Toho's Godzilla films come in eras that each restart from the 1954 original. Watch Godzilla (1954) first, then pick an era: Showa (1955 to 1975), Heisei (1984 to 1995, one continuous story from The Return of Godzilla), or Millennium (1999 to 2004), which is mostly standalone films. Shin Godzilla (2016) and Godzilla Minus One (2023) stand alone. The MonsterVerse is a separate American series.
- Titles
- 35
- Films
- 34
- Series
- 1
- Watch time
- 61 hours
- Box office
- $847 million
- Avg IMDb
- 6.2
Godzilla movies in release order
Here is every Godzilla title in the order it came out, 1954 to 2023: 34 films and 1 series. Optional entries are marked; you can skip them on a first watch.
Godzilla timeline: movies in chronological order
The same titles in story order, by when they take place, with the year or era each one is set in.
Release or chronological: which order is best?
Release order and story order disagree on 7 titles here. In release order you start with Godzilla (1954); in story order you start with Godzilla, set in Tokyo, 1954.
First time through, watch in release order. That is how the twists, returning characters and callbacks were built to land, and later entries assume you have seen the earlier ones. On a rewatch, try story order. It turns Godzilla into one continuous story and makes the prequels play as setup instead of backstory.
Godzilla also runs 4 separate continuities: Heisei era (1984 to 1995), TriStar's Godzilla (1998), Millennium era (1999 to 2004), and Reiwa era (2016 on). Each has its own line on the timeline, so you can watch them on their own without breaking the main story.
Where to start
Start with Godzilla and go in release order, skipping the 2 optional titles on the first pass.
The essentials are 33 titles and about 57 hours, 6% less than the full run.
The three highest rated: Godzilla (7.6), Godzilla Minus One (7.6), and Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (7).
Every Godzilla movie, explained
One entry per title in release order: what it is about, why it matters to the bigger story, who is in it and how it did.
No. 01 · 1954 · Film · 1h 36m
Godzilla
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.
Why it matters: The original: a nuclear allegory nine years after Hiroshima. Watch the Japanese cut, not the 1956 US edit.
- Starring
- Akira Takarada, Momoko Kôchi, and Akihiko Hirata
- Director
- Ishirō Honda
- Box office
- $2 million
- Scores
- IMDb 7.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 94%
No. 02 · 1955 · Film · 1h 22m
Godzilla Raids Again
Two fishing scout pilots make a horrifying discovery when they encounter a second Godzilla alongside a new monster named Anguirus. Without the weapon that killed the original, authorities attempt to lure Godzilla away from the mainland. But Anguirus soon arrives and the two monsters make their way towards Osaka as Japan braces for tragedy.
Why it matters: Godzilla fights Anguirus in Osaka; the first sequel.
- Starring
- Hiroshi Koizumi, Setsuko Wakayama, and Minoru Chiaki
- Director
- Motoyoshi Oda
- Box office
- $2 million
- Scores
- IMDb 5.7 · Rotten Tomatoes 64%
No. 03 · 1962 · Film · 1h 37m
King Kong vs. Godzilla
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.
Why it matters: The first Kong crossover and the most-watched Godzilla film in Japan.
- Starring
- Tadao Takashima, Kenji Sahara, and Yū Fujiki
- Director
- Ishirō Honda
- Box office
- $13 million
- Scores
- IMDb 6.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 52%
No. 04 · 1964 · Film · 1h 29m
Mothra vs. Godzilla
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.
Why it matters: Often called the best Showa film; Godzilla as a pure villain.
- Starring
- Akira Takarada, Yuriko Hoshi, and Hiroshi Koizumi
- Director
- Ishirō Honda
- Box office
- $10 million
- Scores
- IMDb 6.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 93%
No. 05 · 1964 · Film · 1h 32m
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
After a meteorite unleashes a three-headed beast upon Tokyo, Mothra tries to unite with Godzilla and Rodan to battle the extraterrestrial threat.
