuki Kawase, Keiko Mari, Toshio Shiba

An ever evolving alien life-form arrives on a comet from the Dark Gaseous Nebula and proceeds to consume pollution. Spewing mists of sulfuric acid and corrosive sludge, neither humanity nor Godzilla may be able to defeat this toxic menace.

Science FictionActionHorror
8
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla poster

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

19741h 24m4.1
Director: Jun Fukuda
Cast: Masaaki Daimon, Kazuya Aoyama, Reiko Tajima, Akihiko Hirata, Hiroshi Koizumi

An Okinawan prophecy that foretells the destruction of the Earth is seeming fulfilled when Godzilla emerges to return to his destructive roots. But not all is what it seems after Godzilla breaks his ally Anguirus's jaw. Matters are further complicated when a second Godzilla emerges, revealing the doppelgänger as a mechanical weapon.

ActionAdventureScience Fiction