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The Godzilla franchise debuted with the 1954 Japanese film Godzilla(Gojira). Since then, Japan and the rest of the world have known and become quite fascinated with Godzilla and the franchise the first film created. Future Godzilla movies would create creatures to act as foils and/or rivals to Godzilla as time passed.

The long-running Godzilla franchise's giant kaiju (Japanese for "strange beast") are terrifyingly powerful and destructive. Some of these mighty beasts are more potent than others and prove to be more formidable opponents to humanity and even the King of the Monsters himself. Others aren't nearly as strong as Godzilla, serving as weak allies to underscore Godzilla's strength or as minor foes to block his way before a real challenger approaches.

Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on January 29, 2025: Godzilla may be in a bigger Monsterverse, but he will always be the King of the Monsters. Even so, there will...

Quick Links Showa Era Godzilla (1954) Godzilla Raids Again (1955) King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964) Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965) Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966) Son of Godzilla (1967) Destroy All Monsters (1968) All Monsters Attack (1969) Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971) Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972) Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973) Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) Heisei Era The Return of Godzilla (1984) Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992) Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993) Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) TriStar Era Godzilla (1998) Millennuim Era Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999) Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000) Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001) Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002) Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003) Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) Reiwa Era (Ongoing) Shin Godzilla (2016) Godzilla: Planet of Monsters (2017) Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle (2018) Godzilla: The Planet Eater (2018) Godzilla Minus One (2023) Monsterverse (Ongoing) Godzilla (2014) Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

Godzilla — a...

The Godzilla “versus” movies are a part of the beloved, long-running Godzilla franchise that started in 1954 with the original Godzilla. Even though some of them are unfortunately considered to be Godzilla movies you can skip, each of the titles offers a unique take on the reptilian’s adversaries. Delving into Godzilla's complex legacy, they also feature compelling portrayals of an often misunderstood character. As the iconic monster is pitted against a total of 19 villains across the Godzilla franchise, spectacular battles, that are both action-packed and surprisingly emotional, take center stage.

The range of memorable foes, from shape-shifting plant creatures to robotic doppelgängers, have become iconic in their own right, but the "versus" format consistently keeps Godzilla at its center. Highlighting the monster's dual nature as both a destructive force and a protector, these Godzilla “versus” titles stand out as both a cornerstone of pop culture and a must-watch for fans of monster movies.

The Monsterverse has already added many iconic kaiju from Toho's classic lineup of Godzilla monsters, but could stand to add many more. Ever since the release of 2014's Godzilla, the movies of the Monsterverse have struck a balance between bringing back beloved giant monsters from previous eras of Godzilla and putting forward their own original creatures. That being said, there are plenty of kaijus from Godzilla's history yet to be used that could easily fit in as Titans in Legendary Pictures' Monsterverse.

Other than Godzilla and King Kong, the Monsterverse has already introduced several returning characters from the classic eras of Godzilla, including King Ghidorah, Mechagodzilla, Mothra, and Rodan. The series has since left plenty of promising concepts for monsters on the table, with many of Toho's old designs making perfect sense for the lore of the Monsterverse's hollow earth. Hopefully, future Monsterverse movies can continue to fill...

Godzilla brutally defeats four of his classic enemies in a fan-made animated video. First introduced in the 1954 Toho film, Godzilla is now one of the most influential and widely-known movie monsters of all time. In addition to playing an important role in Legendary's Monsterverse franchise, he also recently appeared in 2023's Godzilla Minus One. The epic creature's design has evolved over the years across films, but so too has the roster of enemies he faces off against.

A new video shared by Vrahno on YouTube features Godzilla in a city setting, under attack by four classic enemy monsters from the franchise. He faces off against the three-headed King Ghidorah and Megalon, defeating them in bloody ways using sheer strength and his atomic breath, before then fighting Gigan, who sweeps in from the sky. Finally, Godzilla faces off against Mechagodzilla before stomping away in victory. Check out the video below:...

The shared universe between Godzilla and Pacific Rim has prompted speculation from fans that there is going to be a crossover film sooner or later. However, it seems the idea has not been picked up yet by the studios that created these movies.

Godzilla

Guillermo del Toro snuffed all hope when he confessed he was not involved in the making of Godzilla films. But, there are always endless possibilities in the movie industry and there is actually a way to make this dream crossover happen.

Guillermo del Toro On His Love For Godzilla

In an interview with Hitfix via Collider, director Guillermo del Toro shut down rumors of his attachment to the then-upcoming Godzilla reboot.

“I am not involved in Godzilla at all. I haven’t read it or plan to read it. Nor have I been approached to direct it.”

Suggested“I strongly advise you to open Guillermo del...

Jet Jaguar is one of the most anticipated additions to the Godzilla cinematic universe. The towering robotic hero first appeared in the 1973 Toho Godzilla film Godzilla vs. Megalon.