Why it matters: Godzilla, Rodan and Mothra team up against King Ghidorah; Godzilla starts turning hero.
- Starring
- Yōsuke Natsuki, Yuriko Hoshi, and Hiroshi Koizumi
- Director
- Ishirō Honda
- Box office
- $3 million
- Scores
- IMDb 6.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 77%
No. 06 · 1965 · Film · 1h 36m
Invasion of Astro-Monster
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.
Why it matters: Aliens from Planet X borrow Godzilla and Rodan.
- Starring
- Akira Takarada, Nick Adams, and Kumi Mizuno
- Director
- Ishirō Honda
- Box office
- $3 million
- Scores
- IMDb 6.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 50%
No. 07 · 1966 · Film · 1h 27m
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
Searching for his brother, Ryota stows away on a boat belonging to a criminal alongside two other teenagers. The group shipwrecks on Letchi island and discover the Infant Island natives have been enslaved by a terrorist organization controlling a crustacean monster. Finding a sleeping Godzilla, they decide to awaken him to defeat the terrorists and liberate the natives.
Why it matters: Godzilla against a giant shrimp on a terrorist-run island.
- Starring
- Akira Takarada, Kumi Mizuno, and Akihiko Hirata
- Director
- Jun Fukuda
- Box office
- $3 million
- Scores
- IMDb 5.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 63%
No. 08 · 1967 · Film · 1h 26m
Son of Godzilla
Reporter Goro Maki stumbles upon scientists conducting weather experiments on Sollgel Island in the South Seas. He discovers the island is inhabited by giant mantis and a woman named Saeko who's been cast away since the death of her father. The pair soon find a helpless infant monster that Godzilla must adopt and learn to raise as one of his own.
Why it matters: Godzilla raises Minilla on a tropical island.
- Starring
- Tadao Takashima, Bibari Maeda, and Akira Kubo
- Director
- Jun Fukuda
- Box office
- $2 million
- Scores
- IMDb 5.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 63%
No. 09 · 1968 · Film · 1h 29m · 15th in story order
Destroy All Monsters
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.
Why it matters: Every Showa monster in one film, set in the future; the end of the Showa story.
- Starring
- Akira Kubo, Jun Tazaki, and Yukiko Kobayashi
- Director
- Ishirō Honda
- Box office
- $2 million
- Scores
- IMDb 6.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 82%
No. 10 · 1969 · Film · 1h 10m · 9th in story order · optional
All Monsters Attack
Ichiro Miki is a child living in the industrial district of Kawasaki, where his parents' constant struggle to make ends meet often leaves the schoolboy alone. Constantly teased by a bully nicknamed Gabara, his only friends are toy consultant Shinpei and fellow classmate Sachiko. Ichiro turns to escapist dreams of Monster Island where he befriends the equally bullied Minilla.
Why it matters: A lonely boy dreams of Monster Island; mostly reused footage, skippable.
- Starring
- Kenji Sahara, Machiko Naka, and Tomonori Yazaki
- Director
- Ishirō Honda
- Box office
- $2 million
- Scores
- IMDb 3.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 38%
No. 11 · 1971 · Film · 1h 25m · 10th in story order
Godzilla vs. Hedorah
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.
Why it matters: A pollution monster and a strange, psychedelic anti-smog film.
- Starring
- Akira Yamanouchi, Hiroyuki Kawase, and Toshie Kimura
- Director
- Yoshimitsu Banno
- Box office
- $3 million
- Scores
- IMDb 6.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 67%
No. 12 · 1972 · Film · 1h 29m · 11th in story order
Godzilla vs. Gigan
Manga artist Gengo Odaka lands a job with the World Children's Land amusement park only to become suspicious of the organization when a garbled message is discovered on tapes. As Gengo and his team investigate, Godzilla and Anguirus quickly decipher the message and begin their own plan of action.
Why it matters: Godzilla and Anguirus against Gigan and King Ghidorah.
