Godzilla Movies - Watch Order: Heisei Era

1954 - 19958 Films13h 48m4.3 Average

This watch list features the 1980s-90s reboot series that returned Godzilla to his destructive roots with darker themes, improved special effects, and more serious storytelling. This continuity only acknowledges the original 1954 film, effectively erasing the campier Showa Era entries to create a more grounded and cohesive storyline focused on Godzilla as a genuine threat to humanity.

The films showcase superior production values and more sophisticated monster designs while exploring themes of environmental destruction, genetic manipulation, and humanity's relationship with nature. The Heisei Era strikes a nice balance between spectacle and substance, offering both impressive kaiju battles and meaningful dramatic weight that made Godzilla relevant for a new generation.

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
The Return of Godzilla poster

The Return of Godzilla

19841h 43m4.2
Director: Koji Hashimoto
Cast: Keiju Kobayashi, Ken Tanaka, Yasuko Sawaguchi, Shin Takuma, Yōsuke Natsuki

After a fishing boat is attacked, the sole surviving crew member realizes it is none other than a resurrected Godzilla. However, efforts to bring the story to light are suppressed by the Japanese government amid growing political tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, who are both willing to bomb Japan to stop the monster.

Science FictionActionThrillerHorror
3
Godzilla vs. Biollante poster

Godzilla vs. Biollante

19891h 45m4.4
Director: Kazuki Ōmori
Cast: Kunihiko Mitamura, Yoshiko Tanaka, Masanobu Takashima, Kōji Takahashi, Toru Minegishi

After the previous Godzilla attack, a miniature arms race ensues to collect his cells. Concerned over Godzilla's possible return, the Japanese government uses the cells to create a new bio-weapon, ANEB (Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria). They seeks the aid of geneticist Genshiro Shiragami, who's experiments result in a new mutation.

ActionHorrorFantasyScience Fiction
4
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah poster

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah

19911h 43m4
Director: Kazuki Ōmori
Cast: Katsuhiko Sasaki, Kosuke Toyohara, Anna Nakagawa, Megumi Odaka, Akiji Kobayashi

The Futurians, time-travelers from the 23rd century, arrive in Japan to warn them of the nation's destruction under Godzilla. They offer to help erase Godzilla from history by preventing his creation. With Godzilla seemingly gone, a new monster emerges as the Futurians' true intentions are revealed.

ActionAdventureScience Fiction
5
Godzilla vs. Mothra poster

Godzilla vs. Mothra

19921h 42m4
Director: Takao Okawara
Cast: Tetsuya Bessho, Satomi Kobayashi, Takehiro Murata, Saburo Shinoda, Akiji Kobayashi

Mothra's dark counterpart, Battra, emerges to eliminate humanity on behalf of the Earth. Two tiny fairies called the Cosmos offer their help by calling Mothra to battle the creature. Unfortunately a meteorite has awoken a hibernating Godzilla as a three way battle for the Earth begins.

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6
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II poster

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II

19931h 48m4.3
Director: Takao Okawara
Cast: Masahiro Takashima, Ryoko Sano, Megumi Odaka, Daijirô Harada, Ichirota Miyagawa

The U.N.G.C.C. (United Nations Godzilla Countermeasure Center) recovers the remains of Mecha-King Ghidorah and construct Mechagodzilla as a countermeasure against Godzilla. Meanwhile, a giant egg is discovered along with a new monster called Rodan. The egg is soon found to be none other than an infant Godzillasaurus.

ActionAdventureDramaScience Fiction
7
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla poster

Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla

19941h 48m3.9
Director: Kensho Yamashita
Cast: Megumi Odaka, Jun Hashizume, Zenkichi Yoneyama, Akira Emoto, Towako Yoshikawa

A mysterious extraterrestrial being resembling Godzilla rapidly approaches Earth. The monster, dubbed SpaceGodzilla, lands to challenge the King of the Monsters.

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8
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah poster

Godzilla vs. Destoroyah

19951h 43m4.7
Director: Takao Okawara
Cast: Takuro Tatsumi, Yoko Ishino, Yasufumi Hayashi, Megumi Odaka, Sayaka Osawa

A burning Godzilla, on the verge of meltdown, emerges to lay siege to Hong Kong. At the same time horrifying new organisms are discovered in Japan. These crustacean-like beings are seemingly born of the Oxygen Destroyer, the weapon that killed the original Godzilla.

ActionScience FictionHorror