12. Destroy All Monsters (1968)
We start our list with a Toho-produced kaiju movie. The ninth movie of theGodzillafranchise,Destroy All Monstersis a crossover event that brings Godzilla and his monster comrades to one island, where they become subjected to the control of aliens known as Kilaaks.
Any fan of the giant lizard will find joy in seeing him join forces with the monsters he fought before. Likewise,Destroy All Monstersalso features one of Godzilla’s greatest battles against King Ghidorah.
As a favorite among fans, this film certainly lives up to its title.
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11. Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)
In the late-2000s, DreamWorks had a focus on spoofing genres—and in 2009, they took their shot at the creature-feature B-movie genre withMonsters vs. Aliens.
Per the title, this movie follows a ragtag team of monsters who are tasked with saving the world from a villainous alien genius. And with its fresh 3D format, it makes for an action-packed adventure for kids.
Effort, humor, and heart went into paying homage to notable sci-fi B-movies of history, includingAttack of the 50 Foot Woman,The Blob,Mothra,The Fly, and pretty much every other alien invasion movie.
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10. The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
The very year beforeGodzillahit cinemas, there wasBeast From 20,000 Fathoms. Based on a story by sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury, this kaiju movie centers on a frozen dinosaur that’s revived and evolved to spread relentless destruction upon its wake.
Fans can see the seeds sowed by this movie, whichGodzillawould borrow and improve upon. For one thing, they both serve as parables warning against the use of atomic weapons and the dangers of manipulating science. It makes for an eerie monster feature.
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9. Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster (1964)
The three-headed King Ghidorah is Godzilla’s greatest adversary, who made its first appearance in 1964 with its self-titled movie.
King Ghidorah made a huge impression as the destructive alien-dragon that wiped away the civilization on planet Venus. With Earth as its next target, all hope rests on Godzilla, Rodan, and Mothra.
With this being Ghidorah’s debut and the first instance of a Godzilla team-up, there were high expectations for the monster-on-monster combat—and it successfully delivered on them.
Combine that with Detective Shindo’s interesting character dilemma and you have an unforgettable Shōwa Godzilla movie.
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8. Mothra (1961)
Here we have a Toho kaiju movie without Godzilla!Mothraintroduces us to the world’s most famous giant insect. Though technically a monster movie, Mothra is really more of a mystical deity than a destructive monster in the style of Godzilla.
When entrepreneur Nelson exploits an island’s people and resources, the moth-like behemoth emerges to save the day.Mothrais never shy with its handling of themes of environmentalism and exploitation, and that just makes Mothra’s lore even more grand and compelling.
With the kaiju’s memorable design and empathetic traits, Mothra became one of the most beloved creatures in movie history.
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7. Cloverfield (2008)
Back in 2008,Cloverfieldwas an absolute sensation. Its mysterious marketing campaign and the involvement of J. J. Abrams hyped audiences to check out this found footage film.
And its powerful, underlying mystery spawned an equally intriguing universe that explained the origins of the Cloverfield monster.
As a kaiju film,Cloverfieldis a Matt Reeves project that properly builds up its set pieces—the six main leads and their starting positions—before unleashing the monster on New York City.
While the found footage gimmick may seem tired by today’s standards,Cloverfieldwas a pioneer—and it still feels fresh and effective now.
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6. Colossal (2016)
In this overlooked gem of 2016, Anne Hathaway stars as Gloria, an unemployed writer who leaves her boyfriend, becomes an alcoholic, and flees to her hometown.
There, she discovers a mysterious link that exists between her and a sudden kaiju attack in Seoul, Korea. Yup,Colossalis a monster comedy where Gloria can remotely control a reptilian giant by dancing.
ButColossalhas a lot more depth than you’d initially expect, largely due to its exploration of emotional maturity, flagrant nihilism, and toxic friendships. Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis help propel this kaiju comedy, making it both meaningful and relevant to present viewers.
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5. Pacific Rim (2013)
Leave it to the ever-artistic Guillermo del Toro to wield his influence to craft what essentially feels like a live-action mecha anime.
WithPacific Rim, del Toro largely took inspiration fromNeon Genesis EvangelionandGundamto create a world where kaijus surface from the Pacific and mechas are the only ways to stop them.
What makesPacific Rimstand out from otherTransformers-like blockbusters is the humanity at its core. Del Toro pays great focus to the emotional toll of his characters—particularly Mako and Pentecost—that pays off its down-to-earth action.
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4. Shin Godzilla (2016)
For Toho’s third reboot of the iconic lizard monster, they needed a more suitable, modern story to honor its roots and a bleaker subtext to make the entire premise even scarier. Fortunately,Shin Godzilladid all of that with its conspiracy-based edge.
The most noticeable change in this reboot is Godzilla’s updated design. The advancements in special effects help give it a more menacing look while still honoring its costumed origins.
Plus, Godzilla’s attacks are more horrific and realistic this time around. Fresh from the Fukushima nuclear meltdown and the Tōhoku earthquake, this is the Godzilla that Japan needs to embrace again.
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3. The Host (2006)
Bong Joon-ho is known for infusing his films—no matter the genre—with a satirical edge and thought-provoking identity. That’s no different forThe Host, his first attempt at a monster blockbuster.
Song Kang-ho plays Gang-du, a lowly vendor whose daughter Hyun-seo is abducted by a squid-like creature, leading him to rescue her. As a kaiju film, the tension and terror are tight, especially during the chase scenes.
Even with its simple monster premise, Bong Joon-ho fires on all cylinders with his subtle satire where the Americans are deceptive, the government is incompetent, the protestors are hypocritical, and the lower-class is left to deal with most of the consequences.
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2. King Kong (1933)
It may seem weird to regard 1933’sKing Kongas a kaiju film, butKing Kong’s success was a breakthrough moment—not just for the kaiju genre, but monster movies as a whole.
This monster masterpiece by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack helped pioneer the possibilities of monster cinema with stop-motion techniques and one of history’s most iconic beasts of all time.
Despite its technical limitations,King Kongis an effective horror film. Its seedy execution helps wring out the terror lurking in the dense jungles and their chilling prehistoric creatures.
And when the Eighth Wonder of the World shows up, every impression he makes is legendary, culminating in a great fight on top of the Empire State Building. A true kaiju classic.
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1. Godzilla (1954)
When it comes to true classics, what other kaiju film could possibly top the originalGodzilla(also known asGojira)?
Back in 1954,Godzillashook the world when it unleashed one of the most terrifying monsters to ever be seen on the big screen. And its release was timely, when Japan was still reeling from the aftermath of World War II and the atomic bomb explosions.
Godzillacemented the template for kaiju films: man manipulates nature, nature brings forth a massive city-wrecking threat, and man fights back. It’s as effective today as it was back in 1954.
And it’s no surprise thatGodzilla’s outstanding legacy led to a franchise, tons of crossovers, and a firm spot in pop culture.
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