- Starring
- Hiroshi Ishikawa, Tomoko Umeda, and Yuriko Hishimi
- Director
- Jun Fukuda
- Box office
- $2 million
- Scores
- IMDb 5.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 67%
No. 13 · 1973 · Film · 1h 18m · 12th in story order
Godzilla vs. Megalon
Inventor Goro Ibuki creates a humanoid robot named Jet Jaguar. It is soon seized by an undersea race of people called the Seatopians. Using Jet Jaguar as a guide, the Seatopians send Megalon as vengeance for the nuclear tests that have devastated their society.
Why it matters: Jet Jaguar, the robot hero, and the campiest Godzilla film.
- Starring
- Katsuhiko Sasaki, Yutaka Hayashi, and Hiroyuki Kawase
- Director
- Jun Fukuda
- Box office
- $20 million
- Scores
- IMDb 4.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 38%
No. 14 · 1974 · Film · 1h 24m · 13th in story order
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
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.
Why it matters: The 20th-anniversary film introduces Mechagodzilla and King Caesar.
- Starring
- Masaaki Daimon, Kazuya Aoyama, and Reiko Tajima
- Director
- Jun Fukuda
- Box office
- $1 million
- Scores
- IMDb 6.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 86%
No. 15 · 1975 · Film · 1h 23m · 14th in story order
Terror of Mechagodzilla
A submarine expedition to salvage the remains of Mechagodzilla is thwarted by a massive dinosaur named Titanosaurus. An Interpol investigation leads biologist Ichinose to uncover the work of Dr. Mafune and his mysterious daughter Katsura. Aligned with the Black Hole Aliens, Katsura's life becomes entwined with the resurrected machine.
Why it matters: The last Showa film; Godzilla rested for nine years after it.
- Starring
- Katsuhiko Sasaki, Tomoko Ai, and Akihiko Hirata
- Director
- Ishirō Honda
- Box office
- $1 million
- Scores
- IMDb 6.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 43%
No. 16 · 1984 · Film · 1h 43m
The Return of Godzilla
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.
Why it matters: A direct sequel to 1954 that ignores every other Showa film; Godzilla is a threat again.
- Starring
- Keiju Kobayashi, Ken Tanaka, and Yasuko Sawaguchi
- Director
- Koji Hashimoto
- Box office
- $11 million on a $6 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.8
No. 17 · 1989 · Film · 1h 45m
Godzilla vs. Biollante
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.
Why it matters: A rose, a scientist's daughter and Godzilla cells.
- Starring
- Kunihiko Mitamura, Yoshiko Tanaka, and Masanobu Takashima
- Director
- Kazuki Ōmori
- Box office
- $7 million on a $5 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 75%
No. 18 · 1991 · Film · 1h 43m
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
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.
Why it matters: Time travellers from 2204 rewrite Godzilla's origin.
- Starring
- Katsuhiko Sasaki, Kosuke Toyohara, and Anna Nakagawa
- Director
- Kazuki Ōmori
- Box office
- $11 million on a $12 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 56%
No. 19 · 1992 · Film · 1h 42m
Godzilla vs. Mothra
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.
Why it matters: Mothra returns, with her dark twin Battra.
- Starring
- Tetsuya Bessho, Satomi Kobayashi, and Takehiro Murata
- Director
- Takao Okawara
- Box office
- $20 million
- Scores
- IMDb 6.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 78%
No. 20 · 1993 · Film · 1h 48m
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II
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.
Why it matters: The UN builds its own Mechagodzilla, and Godzilla gets a son.
- Starring
- Masahiro Takashima, Ryoko Sano, and Megumi Odaka
- Director
- Takao Okawara
- Box office
- $18 million on a $10 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 83%
No. 21 · 1994 · Film · 1h 48m
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla
A mysterious extraterrestrial being resembling Godzilla rapidly approaches Earth. The monster, dubbed SpaceGodzilla, lands to challenge the King of the Monsters.