Initially, he wasn’t on Godzilla’s side. The undersea civilization (the Seatopians), stole control of Jet Jaguar and used him to guide their giant monster, Megalon, in attacking the surface world.

Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)

In a surprising twist, Jet Jaguar gained its own consciousness and chose to use its powers for good. Recognizing the danger posed by Megalon, he sought out the assistance of Godzilla. This marked the first (and only) time Jet Jaguar and Godzilla fought together in a Toho Godzilla film.

In the TV series Godzilla Island, viewers are introduced to three variations of Jet Jaguar: a silver model, Medical Jet Jaguar, and Fire Fighter Jet Jaguar. He then made an appearance in the 2021 Netflix animated series Godzilla Singular Point...

Adam Wingard's new film "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" has, tonally speaking, strayed far from Gareth Edwards' 2014 MonsterVerse kickoff film "Godzilla." Edwards' film was somber and sad, featuring very little "fun" monster destruction. As the MonserVerse series has progressed, however, it has crept inexorably toward a sillier tone before striking it rich with Wingard's 2021 entry "Godzilla vs. Kong." That film featured a battle between the titular titans, but also a cameo from Mechagodzilla, a monstrous robot extrapolated from the skull of the dead King Ghidorah. "GvK" also featured a fleet of human-built UFOs and a magical portal that led into the Hollow Earth, an unusual underground realm ruled by monsters.

The Hollow Earth idea is straight out of Jules Verne, but the mayhem-forward approach to a Godzilla movie comes from several of Toho's films released in the 1970s. Indeed, many critics and pundits have been comparing "GxK" to the series' Shōwa era,...

It’s been nearly 70 years since Godzilla first step foot on the silver screen with Ishiro Honda’s 1954 opus, Gojira. What started as an allegory about the horrors of the atomic bomb and war has since been reimagined myriad times to cover everything from the awesome forces of nature to geopolitical alliances, the absurdities of consumerism to mankind’s inability to curb pollution. Whether Godzilla is a tragic monster, a defender of earth, or children’s role model, there’s no denying the appeal the Big G has to audiences.

After all, it’s damn entertaining to watch a giant monster stomping around the streets of a metropolis and leaving a path of destruction. Sure, American movies like King Kong and The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms primed American audiences for features of this magnitude. But really, it was Godzilla and the evolution of the IP’s unique genre of films — kaiju...

We're in the midst of a Godzilla renaissance. The big guy stole the show in 2023 with the critically acclaimed "Godzilla: Minus One," then appeared on the Apple+ TV series "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters," and battles King Kong once more on the big screen in Adam Wingard's "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire." We haven't even mentioned Netflix's "Godzilla" animated series or the slew of unique takes on the character released over the last decade, including the terrifying "Shin Godzilla." It's a great time to be a Gojira fan!

Of course, Godzilla enjoys the moniker "King of the Monsters" and with good reason: he's hard to stop. Since his debut in 1954, our hulking, spiky-tailed, nuclear pal has bought the farm only four times and typically wins his epic confrontations with other Kaiju. That's not to say he doesn't lose a fight, but more often than not, Godzilla runs slowly walks home with the trophy,...

The MonsterVerse movies strive to strike a balance between pleasing longtime fans and attracting new viewers with fresh, accessible content. While the new Godzilla design in the MonsterVerse prevents the iconic dropkick move from being recreated, the franchise includes nods and references to the history of its monsters. Godzilla vs. Kong offers a toned-down homage to a memorable moment from the original King Kong vs. Godzilla movie, showcasing how the MonsterVerse can reference classic moves in a less ridiculous manner.

The coolest fight move in Godzilla’s repertoire can’t be repeated in the MonsterVerse, because of the way the new Godzilla has been designed, but this franchise has proven it can do something similar. Starting with the 2014 Godzilla reboot, the MonsterVerse has brought some of cinema's most iconic monsters together in a shared continuity. Godzilla has since been joined by such monsters as Rodan, King Kong, and King Ghidorah.

Clockwise from bottom left: Godzilla (2014) (Warner Bros.), Godzilla Vs. Destoroyah (Toho), Shin Godzilla (Toho), Godzilla: King Of The Monsters (Warner Bros.), Godzilla (Toho)Graphic: The A.V. Club

Across four eras—Showa, Heisei, Millenium, and Reiwa—Godzilla has helped chart the course of both a country and a culture, speaking to the fears,...

Legendary’s MonsterVerse Godzilla TV series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is set to premiere on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on Friday, November 17, followed by one episode every Friday through January 12. (You can read our own Alex Maidy’s review of the first batch of episodes Here.) In anticipation of the show’s premiere, we’re taking a look back at several of Godzilla’s previous adventures to see how they stack up against each other. For the sake of keeping it as lean as possible, we’re focusing on his earliest days, going all the way back to the original Showa era, consisting of his very first outing in 1954, his first clashes with the likes of Mothra, Rodan, King Ghidorah and his cyborg counterpart, Mechagodzilla, before concluding its run in 1975. To add more familiarity to the pot, we’re also including his string of American blockbusters, from...

