With Legendary's newest kaiju film Godzilla vs. Kong doing big numbers through both streaming and box office sales, it's certainly a good time to be a monster movie fan. Godzilla vs. Kong succeeded in showing audiences what a lot of fans love about the genre -- namely cool special effects and pulse-pounding monster battles.
There's more to the genre, however, and while not every movie featuring Godzilla has the big-budget Hollywood effects that Godzilla vs. Kong does, there's still a lot there that can and should be enjoyed today. So for new fans or people simply looking for more kaiju action, consider checking out some of these monster classics.
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
Director Jun Fukuda introduced Mechagodzilla (Godzilla's mechanical counterpart, obviously) to the world with a bang in 1974. This movie features explosive monster fights, some effects that are impressive considering their age, and some of the most brutal beatdowns in franchise history.
It certainly seems like Godzilla has met his match at points in the film, but things unfortunately take a little while to get going before the climax. Still, anyone wanting to see more of Mecha G, as well as one of his and Godzilla's definitive confrontations, owe it to themselves to check out this movie.
Mothra (1961)
Fans who have been with Legendary's "Monsterverse" for a while will remember the insectoid monster Mothra from Godzilla: King of the Monsters. While her kaiju origins date back to a novel published in Japan, Mothra's big-screen debut came around in 1961 with the release of the aptly titled Mothra.
Fans of Kong are certain to enjoy this movie, as the plot involves unscrupulous businessmen attempting to exploit a monster (and her diminutive associates) for commercial gain. The movie also features a likable cast of characters that are sure to keep an audience engaged even when Mothra isn't on screen wrecking cities.
Gamera 2: Attack Of Legion (1996)
Gamera might not have quite the name recognition that Godzilla does in the West, but he's every bit as deserving of kaiju fame. Despite being a huge flying turtle that breathes atomic fire, one of Gamera's most notable gimmicks is his psychic connection with human characters.
Fans who enjoyed seeing Kong's personal bond with humans in Godzilla vs. Kong are likely to enjoy most Gamera movies, but director Shunsuke Kaneko's Gamera 2 stands out with its incredible kaiju suits, sets, and special effects in general. This one is part of a trilogy, too, so be sure to check out some other Gamera movies if Gamera 2 goes over well.
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah's plot is absolutely off the rails and in the best possible way. This movie involves time travel, dinosaurs in World War II, robots, Terminator rip-offs, laser gun battles, more time travel, and above all, a couple of earth-shaking battles between Godzilla and his greatest rival -- King Ghidorah.
People who enjoyed Godzilla vs. Kong for its silly fun will want to check this one out. Try watching this one with the gloriously cheesy '90s dub turned on for added enjoyment, and a little more of a "so bad its good" feel.
King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
The ultimate kaiju crossover flick, East meets West in a battle of titans that shakes the world to its core! While it might not look quite as impressive as its 2021 counterpart, audiences have to put some respect on the name of the movie that inspired the new one.
The classic King Kong vs. Godzilla is also worth watching to see where a lot of the visual inspiration for Godzilla vs. Kong comes from, such as Kong being helicoptered around or his propensity to attack Godzilla by forcing foreign objects down his throat.
Terror Of Mechagodzilla (1975)
Helmed by the legendary director of the original Godzilla, Ishiro Honda, Terror of Mechagodzilla was a much more cerebral take on Mechagodzilla and his use as a weapon to destroy all who oppose him. To be clear, however, the movie still has the campy Godzilla stuff that fans know and love, like dated special effects and wacky alien costumes.
However, the movie's story and character are well established, and the audience ends up sympathizing with their plight alongside a couple of giant monsters. The movie also features the human-monster connection element that makes Kong so compelling in Godzilla vs. Kong, as well as, of course, Mechagodzilla.
Godzilla (2014)
If Godzilla vs. Kong was a fan's introduction to Monsterverse films, it is absolutely worth it to go back and watch through 2014's Godzilla. This was the first movie that had the big guy stomping into American theatres in a long time, and director Gareth Edwards presents Godzilla with exactly the right amount of menace and gravitas.
While Godzilla vs. Kong opts for a more cartoonish and action-oriented vibe, this movie treats Godzilla like the force of nature he was intended to be from the beginning. Godzilla crashes into cities like a hurricane, and the sense of scale when he dukes it out with enemy monsters is almost overwhelming.
Godzilla, Mothra And King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001)
Regarded by some fans to be among the best Godzilla films ever, Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (typically abbreviated as GMK, helpfully) brings Godzilla back to his menacing roots, while also delivering some stand out kaiju action and great characters.
People who enjoyed seeing Godzilla act as more of a villain in vs. Kong will love this, because this is one of the meanest iterations of Godzilla in the history of the series. He tramples cities without a thought, torches fleeing civilians with his atomic breath, and beats down nearly every monster sent his way without breaking a sweat. It's called "All-Out Attack" for a reason.
Godzilla (1954)
The film that started it all, Ishiro Honda's 1954 classic is a classic for a reason; audiences were absolutely blown away by the debut appearance of the monster that would stomp across Japan for decades and decades to come. In addition to breakthrough special effects, '54's Godzilla delivers a sobering message about the hubris that seems to inevitably lead humanity to dark places.
While this one isn't necessarily "like" Godzilla vs. Kong per se (it's infinitely sadder), it's still absolutely required viewing for anybody with even a passing interest in the big G, or monsters in general. This film is legendary, and worth watching just to see where the whole story of Godzilla comes from.
Shin Godzilla (2016)
Helmed by the legendary director of anime classic Neon Genesis Evangelion, Hideaki Anno, Shin Godzilla is a movie that is in equal parts quirky and terrifying. The film takes a remarkably grounded approach to Godzilla, deciding to mainly focus on bureaucrats and scientists trying to find a solution to their monster problem.
"Politicians try to stop Godzilla" might not sound thrilling at first, but this one is a must see for fans who loved the city-wrecking carnage Godzilla and Kong inflicted on Hong Kong at the end of the new movie. Shin Godzilla has some of the rawest city destruction scenes in the franchise, and by the time Godzilla's finished lasering Tokyo, fans will probably need to collect their jaws from the floor.