Why it matters: A crystal-covered clone from space; the weakest Heisei entry.
- Starring
- Jun Hashizume, Megumi Odaka, and Zenkichi Yoneyama
- Director
- Kensho Yamashita
- Box office
- $20 million on a $10 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 5.8 · Rotten Tomatoes 63%
No. 22 · 1995 · Film · 1h 43m
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah
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.
Why it matters: Godzilla's heart goes critical; the Heisei finale.
- Starring
- Takuro Tatsumi, Yoko Ishino, and Yasufumi Hayashi
- Director
- Takao Okawara
- Box office
- $18 million on a $10 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 100%
No. 23 · 1998 · Film · 2h 18m · optional
Godzilla
French nuclear tests irradiate an iguana into a giant monster that viciously attacks freighter ships in the Pacific Ocean. A team of experts, including Niko Tatopoulos, conclude that the oversized reptile is the culprit. Before long, the giant lizard is loose in Manhattan as the US military races to destroy the monster before it reproduces and it's spawn takes over the world.
Why it matters: TriStar's American remake; its creature returns as Zilla in Final Wars. Optional.
- Starring
- Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, and Maria Pitillo
- Director
- Roland Emmerich
- Box office
- $379 million on a $130 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 5.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 20%
No. 24 · 1999 · Film · 1h 47m
Godzilla 2000: Millennium
An independent group of researchers called the Godzilla Prediction Network (GPN) actively track Godzilla as he makes landfall in Nemuro. Matters are further complicated when a giant meteor is discovered in the Ibaragi Prefecture. The mysterious rock begins to levitate as it's true intentions for the world and Godzilla are revealed.
Why it matters: Godzilla's Millennium return; a standalone story.
- Starring
- Takehiro Murata, Hiroshi Abe, and Naomi Nishida
- Director
- Takao Okawara
- Box office
- $25 million on a $8 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6
No. 25 · 2000 · Film · 1h 45m
Godzilla vs. Megaguirus
In an alternate timeline the original Godzilla is never defeated and repeatedly reemerges to feed on Japan's energy sources. A new inter-dimensional weapon called the Dimension Tide is created with the intent of eliminating Godzilla. However, the new weapon might also serve as a gateway to something far more sinister.
Why it matters: A black-hole weapon opens a portal for giant insects.
- Starring
- Misato Tanaka, Shosuke Tanihara, and Masanobu Katsumura
- Director
- Masaaki Tezuka
- Box office
- $11 million on a $8 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6 · Rotten Tomatoes 60%
No. 26 · 2001 · Film · 1h 45m
Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack
Godzilla has become a distant memory for Japan when the destruction of a US submarine raises alarms for Admiral Tachibana. His estranged daughter Yuri investigates the legend of the guardian monsters, who must rise to protect Japan against the vengeful spirits within Godzilla that seek to destroy both the nation and its people for the suffering they inflicted in the Pacific conflict.
Why it matters: Godzilla as the vengeful spirit of the war dead; a standalone fan favourite.
- Starring
- Chiharu Niiyama, Ryudo Uzaki, and Masahiro Kobayashi
- Director
- Shusuke Kaneko
- Box office
- $20 million on a $9 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7 · Rotten Tomatoes 65%
No. 27 · 2002 · Film · 1h 28m
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
JSDF pilot Akane has a fateful encounter when a new Godzilla emerges in Tateyama. As a countermeasure, a cyborg named Kiryu is constructed from the remains of the original. The machine is discovered to harbor the restless soul of the original monster as Akane must learn to find value in her own life as well.
Why it matters: Japan builds Kiryu from the 1954 Godzilla's bones.
- Starring
- Yumiko Shaku, Shin Takuma, and Kana Onodera
- Director
- Masaaki Tezuka
- Box office
- $16 million on a $9 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.6
No. 28 · 2003 · Film · 1h 31m
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
Mothra and her fairies return to Japan to warn mankind that they must return Kiryu to the sea, for the dead must not be disturbed. However Godzilla has survived to menace Japan leaving Kiryu as the nation's only defense.