Godzilla is unwrapping a massive present in time for the mighty kaiju's 69th birthday.

To celebrate the 69th anniversary of the franchise, parent company Toho has released a new short film for Godzilla Fest 2023. The video, currently available for a short time on YouTube, features Godzilla facing his iconic insectoid opponent Megalon. Fighting each other throughout the ruins of Tokyo, the pair battles in a bout that's best described as both old-school and contemporary. Utilizing CGI and other modern effects, the short video still falls in line with classic Godzilla movies of the Showa era, including the one in which Megalon debuted.

Exclusive: Super7 Unveils Retro-Inspired Godzilla Figures

Godzilla unleashes his trademark atomic breath in several scenes, though his foe returns the favor in kind. Along with flight and his drill like arms, he also attacks the Big G with his electrokinesis, with these attacks sending even the mighty Godzilla hurtling back helplessly.

U.S. audiences tend to accept Toho's earlier Godzilla movies as being high camp, usually thanks to Gen-x's half-remembered airings of late-'60s kaiju flicks broadcast on Uhf TV channels back in the 1980s. While there are some absurd and terrible Godzilla films from the Showa era (1954-1975), and many of them contained surreal, kitschy plot elements like invading aliens, one might also find several movies -- "Gojira," "Destroy All Monsters" -- that focus on Japanese national pride, the role of destructive weapons in the world, and a barely-simmering resentment lingering after a massive attack on the country. If modern superhero movies sprung from the U.S. subconscious as a fantastical revenge/preventative measure against 9/11, so too did Godzilla spring fully formed from the trauma left behind by the U.S.' atomic bomb attacks.

In the original "Gojira," that is literal. The titular creature, a stories-high amphibious animal,...

Godzilla vs. Megalon, a kids' movie from the 1970s, includes a tragic moment where Godzilla's home, Monster Island, is destroyed. The film doesn't pay much attention to this development, but it implies the deaths of many iconic monsters like Rodan and Mothra. The loss of Monster Island, and the end of Godzilla's partnerships with other monsters, adds a sad element to the otherwise silly movie.

A Godzilla movie aimed at children includes one of the most tragic moments in the King of Monsters’ entire cinematic history. The 1960s and 1970s were a time when Toho was heavily invested in Godzilla films that whole families, particularly kids, could enjoy. Known as the Showa series, this era of Godzilla movies included quite a few installments laced with humor and other campy elements.

Whereas the 1954 original was a dark and serious film about Japan’s desperate fight with an all-powerful killing machine,...

Pluto TV is introducing a new Godzilla channel that will show nothing but Godzilla movies and television series 24 hours a day.

In the decades since Toho Co., Ltd. first introduced the world to its famous kaiju in 1954, the giant monster has amassed a massive library of films and television shows that fans still enjoy today. Now Pluto TV has announced the launch of a new Godzilla channel which will feature 24 hours of classic Godzilla films and series, as well as some new Pluto TV exclusives. With Pluto TV’s new Godzilla channel, it will be easier than ever for fans to watch hours of non-stop Kaiju action.

Related: Why Godzilla's Human Characters Matter Just as Much the Kaiju

Pluto TV touted its new Godzilla-themed channel, "The King of the Monsters has made landfall on Pluto TV! Emerging in 1954, Godzilla has become a global icon and symbol that has transcended time and pop culture.

Longtime film distribution executive Melvin “Duffy” Stanley Maron died Jan. 13 in Atlanta. He was 90.

Maron brought martial arts and cult movies to theater, drive-in and TV audiences throughout the 1970s including Edie Sedgwick starring “Ciao Manhattan,” “Godzilla’s Revenge,” the double bill of “War of the Gargantuas” and “Monster Zero” and “The Cult,” about the Tate-LoBianco killings.

He acquired numerous dubbed martial arts movies to capitalize on the Bruce Lee craze, including “Bruce Lee: The Man — The Myth,” “Fists of Bruce Lee,” “Fists of Vengeance,” “Kung Fu Gold” and “The Killing Machine.”

“Even though he had a short career with only a few films, Bruce Lee opened everyone’s eyes,” Maron told DVDDriveIn. “When I saw kids going to these karate and kung fu schools that were springing up everywhere, I felt there was a natural tie-in between the martial arts and America.”

His later distribution company World Northal was oriented to the arthouse market,...

Spoiler Alert: Do not read until you’ve seen the film!

