Mothra vs. Godzilla
Movie, 1964, Showa era, Set in Infant Island
Mothra vs. Godzilla is #4 of 35 in release order and #4 of 35 in chronological order in the Godzilla.
The story
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.
Mothra vs. Godzilla recap
After a typhoon, a giant egg washes ashore near Shizunoura, and the businessman Kumayama, backed by the financier Torahata, buys it from the villagers to build an amusement park around it. The reporter Ichiro Sakai, the photographer Junko Nakanishi and Professor Miura meet the Shobijin, two tiny fairies from Infant Island, who say the egg belongs to Mothra and ask for it back. Kumayama and Torahata refuse, even trying to buy the fairies. Godzilla then emerges from the mud on the coast, stirred by the storm, and tramples Nagoya. Sakai, Junko and Miura sail to Infant Island, scarred by nuclear tests, to ask the islanders for Mothra's help. The islanders refuse at first, but Junko's plea persuades them, though the fairies warn that the adult Mothra is near death. Back in Nagoya, Torahata shoots Kumayama over the money and is crushed when Godzilla smashes his hotel.
Mothra vs. Godzilla ending explained
Twin Mothra larvae hatch and defeat Godzilla by wrapping it in silk until it falls into the sea. First the dying adult Mothra fights Godzilla to defend her egg and dies beside it. The larvae chase Godzilla to Iwa Island, where the heroes rescue a stranded teacher and his students, and the larvae spin their silk. The larvae and fairies return to Infant Island, and Sakai hopes people can build a world worth Mothra's help.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Mothra vs. Godzilla
Mothra vs. Godzilla is streaming on Darkroom, HBO Max, and Amazon MX Player in the US. You can rent or buy it on Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Ratings
IMDb 6.5/10, Rotten Tomatoes 93%
Where it fits
- Release order: after King Kong vs. Godzilla, before Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster.
- Chronological order: after King Kong vs. Godzilla, before Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster.
What to watch before Mothra vs. Godzilla
In release order, the essentials before Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964) are Godzilla (1954), Godzilla Raids Again (1955), and King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962).
Cast
- Akira Takarada as Ichiro "Ichi" Sakai
- Yuriko Hoshi as Junko Nakanishi
- Hiroshi Koizumi as Professor Shunsuke Miura
- Yū Fujiki as Jiro Nakamura
- Kenji Sahara as Jiro Torahata
- Emi Ito as Shobijin (Twin Fairy)
- Yumi Ito as Shobijin (Twin Fairy)
- Jun Tazaki as Editor Maruta
- Yoshibumi Tajima as Kumayama
- Kenzō Tabu as Prefectural Assembly Member
- Yutaka Sada as School Principal
- Akira Tani as Amimoto, Shizunora Village Leader
Directed by Ishirō Honda.