Why it matters: Kiryu and Mothra against Godzilla; a direct sequel to Against Mechagodzilla.
- Starring
- Noboru Kaneko, Miho Yoshioka, and Mitzuki Koga
- Director
- Masaaki Tezuka
- Box office
- $12 million
- Scores
- IMDb 6.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 80%
No. 29 · 2004 · Film · 2h 5m
Godzilla: Final Wars
Humanity finally rids themselves of Godzilla, imprisoning him in an icy tomb in the South Pole. All is peaceful until various monsters emerge to lay waste to Earth's cities. Overwhelmed, humanity is seemingly saved by a race of benevolent aliens known as Xiliens. But not all is what it seems with these bizarre visitors. If humanity wishes to survive, they must reluctantly resurrect their most hated enemy, Godzilla.
Why it matters: A 50th-anniversary monster rally, then Godzilla rested for 12 years.
- Starring
- Masahiro Matsuoka, Rei Kikukawa, and Don Frye
- Director
- Ryuhei Kitamura
- Box office
- $12 million on a $20 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 54%
No. 30 · 2016 · Film · 2h
Shin Godzilla
When a massive, gilled monster emerges from the deep and tears through the city, the government scrambles to save its citizens. A rag-tag team of volunteers cuts through a web of red tape to uncover the monster's weakness and its mysterious ties to a foreign superpower. But time is not on their side - the greatest catastrophe to ever befall the world is about to evolve right before their very eyes.
Why it matters: A new Godzilla evolving in real time, and a satire of government red tape.
- Starring
- Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, and Satomi Ishihara
- Director
- Shinji Higuchi and Hideaki Anno
- Box office
- $78 million on a $15 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 87%
No. 31 · 2017 · Film · 1h 29m
Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters
A desperate group of refugees attempts to recolonize Earth 20,000 years after Godzilla took over. But one young man wants revenge above all else.
Why it matters: Part one of the anime trilogy: humans return to an Earth Godzilla has ruled for 20,000 years.
- Starring
- Mamoru Miyano, Takahiro Sakurai, and Kana Hanazawa
- Director
- Hiroyuki Seshita and Kobun Shizuno
- Box office
- $3 million
- Scores
- IMDb 6 · Rotten Tomatoes 75%
No. 32 · 2018 · Film · 1h 41m
Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle
Humanity's desperate battle to reclaim the Earth from Godzilla continues. The key to defeating the King of the Monsters may be Mechagodzilla, a robotic weapon thought to have been lost nearly 20,000 years ago.
Why it matters: Part two: a living city of nanometal Mechagodzilla.
- Starring
- Mamoru Miyano, Yuki Kaji, and Tomokazu Sugita
- Director
- Hiroyuki Seshita and Kobun Shizuno
- Box office
- $1 million
- Scores
- IMDb 5.8 · Rotten Tomatoes 60%
No. 33 · 2018 · Film · 1h 31m
Godzilla: The Planet Eater
With no means for defeating Godzilla Earth, mankind watches as King Ghidorah, clad in a golden light, descends on the planet. The heavens and earth shake once again as the war moves to a higher dimension.
Why it matters: Part three: King Ghidorah from another dimension.
- Starring
- Mamoru Miyano, Takahiro Sakurai, and Kana Hanazawa
- Director
- Kobun Shizuno and Hiroyuki Seshita
- Box office
- $2 million
- Scores
- IMDb 5.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 60%
No. 34 · 2021 · Series · 5h 12m
Godzilla Singular Point
Brought together by a mysterious song, a grad student and an engineer lead the fight against an unimaginable force that may spell doom for the world.
Why it matters: A 13-episode anime mystery about time and science; standalone.