Director Adam Wingard’s “Godzilla vs. Kong,” the latest entry in the long-running Godzilla franchise, takes the reptilian kaiju king in some bold new directions, and offers many spectacular sights that have never been seen before in a Godzilla movie. But it also pays sly homage to several previous entries in the giant monster series with a number of visual references, familiar story echoes, inside jokes, and clever Easter eggs that will reward keen-eyed fans. Though by no means a complete list, here are 10 hidden gems that you may have missed the first time around, whether in a theater or on HBO Max.

Kong Flies in Style

In Toho Studios’ 1967 kaiju classic “King Kong Escapes,” a nefarious scientist named Dr. Who captures Kong from his home on Mondo Island and transports him to the North Pole to mine a radioactive substance called Element X.

this article contains spoilers for godzilla vs. kong.

It may not have quite the cache or iconic status of Mothra or King Ghidorah, but Mechagodzilla has managed to become a consistent element in the Godzilla movie universe for years. And now the metallic wonder makes its Hollywood debut (not counting Ready Player One) in director Adam Wingard’s Godzilla vs. Kong, the fourth film in the modern MonsterVerse that kicked off in 2014 with Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla.

Ever since making its first appearance in 1974’s Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, the gigantic robotic reptile has stuck around as a relatively constant thorn in the side of his flesh-and-blood counterpart. If Ghidorah, Rodan, and Mothra are the Joker, Penguin, and Catwoman to Godzilla’s Batman, then Mechagodzilla hovers near the top of the second tier of rogues, the equivalent to a Two-Face or Mr. Freeze.

Mechagodzilla’s first appearance some 47 years ago came during...

Official plot details for Godzilla vs. Kong are still incredibly hard to come by unless you’ve been keeping track of the tie-in merchandise, which is where the big reveals seem to be coming from. Having been pushed back yet again, director Adam Wingard will be hoping that the latest installment in the MonsterVerse will live up to the hype when it finally arrives on its fifth and hopefully final release date next May.

That being said, the filmmaker could probably do with the extra post-production time given that extensive reshoots were ordered by the studio following a test screening that reportedly didn’t go down too well, although the most recent showing seems to indicate that Godzilla vs. Kong has been massively improved by the additional footage.

Following the disappointing critical and commercial performance of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the clash of the two iconic kaiju could make...

Don Kaye Oct 29, 2019

An extraordinary new Criterion Collection box set gathers the classic era of Godzilla movies together for the first time.

With a purposeful grimace and a terrible sound, Godzilla burst onto Japanese movie screens in 1954 as a frightening, melancholy metaphor for the nuclear nightmare that descended upon Japan just nine years earlier at the close of World War II.

Released in the U.S. two years later as Godzilla, King of the Monsters (with additional footage starring American actor Raymond Burr), that debut was such a success that it launched what has become the longest running franchise in film history, spanning 35 films over the course of 65 years and creating a genre known as the kaiju eiga (monster movie).

The Toho films have been separated into four distinct eras, and now the Criterion Collection -- the elite showcase label for classic cinema -- has compiled all 15 films of the first,...

As we recently reported, Criterion Collection will release 15 Godzilla films from the Showa era (initially released between 1954–1975) in a Blu-ray box set this October, and we now have a look at a brand new trailer for the release that gives us a tease of the new high-def digital transfers.

"In 1954, an enormous beast clawed its way out of the sea, destroying everything in its path—and changing movies forever. The arresting original Godzilla soon gave rise to an entire monster-movie genre (kaiju eiga), but the King of the Monsters continued to reign supreme: in fourteen fiercely entertaining sequels over the next two decades, Godzilla defended its throne against a host of other formidable creatures, transforming from a terrifying symbol of nuclear annihilation into a benevolent (if still belligerent) Earth protector. Collected here for the first time are all fifteen Godzilla films of Japan’s Showa era, in a landmark set showcasing the technical wizardry,...

You can tell that the Halloween season is getting closer, between various retailers already donning their shelves with tons of decorations, the days are getting shorter, and Turner Classic Movies has debuted their October schedule online, which features an abundance of genre awesomeness that will be hitting airwaves this fall. Without a doubt, TCM is one of the best resources for classic film, so for those of you looking to broaden your horizons this Halloween, definitely check out their calendar and set those DVRs.

Also, TCM has designated Godzilla as their “Monster of the Month” for October, so look for a bunch of classic films featuring the “King of the Monsters” and other beloved Kaiju throughout October as well.

**All Listings are in Est.**

Friday, September 27th

3:15pm – The Mummy’s Shroud

6:30pm – The Mummy (1959)

Saturday, September 28th

2:00am – Belladonna of Sadness

3:30am – House (1977)

Sunday, September...

If seeing Godzilla: King of the Monsters gave you massive monster fever, then you're in luck, because Criterion Collection will release 15 Godzilla films from the Showa era (initially released between 1954–1975) in a Blu-ray box set this October.

