Hello!

Anyone out there also fans of the big G?! I am! I started watching Godzilla films since I was five!

Anyone remember that infamous moment when Godzilla flew?! Or, how about the time Godzilla AND Rodan both fought over custody of Godzilla Jr?

The following is a list of my top ten favorite Godzilla films of all time. This compendium is purely subjective, so feel free to agree or disagree with my choices!

(Ten=lowest)

10. King Kong vs Godzilla

Yeah, this happened.

This wasn’t my favorite Goji battle but he took on Kong and that was monumental at the time. I loved how back-and-forth their battle on Fuji was. I disliked however, the ability Kong received to draw energy from electricity.

That made no sense. Such an ability would logically fit Frankenstein’s monster.

Because of that and Kong’s clumsy look this ranks low on my list. Still, this is quite the entertaining movie if it made this list.

9. Terror of Mechagodzilla

Another classic!

This film pit Godzilla against both Mecha G and Titanosuarus.

The fact that Mecha G needed an ally to beat Godzilla seemed weak. Especially, when that ally is a big dino whose only attacks are his size and a mediocre wind blast. Not to mention, the title of this movie implies this movie is all about Mechagodzilla’s unending rampage. In reality Mechagodzilla seems milder than his last film. That, my friends, is a step down.

Nonetheless this is a classic film which showcases Godzilla as the good guy and defender of Japan. The action in this one is pretty good too.

8. Godzilla vs Destroyer

Ah, this one! This film brought tears to my eyes as a seven-year-old.

Who can forget burning Godzilla and the cruel Destoroyah who drops Godzilla Jr. from a terrible height!

This film brought Godzilla back as a force of destruction but managed to get the audience to feel sympathetic for him, especially with the way this film ends…

I remember this film for being a classic Godzilla film with all the right ingredients: a scary monster, a dramatic story and compelling human characters. If you haven’t watched this film I recommend you do.

7. Godzilla vs Biollante

What a classic this film was! Biollante, the mysterious creature created from plant matter and Godzilla’s own cells! The very concept of a hybrid monster that was part-Godzilla blew my mind when I received this as a birthday gift.

In addition to Biollante, Godzilla fights against a diamond mirror that can reflect his own rays back at him! Cool!

Godzilla vs Biollante doesn’t rank higher on my list, however, because Godzilla is a villain in this film. Not to mention it isn’t until about one-third of the way in that Godzilla actually shows up.

Nonetheless Godzilla vs Biollante was well-paced, action packed, contained a good cast of human characters, a compelling monster and the classic Godzilla on a rampage.

6. Godzilla vs King Ghidorah

If anyone else compiles a list of top ten Godzilla films I would be thunderstruck (pun intended) if this film were not on the list.

This film involves both Godzilla and King Ghidorah as forces of destruction and explores Godzilla’s origins.

Who can forget the fabulous Mecha King Ghidorah?! Wasn’t he awesome! Talking about him makes me want to re-watch this film for the twentieth time!

This film was well-paced, told a compelling story and featured Ghidorah prominently without becoming too much about the famous dragon. I give this film four-and-a-half stars out of five.

5. Godzilla vs Hedorah

Ever find that monster that you just can’t find a way to like? That’s Hedorah.

This film features the trash monster as a mysterious and seemingly-unconquerable force that keeps growing. Even his eyes were scary! They looked human and they shot lasers! Hedorah actually made me worry Godzilla was in trouble. That alone makes for a good story: a mysterious nemesis with no apparent weakness.

If you haven’t watched this thriller I highly recommend you do.

4. Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla

Speaking of unconquerable enemies…

Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla is truly a dramatic story and one for the ages.

This film showcases the mysticism of the Showa series that simply could not be re-captured. From signs in the sky to a mystical monster in a mountain to an ominous black mountain this classic had me hooked.

Mechagodzilla shines here as a top villain of Gojira’s and perhaps his most powerful opponent ever. The battle between them is one for the ages and at times hard to watch.

For dramatic storytelling, a nigh-invincible opponent, good plot lines with the human characters and amazing music this is easily one of my favorite Godzilla movies.

In fact, I can re-watch this movie twice in the same week!

With appearances from Anguirus and King Ghidorah (stock footage) what’s not to like?

3. Ghidrah the Three Headed Monster

‘Simply amazing!’

That is how I describe this film. The Showa era is the best Godzilla era for a reason.

Within this dramatic story Godzilla turns from force of nature to a reluctant hero, and so does Rodan! The two team up with Mothra to beat a monster rivaling all their power combined: Ghidorah.

I absolutely love this movie! Rodan is showcased strongly, Godzilla as a wrecking ball of devastation, Mothra as a peacemaker and Ghidorah as a massive juggernaut. I fell in love with the music, the campiness and the fact that Godzilla, my favorite monster, became a good guy here.

I give this film a 9.1 rating.

2. Destroy All Monsters

This is quite simply the BEST Godzilla movie of the Showa Era.

Numerous monsters are corralled on a place called Monster Island and contained by humans. Sounds like Godzilla meets Jurassic Park! Needless to say the monsters get out and we are treated to multiple sequences of monster action with kaiju team-ups!

I first watched this film on VHS shortly before my birthday. I was enthralled with the story, the monster battles and the classic soundtrack. I was rooting for Godzilla all the way but seeing him as part of a bigger world of monsters upped the wow factor!

This is an absolute must-watch for Godzilla fans. Should Legendary Pictures create its own reboot of this film Godzilla fans everywhere would be thrilled. Much as I would be!

This film earns a solid 9.3 rating for its stellar action, classic monsters, captivating story and wonderful pacing.

1. Godzilla Final Wars          

Godzilla Final Wars is the total package and the top Godzilla film of all time.

This film makes use of a good storyline that stars interesting human characters and ties back into the monsters. What’s more we get over a dozen monsters brilliantly redesigned in a sensible plot; the monsters are used by aliens to fight Godzilla. Godzilla has to fight each monster and ultimately take on the Xilians who are behind the attacks.

In this film Godzilla is an unquestioned badass and King of the Monsters. His look is a hybrid of his 2000’s look and his Heisei design, which is a cool look!

My favorite moments are the battle on Mt. Fuji, the ascension of Godzilla in Antarctica, and of course the final battle in a destroyed Tokyo.

I can watch this film many times over.  Because of such a good story, good use of monsters and the use of Godzilla as an ally (rather than a merciless enemy) I give this film a 9.5 rating.

If you haven’t watched this film I recommend you go out and see it today!