- Starring
- Yume Miyamoto, Shoya Ishige, and Wataru Takagi
- Scores
- IMDb 6.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 56%
- Episodes
- 13
No. 35 · 2023 · Film · 2h 5m
Godzilla Minus One
In postwar Japan, Godzilla brings new devastation to an already scorched landscape. With no military intervention or government help in sight, the survivors must join together in the face of despair and fight back against an unrelenting horror.
Why it matters: A kamikaze pilot who did not die, and Japan with nothing left; won the Oscar for visual effects.
- Starring
- Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, and Yuki Yamada
- Director
- Takashi Yamazaki
- Box office
- $114 million on a $15 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 99%
Godzilla box office and budgets
The 34 Godzilla films with reported numbers have grossed $847 million worldwide on about $267 million in combined budgets, roughly 2.8 times what they cost. The biggest is Godzilla at $379 million, 45% of the franchise's total on its own, followed by Godzilla Minus One ($114 million) and Shin Godzilla ($78 million).
Measured against what it cost, the best return belongs to Godzilla Minus One, which made 7.6 times its $15 million budget. The weakest was Godzilla: Final Wars at 62% of its $20 million budget. As a rule of thumb, a film needs about two and a half times its budget at the box office to cover marketing and the theaters' cut.
The best and worst rated Godzilla movies
Across 35 rated titles, Godzilla averages 6.2 on IMDb. The top of the list is Godzilla at 7.6, then Godzilla Minus One (7.6) and Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (7). At the bottom: All Monsters Attack (3.9) and Godzilla vs. Megalon (4.9). Money and quality don't line up perfectly: the highest grosser, Godzilla, is only the 31st best rated.
- Godzilla7.6 · RT 94%
- Godzilla Minus One7.6 · RT 99%
- Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack7 · RT 65%
- Godzilla vs. Destoroyah6.9 · RT 100%
- Shin Godzilla6.9 · RT 87%
- The Return of Godzilla6.8
- Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla6.6
- Mothra vs. Godzilla6.5 · RT 93%
- Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster6.5 · RT 77%
- Godzilla vs. Biollante6.5 · RT 75%
Who appears in the most Godzilla movies
Kenji Sahara leads with 10 appearances as Kazuo Fujita and Jiro Torahata, ahead of Akihiko Hirata (8) and Akira Takarada (6). Counted from each title's top-billed cast.
| Actor | Role | Titles | First and latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenji Sahara | Kazuo Fujita / Jiro Torahata | 10 | King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) to Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) |
| Akihiko Hirata | Daisuke Serizawa / Dr. Shosuke Shigezawa | 8 | Godzilla (1954) to Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) |
| Akira Takarada | Hideto Ogata / Ichiro "Ichi" Sakai | 6 | Godzilla (1954) to Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) |
| Hiroshi Koizumi | Shoichi Tsukioka / Professor Shunsuke Miura | 6 | Godzilla Raids Again (1955) to Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003) |
| Ikio Sawamura | Witch Doctor / Honest Fisherman | 6 | King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) to Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) |
| Megumi Odaka | Miki Saegusa | 6 | Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) to Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) |
| Koichi Ueda | Former Lagos Island Soldier Ikehata / Marutomo Employee | 6 | Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) to Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003) |
| Yoshio Tsuchiya | Tajima, Member of Osaka Defense Corps / Controller of Planet X | 5 | Godzilla Raids Again (1955) to Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) |
| Jun Tazaki | General of the JSDF Eastern Army / Editor Maruta | 5 | King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) to Destroy All Monsters (1968) |
| Yoshibumi Tajima | Captain of the Shinsei-Maru No. 2 / Kumayama | 5 | King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) to All Monsters Attack (1969) |
| Akira Nakao | Commander Takaki Aso / Colonel Takaaki Aso | 5 | Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993) to Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003) |
| Kumi Mizuno | Miss Namikawa / Dayo | 4 | Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965) to Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) |
Godzilla directors and creators
17 filmmakers have directed or created Godzilla; Ishirō Honda has the most, with 8.