Slated to come out on October 29th, Godzilla: The Showa Era Films features high-def digital transfers of all 15 films in the set, with new cover artwork for all of the titles and more than enough special features to keep kaiju fans happy. Read on for additional details, and visit Criterion Collection's website for more information.

"In 1954, an enormous beast clawed its way out of the sea, destroying everything in its path—and changing movies forever. The arresting original Godzilla soon gave rise to an entire monster-movie genre (kaiju eiga), but the King of the Monsters continued to reign supreme: in fourteen fiercely entertaining sequels over the next two decades, Godzilla defended its throne...

At long last, Criterion has revealed its 1,000th entry to be the ultimate “Godzilla” collection, with all 15 films of the Japanese monster series’ original Showa era films beautifully burnished for the first time. This massive set, with all films digitally restored, ranges from Ishirō Honda’s 1954 original-that-started-it-all “Godzilla” to Honda’s 1975 “Terror of Mechagodzilla,” which was his directorial swan song.

Also featured in the set are such iconic Godzilla face-offs as “King Kong vs. Godzilla” (1963), “Mothra vs. Godzilla” (1964), “Godzilla vs. Gigan” (1972), “Godzilla vs. Megalon” (1973) and more.

Criterion promises “a landmark set showcasing the technical wizardry, fantastical storytelling, and indomitable international appeal that established the most iconic giant monster the cinema has ever seen.”

The series has featured its fair share of imitations and reboots over the years, including this year’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” whose director, Michael Dougherty modeled the creature design for his film after the 1954 version...

Gavin Jasper May 31, 2019

From Godzilla to Gamera to spiders to giant diaper men, the Satellite of Love has a long history making fun of big monsters.

With around 200 episodes, Mystery Science Theater 3000 has covered so many sub-sections of movies. They have Japanese superhero movies, old timey movies about juvenile delinquents, way too many “movies” that are just two episodes of a TV show edited together, and so on. One of these staples is the good, old fashioned giant monster movie.

Godzilla, Gamera, and their many knockoffs have shown up on the Satellite of Love throughout the years...though strangely mostly in season 3. With Godzilla: King of the Monsters here, it's time to take a look at the kaiju movies MST3K has to offer.

The problem is figuring out what movies I would personally consider a kaiju showcase. There are a lot of movies with dinosaurs and stuff, but...

This week, the first-ever full-length animated Godzilla movie debuts on Netflix. Originally released last year in Japan, Godzilla: Monster Planet is the 32nd Godzilla movie to come out in the past 64 years. Cinelinx takes a look at the big, radioactive reptile, focusing on the many ups-and-downs of the King of Monsters.

What is it about this giant monster that’s kept him so popular for so long? This character, created by Toho Studios over six decades ago, has often been a subject of ridicule—especially some of the later Showa entries of the 1970s—and few people will freely admit to loving Godzilla films. The image of guys wrestling in rubber monster suits and destroying miniature models of Tokyo is what most folks think of when Godzilla is mentioned. And even diehard fans like myself can wince in embarrassment at moments like the Godzilla dropkick from Godzilla vs. Megalon, or...

Even before I’d seen a single Godzilla movie, I knew Mechagodzilla was my favorite damn thing in the entire franchise. Because really, how could it not be? Regardless of its incarnation, Mechagodzilla is still a giant robot shaped like a monster. There are few things in entertainment that are quite that perfect, and it seems that pop culture agrees. Mechagodzilla has become something of a series icon, up there with King Ghidorah and Mothra as one of the most recognizable non-Godzilla kaiju in the franchise. Yet all legends have to start somewhere, and for Mechagodzilla, it was in the fourteenth film of the franchise, Jun Fukuda’s aptly titled Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974).

Taking place presumably sometime after the previous year’s Godzilla vs. Megalon (although continuity was never the Showa series’ high point), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla takes place in a Japan already rocked by monster attacks, with a...

A fistful of monster mashes in the wake of Nacho Vigalondo’s ‘Colossal.’

This weekend Nacho Vigalondo’s Colossal stomps into New York and Los Angeles to establish itself as the new King of the Monsters. While I am ready to hear your hyperbolic rants on how this kaiju fairs against the granddaddy of them all, I think it’s best if we avoid those comparisons, and simply appreciate how Nacho’s movie captures the somber drone of A Monster Calls while elevating to the heights of an epic genre party film. Like most horror geeks, I’ve always sided with the beasts. Part of that attraction certainly stemmed from my only-child status; the symbiotic relationship between Jack Kirby’s Devil Dinosaur and Moon Boy was painfully appealing to this basement bound TV brat. The other aspect was simply that lugging around a My Pet Monster could act as a talisman for the strength I feared was...

