No matter if you’re new to Godzilla or a dedicated fan excited for the next installment like Godzilla x Kong: Supernova or a sequel to Godzilla Minus One, we believe it’s *always* a great time to revisit these classic films. However, with so many movies available-and some definitely better than others-deciding where to start can be tough. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best Godzilla movies, in the perfect order to watch them.
What’s the best order to watch the Godzilla movies?
By 2025, the Godzilla series will include 38 movies and shows no signs of stopping. Originally created by the Japanese studio Toho, Godzilla is one of the oldest and most enduring monster franchises in film history. Over the decades, the series has gone through distinct periods-starting with the very first Godzilla in 1954 and continuing through the Showa, Heisei, Millennium, and Reiwa eras. Some particularly notable films include the live-action *Shin Godzilla* (2016) and the animated *Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters* trilogy (2017-2018).
The U.S. has been involved in several Godzilla movies, including the 1998 film, and the more recent MonsterVerse series. This series includes Godzilla (2014), Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019), and Godzilla vs. Kong (2021), with the latest installment, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024), continuing the story.
Look, I could just list every Godzilla movie ever made, but as a huge fan, I wanted to create something really helpful for anyone just getting into this awesome world. So, I’ve picked out what I think are the *essential* films. I’ve broken it down into two sections: the original Japanese movies and the newer American MonsterVerse films. That way, you can jump in wherever you like!
Toho Co.
Godzilla (1954)
Ishirō Honda’s original Godzilla film kicked off a legendary franchise. More than just a classic monster movie like *Creature from the Black Lagoon*, it used Godzilla – a creature mutated by nuclear radiation – as a powerful symbol of the devastation caused by WWII and the atomic bombings. The film depicts Godzilla rising from the sea to attack Tokyo, and it’s known for its deeply unsettling and memorable imagery. Filming was incredibly challenging; actor Haruo Nakajima spent hours in a heavy, over 200-pound rubber suit in hot conditions. The creature’s famous roar was ingeniously created by composer Akira Ifukube, who rubbed a leather glove across the strings of a contrabass.
Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)
As a huge Godzilla fan, I always recommend this movie to everyone. It’s a classic battle between Godzilla and Mothra, who isn’t just a monster – she’s practically a goddess to the people who live on the island where the story takes place. What I love is that it’s more than just awesome monster action; it really digs into big ideas like protecting the environment, the dangers of unchecked corporate power, and even finding hope after everything seems lost. Honestly, it’s one of the best Godzilla films ever made, and if you’re just getting into the series, this is *the* place to start.
The Return of Godzilla (1984)
Okay, let me tell you about *The Return of Godzilla*. Directed by Koji Hashimoto, this isn’t just another Godzilla flick – it’s a deliberate sequel to the *original* 1954 film, completely resetting the continuity. Forget everything that happened in those other, later movies! The story kicks off with Godzilla bursting out of a volcano, and immediately, things go sideways for the towns nearby. The Japanese military tries to stop him, but nothing seems to work. So, the scientists and government get to work on a new weapon, the Super X, hoping it’ll be the answer. Being a classic 80s monster movie, it’s loaded with Cold War anxieties and some surprisingly clever commentary – it really makes you *think* while you’re watching all the destruction.
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)
This Godzilla film, set in the Heisei era, takes a unique approach by introducing time travel and aliens to the classic monster story. Godzilla battles the formidable King Ghidorah, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. The plot kicks off with a team going back to World War II to alter the past, offering a twist on the typical monster showdown. Film buffs will appreciate the special effects, which cleverly blend practical suitmation with miniatures and early computer-generated imagery. King Ghidorah himself is a visually stunning creature, making the film a worthwhile watch for its effects work alone.
Shin Godzilla (2016)
Shin Godzilla is a highly regarded film in the Godzilla series, and many consider it the best one ever made. The story starts with the Coast Guard discovering an empty boat, which leads to the appearance of a bizarre, ever-changing creature causing destruction. Though it features some classic monster action, the film mainly focuses on the political response to the attacks and how the government struggles to react. As politicians deal with red tape and the U.S. considers a nuclear strike, a dedicated group of scientists and public workers work to protect Japan. Directed by Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi (with Anno also writing the screenplay), Shin Godzilla was praised in Japan for its realistic approach and its respectful nod to the original 1954 film.
Godzilla Minus One (2023)
Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, *Godzilla Minus One* is being hailed as one of the best *Godzilla* movies ever made, and a standout recent film in the series. It’s also become the highest-grossing *Godzilla* film in Japanese history. The story starts in 1945 with a pilot who crash-lands on an island for repairs, only to be attacked by Godzilla, leaving him one of just two survivors. Burdened by guilt, he returns to Tokyo, a city devastated by war. With no army left to protect them, the city’s residents band together for a last desperate fight against the seemingly invincible monster. In addition to its huge success at the box office, *Godzilla Minus One* made history as the first *Godzilla* film to win the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
MonsterVerse
Godzilla (2014)
It had been ten years since Godzilla last appeared in theaters, and the 2014 film completely reset the story, ignoring the 1998 version. This new movie reintroduced the iconic monster to audiences and kicked off the MonsterVerse – a shared cinematic universe featuring creatures from Toho, produced by Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures. The film, directed by Gareth Edwards, begins in Japan with a strange nuclear accident that impacts a family. Years later, the now-adult son (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) returns home after his father (Bryan Cranston) is arrested for illegally entering a restricted area, and he’s determined to find out what really happened.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
The follow-up to the 2014 Godzilla film introduces several massive creatures, including Mothra, Rodan, and the three-headed King Ghidorah, raising the stakes as these titans battle for dominance. The filmmakers worked closely with Toho, the original creators of these monsters, to ensure the designs stayed true to the classic versions while still appealing to today’s audiences. This is a respectful nod to the original Japanese films, successfully capturing their essence even with modern special effects. Despite being a large-scale blockbuster, the movie avoids feeling empty and maintains a connection to its roots.
Dr. Emma Russell, a scientist with the organization Monarch, creates a device that can communicate with giant monsters called Titans, even waking them up. When her daughter is taken hostage, the device is stolen, accidentally unleashing ancient creatures. The movie then showcases a thrilling battle between these monsters – including Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, and the terrifying King Ghidorah – creating a spectacular monster showdown.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Adam Wingard’s Godzilla vs. Kong delivers the epic showdown fans have been waiting for between these two legendary monsters. It’s a much more visually explosive film than the 2014 Godzilla, and if you enjoy over-the-top action, you’ll likely love it. Simply put, it’s a wildly entertaining, no-holds-barred spectacle.
The story of Godzilla vs. Kong starts with Godzilla attacking cities, which worries the world. This leads a secret group called Apex Cybernetics to start researching both monsters. Meanwhile, a plan to move Kong from Skull Island (featured in the 2016 film *Kong: Skull Island*) goes wrong, and he ends up fighting Godzilla in huge battles that destroy cities.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
The newest MonsterVerse film, directed again by Adam Wingard, continues to build this shared universe with bigger threats and even more massive destruction. Following the events of *Godzilla vs. Kong*, Kong is exploring the Hollow Earth, searching for other gorillas like himself – it’s tough being a solitary giant! Meanwhile, Godzilla remains on Earth, working to keep peace between humans and the colossal titans, a huge responsibility for a giant dinosaur. However, this peace is fragile. When new monsters appear from the Hollow Earth and other places, the balance is threatened, forcing Godzilla and Kong to team up, despite their differences, to protect the world.
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2025-09-26 20:11