- Ishirō HondaGodzilla (1954), King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964), Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964), Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965), Destroy All Monsters (1968), All Monsters Attack (1969), and Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975)
- Jun FukudaEbirah, Horror of the Deep (1966), Son of Godzilla (1967), Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972), Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973), and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
- Takao OkawaraGodzilla vs. Mothra (1992), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993), Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995), and Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999)
- Masaaki TezukaGodzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000), Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002), and Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)
- Hiroyuki SeshitaGodzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017), Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle (2018), and Godzilla: The Planet Eater (2018)
- Kobun ShizunoGodzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017), Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle (2018), and Godzilla: The Planet Eater (2018)
- Kazuki ŌmoriGodzilla vs. Biollante (1989) and Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)
- Motoyoshi OdaGodzilla Raids Again (1955)
- Yoshimitsu BannoGodzilla vs. Hedorah (1971)
- Koji HashimotoThe Return of Godzilla (1984)
- Kensho YamashitaGodzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994)
- Roland EmmerichGodzilla (1998)
- Shusuke KanekoGodzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001)
- Ryuhei KitamuraGodzilla: Final Wars (2004)
- Shinji HiguchiShin Godzilla (2016)
- Hideaki AnnoShin Godzilla (2016)
How long it takes to watch every Godzilla movie
All 35 titles add up to 61 hours: 55 hours of film and 5 hours of series, counting every episode. That is about 31 two-hour evenings, or 7 days of ten-hour binges. The essentials cut it to 57 hours. The longest film is Godzilla at 2h 18m.
The 4 best rated films: Godzilla, Godzilla Minus One, Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, and Godzilla vs. Destoroyah.
Everything takes about 9 weeks; the essentials about 9 weeks.
Godzilla Minus Zero is out November 6, 2026. Track what you've watched on the timeline and it counts the hours left.
Which Godzilla movies can you skip?
2 titles can go without losing the main story. They are side stories, spin-offs or entries the later films ignore. Dropping them saves 3 hours.
- All Monsters Attack1969 · Film · 1h 10m · optionalA lonely boy dreams of Monster Island; mostly reused footage, skippable.
- Godzilla1998 · Film · 2h 18m · optionalTriStar's American remake; its creature returns as Zilla in Final Wars. Optional.
Upcoming Godzilla movies
- Godzilla Minus ZeroNovember 6, 2026
Common questions
What order should I watch the Godzilla movies in?
Toho's Godzilla films come in eras that each restart from the 1954 original. Watch Godzilla (1954) first, then pick an era: Showa (1955 to 1975), Heisei (1984 to 1995, one continuous story from The Return of Godzilla), or Millennium (1999 to 2004), which is mostly standalone films. Shin Godzilla (2016) and Godzilla Minus One (2023) stand alone. The MonsterVerse is a separate American series.
How many Godzilla movies and shows are there?
There are 35 titles in the Godzilla franchise: 34 films and 1 series, released from 1954 to 2023. 1 more is announced: Godzilla Minus Zero.
How long does it take to watch all the Godzilla movies?
About 61 hours for all 35 titles, counting every episode. The essentials only (33 titles) take about 57 hours.
What is the first Godzilla title in chronological order?
Godzilla, set in Tokyo, 1954. In release order the first is Godzilla (1954).
Which Godzilla titles can I skip?
All Monsters Attack and Godzilla. They are spin-offs, side stories or non-canon entries; the main story holds without them.
What is the next Godzilla release?
Godzilla Minus Zero, out November 6, 2026.
What is the best Godzilla movie?
By IMDb score, Godzilla (1954) at 7.6, followed by Godzilla Minus One at 7.6.
What is the highest-grossing Godzilla movie?
Godzilla (1998), with $379 million worldwide. Godzilla films have made $847 million in total.
Who has appeared in the most Godzilla movies?
Kenji Sahara, in 10 of them as Kazuo Fujita.
What is the longest Godzilla movie?
Godzilla, at 2h 18m.
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