**Massive spoilers for every Godzilla movie, with the exception of the 2014 reboot, and Mothra follow**

August 6th and 9th, 1945 forever changed the course of history. When the first nuclear bombs were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, World War II ended, but a new fear was born that dominated the thoughts of all men, women, and children for decades to come. The Cold War, atomic bomb testing, a cartoon turtle telling children to “duck and cover”, and this new technology that had the actual potential to literally end the world changed the perception of what was scary. Art reflects life, so cinema began to capitalize on these fears. Gone were the days of creepy castles, cobwebs, bats, vampires, werewolves, and the other iconic images that ruled genre cinema in film’s earliest decades. Science fiction was larger than ever and giant ants, giant octopi, terror from beyond the stars, and...

The new Godzilla remake has finally arrived in theaters. The rebooted king of monsters stars in his 30th film in 60 years but he continues to vacillate between good guy monster and bad guy monster. Which way does Godzilla work better? Should he be the sheriff or the outlaw?

(Spoilers ahead)

60 years ago, Gojira/Godzilla: King of the Monsters debuted on screen; with a towering reptilian protagonist who was basically a rampaging beast. He was really a metaphor for the destructive power of the A-bomb. In the following three sequels, Gojira’s Counter Attack (Aka Gigantus the Fire Monster/ Godzilla Raids Again); Gojira vs. King Kong (Aka King Kong vs. Godzilla), and Mothra vs. Gojira (Aka Godzilla vs. the Thing); the radioactive monster continued his destructive, city-flattening ways, earning the enmity of the citizens of Japan. He was the ultimate threat.

By his fifth and sixth films, however, The Three...

The new Godzilla remake has finally arrived in theaters. The rebooted king of monsters stars in his 30th film in 60 years but he continues to vacillate between good guy monster and bad guy monster. Which way does Godzilla work better? Should he be the sheriff or the outlaw?

(Spoilers ahead)

60 years ago, Gojira/Godzilla: King of the Monsters debuted on screen; with a towering reptilian protagonist who was basically a rampaging beast. He was really a metaphor for the destructive power of the A-bomb. In the following three sequels, Gojira’s Counter Attack (Aka Gigantus the Fire Monster/ Godzilla Raids Again); Gojira vs. King Kong (Aka King Kong vs. Godzilla), and Mothra vs. Gojira (Aka Godzilla vs. the Thing); the radioactive monster continued his destructive, city-flattening ways, earning the enmity of the citizens of Japan. He was the ultimate threat.

By his fifth and sixth films, however, The Three...

Godzilla is one destructive creature. Over the course of 28 Japanese films and four American films, the monster (and the other kaiju that have appeared in the franchise) has nearly destroyed 19 cities in addition to fighting in space and underwater. Whether it’s intentional or not—sometimes Godzilla is nearly protecting us from alien creatures bent on destroying Earth—cities fall under the brute strength, physical size and eternal frustration of the mutated amphibian.

In the new film, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen and Ken Watanabe, the creature expands his destruction count by rampaging Honolulu, Las Vegas and San Francisco. All three cities are a far cry from Tokyo, a city that has been destroyed more times than an other location in the long-running franchise. In a handy little guide to destruction, VH1 has compiled a complete list of cities destroyed by the monsters.

Tokyo

The capital of Japan has served...

There are high expectations for the Godzilla reboot. Skeptics fear that this could become another farce like the 1998 version. Hell, even the original Toho series eventually degenerated into self-parody. There's hope for the new film as well, generated by the footage we've seen so far, and we feel that if Gareth Edwards and WB can steer clear of these ten horrible ideas from Godzilla's past, the film will be just fine.

Godzilla Running Away: One of the worst aspects of the lamentable 1998 version of Godzilla was that our reptilian star acted more like a scared animal than a destructive, savage force of nature. Zilla (as the American Godzilla is often called to differentiate him from the iconic Japanese Godzilla) spends most of the film running away from the military, rather than taking a stand. What kind of a kaiju retreats from soldiers? Not the Godzilla we know and love.

And the Godzilla train just keeps on rolling. With the anticipated blockbuster status of Gareth Edwards Godzilla you can bet we’ll being seeing the giant lizard around every corner and tonight brings us news of the Blu-ray release of a couple of classic Godzilla titles. Destroy All Monsters and Godzilla Vs. Megalon are getting the treatment from Media Blasters and here are all the details you need.

July 22nd is the release date and Aith … Continue reading →

Horrornews.net...

It’s been a long time in the works, but Media Blasters has announced that they will release Godzilla vs. Megalon and re-release Destroy All Monsters on Blu-ray and DVD this July:

“(New York City) Media Blasters Inc. and their Tokyo Shock label are proud to announce the first time North American/U.S. Blu-ray releases of Destroy All Monsters and Godzilla Vs. Megalon. Both Godzilla classics will be released individually on DVD and Blu-ray and as a box set to follow the wide theatrical release of the new Hollywood-produced Godzilla.

Destroy All Monsters (1968) is universally considered the strong fan favorite of the entire Godzilla series! It’s an all-star monster rally of epic proportions featuring Toho’s greatest and wildest mammoth monsters in the ultimate, all-out rumble! See Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, King Ghidorah, Anguirus, Minya, Spiega, Baragon, Gorosaurus, Manda and Varan in all their titanic glory! The film was...

When you invite Sacha Baron Cohen to your awards show, you should probably expect the unexpected. He didn’t disappoint Saturday night at the BAFTA La Britannia Awards when, after receiving the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy, the “Borat” star did a quick dance, tapped his cane a few times and stunned the crowd of Hollywood heavyweights by tripping and knocking a wheelchair-bound 87-year-old woman off the stage and into the audience. Also read: ‘August: Osage County’ Review: Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts Go at It Like Godzilla vs. Megalon It took the Beverly Hilton crowd a moment to realize who.

You’re a robot made by humans. But Jet Jaguar, Jet Jaguar, you did it, Jet Jaguar. Go, go to protect the peace. We are all surprised at the courage you show. Godzilla and Jet Jaguar, Punch! Punch! Punch!

Toho Studios held a contest in 1972 asking fans to come up with the idea for a new giant monster wrestling robotic superhero along the lines of the enormously popular Ultraman at the time. The winning submission was a robot named Red Arone that looked like a hybrid of Ultraman and another popular Ultraman wannabe named Spectreman. Toho changed its name to Jet Jaguar with plans to launch the contest winner into superstardom with its own movie: Jet Jaguar vs. Megalon.

Upon quickly realizing that this newbie creation did not have the star power to carry its own movie, Toho brought in their signature star, Godzilla, to give the rub to their...

Ah, Godzilla vs. Megalon, a title fans cringe when hearing it. However, over the years, the fanbase has gained a liking for the film, becoming what the critics call a 'cult classic.' Back in the day I would hear fans call this the worst Godzilla movie ever. Today, things are different. Final Wars has taken its place and is the hated one now. (A lot of people tend to even like All Monsters Attack more than Final Wars, though most agree that it's still better than the 98 film.) Godzilla vs. Megalon is the most low-budgeted Godzilla film since All Monsters Attack. Thought Godzilla vs. Gigan had stock footage? That was nothing. Here the majority of Megalon's 'attacks' on the city are stock footage from Ghidorah and a few others. Also, you'll notice that Japan seems like a ghostown. It's like everyone died in the previous film and it's just...

You want to hear something interesting? The top selling version of The Hunger Games on Amazon as I write this up is the [amazon asin="B008602KQI" text="Instant Video Version"], not the DVD or the Blu-ray. As far as I can remember this is the first time I've ever seen this happen with a new release. It's probably only because I believe Amazon releases those a week early to entice people to buy them before they then buy a physical copy, but it's a clear sign to me that the times... they are a'changin'.

Jaws I wrote up my review of this new Blu-ray release of Jaws just last night and highly recommend fans of the film pick it up. It's got an immaculate transfer, vivid, cleaned up and vastly superior to anything I've ever seen plus a restored audio track and, for the first time ever on home video, the feature length making-of documentary "The Shark is Still Working.

Godzilla is being reinvented for a new generation. The reboot is due in the summer of 2014. This is a look at the long history of the Godzilla franchise, providing new viewers with everything they need to know about the King of Monsters.

Godzilla always returns. You can't keep a good monster down. A new Godzilla film is being produced by Legendary Pictures and is scheduled for release in 2014, which will be the 60th anniversary of Gojira, the first screen appearance of the perennially popular atomic mutation. (The image below is the only piece of the new teaser trailer which has been leaked to the internet, but it's not very clear.) For those who are unfamiliar with the six decade history of the most popular monster of the Japanese film industry, here's everything you need to know about the king of the monsters.

 

Godzilla--originally called "Gojira"--was inspired by (some...

John Wilbanks - When did you start collecting and how did you get into the hobby? KaijuNerd98 - When I was younger, there used to be a store with nothing but monster merchandise and movies. The Bandai Gamera 1995 was the first monster toy I ever had. As I got older and got into using the Internet and eBay, I started seeing what other cool and interesting monster figures and movies there were. By 2005, I had started building the collection I have today. John Wilbanks - Your collection is focused on Godzilla. There seems to be a lot of Godzilla fans coming out of the woodwork here. What makes Godzilla special to you? KaijuNerd98 - I’ve been a fan of Godzilla movies since I was a child. “Godzilla vs. Gigan” and “Godzilla vs. Megalon” were the films I remember watching the most on VHS tapes. I always would check the...

Media Blasters cover art

Godzilla fans have been clamoring for a digital release of Godzilla Vs Megalon for years. Well, that isn’t exactly true. Collectors have been waiting anxiously awaiting a DVD release of the 1973 entry in Toho’s powerhouse franchise, but other than completists and aficionados of arcane cinema, few are holding their breath for what is widely considered one of, if not the, worst entry in the legendary series.

Godzilla fans have long discussed the damage done by the thirteenth entry in the cycle, with complaints about everything from the hastily-created Godzilla suit, to the strange way Godzilla fights, to the loud mouthed central character kid and his tiny tricycle, to the over-reliance on stock footage to pad the running time. Above all else, though, there is Jet Jaguar, the Jar-Jar Binks of the franchise, a human-sized flying robot who ultimately trumps ‘Zilla himself in the finale,...

While Destroy All Monsters will be coming to Blu-ray next week, the film many Godzilla fans are waiting to own on DVD/Blu-ray is Godzilla vs. Megalon. The film was announced for a Region 1 home release a few months back, and Amazon is listing the release date on November 22nd. It’s unkown if this is the official date, but it would be safe to assume it is. No word on special features, but we should hear something on that soon.

I hear all the time that I live my life too much in the movies and sometimes I wonder to myself, is that really a bad thing? In the movies the imposing Twin Towers of the World Trade Center are still standing in Lower Manhatten, they are still dominating the New York skyline and inspiring characters to achieve their goals and reach for the stars.

In the films I can remember the New York skyline as it should be and through films they will live on longer than you or I and for the generation who are just growing up at school now and never lived in the same time when they stood, the Towers will be remembered by their cameo (and sometimes supporting character!) appearances in films.

P.S. – this article is not an exhaustive list of the Twin Towers in film. There’s many, many places on the web with those.

If you’re a big Godzilla fan like me, then you were no doubt excited when Classic Media announced they would release Ishiro Honda’s masterpiece Gojira on Blu-ray. And if you’re like me, then you were very disappointed with that release. The released featured no new special features, and the film wasn’t even restored. In fact, the original DVD release that Classic Media released was in better condition, and had a lot more to offer.

Well, fans may finally be treated to a proper Blu-ray release from the Criterion Collection. According to Blu-ray.com, the Criterion Collection posted an image on their Facebook Page teasing a possible release of the film. There’s no way of telling what they’re planning as no official announcement has been made yet. But it would certainly be exciting to see a full restoration of the film on Blu-ray, and would...

It was announced not long ago that Media Blasters would be releasing both Godzilla vs. Megalon and Destroy All Monsters on DVD/Blu-ray in the Us (here). We’ll have to be impatient for Godzilla vs. Megalon, but Destroy All Monsters will be available on October 25th, according to Sci Fi Japan.

The release will include an “audio commentary track by Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski, co-authors of a forthcoming biography and film study of director Ishiro Honda, to be published by Wesleyan University Press. The commentary includes behind-the-scenes production information about this sci-fi classic, as well as special guest appearances by people who were involved the production. Steve and Ed are also constructing the ultimate image galleries loaded with stills, lobby cards, press books, poster art, trailers, radio spots, production art and vintage merchandise pertaining to the film.” Both release will include a Japanese and English audio track, with subtitles.

Last month, we reported on Destroy All Monsters and Godzilla vs. Megalon coming to Blu-ray. While Godzilla vs. Megalon‘s release date was set for November 29th at that time, the release date for Destroy All Monsters has just been revealed.

“Amid a flurry of escalating internet rumors, Media Blasters Inc. and their Tokyo Shock label are proud to announce and confirm the acquisition of two vintage Toho produced Godzilla classics- Destroy All Monsters and Godzilla Vs. Megalon! For the first time, both films will be re-mastered in high definition and released on DVD and Blu-ray! Destroy All Monsters will receive a worthy deluxe treatment to provide fans with a noticeable upgrade from its previous DVD incarnation. Godzilla Vs. Megalon marks the first time that this long sought after title will be officially released uncut and widescreen on DVD and Blu-ray. Both films will feature exciting extras!

Destroy All Monsters...

We're still doing the Happy Dance of Kaiju Mayhem here at the Dread Central offices about two vintage Godzilla flicks hitting Blu-ray and some new details have surfaced! Dig it!

From the Press Release

Amid a flurry of escalating internet rumors, Media Blasters Inc. and their Tokyo Shock label are proud to officially announce and confirm the acquisition of two vintage Toho produced Godzilla classics- Destroy All Monsters and Godzilla Vs. Megalon! For the first time, both films will be re-mastered in high definition and released on DVD and Blu-ray! Destroy All Monsters will receive a worthy deluxe treatment to provide fans with a noticeable upgrade from its previous DVD incarnation. Godzilla Vs. Megalon marks the first time that this long sought after title will be officially released uncut and widescreen on DVD and Blu-ray. Both films will feature exciting extras and supplementary materials to be announced soon!

Destroy All Monsters...