If you want to take a look at all themovies classifiable as giant monster films, there are some real heavy hitters that rank among the most groundbreaking works of fantasy/sci-fi in cinema history. There’s 1925’sThe Lost World, 1933’sKing Kong, and 1954’sGodzilla, for starters, alongside some more recent kaiju movies that found some level of critical success, including the 1990sGameratrilogy and 2013’sPacific Rim.
That overview shows that giant monster movies have been around for a while, and that’s a factor inmaking certain films in the genre kind of overlooked, or otherwise underappreciated. What follows is a rundown of some of the most worthwhile in this camp. Some are entirely obscure, while others are decently known, but perhaps deserving of more love than they tend to receive.
10’Rebirth of Mothra III' (1998)
Directed by Okihiro Yoneda
One of the most iconic monsters tied to theGodzillaseries is Mothra, who herself has had four solo films to date (all without the inclusion of the King of the Monsters himself). Among these wastheRebirth of Mothratrilogy, which came out around the same time as the aforementionedGameratrilogy, and wasn’t quite as good… though it did finish, it has to be said, on a high.
That high was 1998’sRebirth of Mothra III, which is the most action-packed and entertaining film of the trilogy, and one that proves memorable for featuring time travel and a novel version of King Ghidorah (well, a younger than usual Ghidorah).It’s loopy stuff, and you could call it shallow if you want, but it delivers the goods, and also provides plenty of entertainment value.
Rebirth of Mothra III
9’Godzilla vs. Megaguirus' (2000)
Directed by Masaaki Tezuka
The 2000s was an overallunderrated decade forGodzillamovies, since most of the Millennium era movies were released here, and there’s an argument to be made that all of them are some level of underrated. Perhaps the most unfairly criticized isGodzilla vs. Megaguirus… well, it’s this one or a certain 2004 movie that has both fans and detractors (but more on that one a bit later).
As forGodzilla vs. Megaguirus, it has a novel take toward depicting the King of the Monsters, serving as an alternate sequel of sorts to the original movie, whilealso standing out because of the main foe here: a giant dragonfly-like creature called Megaguirus. It takes some strange but sort of admirable narrative risks, and while it’s not the strongestGodzillamovie on a technical/special effects front, it’s still offbeat and distinctive enough to feel like a worthy entry in the series.
8’Mighty Joe Young' (1949)
Directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack
Image via RKO Radio Pictures
Just about anygiant monster movie featuring a big apeof some sort is going to live in the shadow ofKing Kong, but the film that probably came the closest to emerging from that shadow wasMighty Joe Young(1949). It helps that some of the people behind the originalKing Kongalso worked on this film, sure, including directorsMerian C. CooperandErnest B. Schoedsack, as well as writerRuth Rose.
The plot here is also similar, involving a particularly large primate being taken out of his element and shown publicly, which eventually ends in some kind of rampage.Both films are worth watching, of course, withMighty Joe Youngadmittedly not being quite as iconic, but it’s honestly got a good deal more to offer technically than some give it credit for. At least it’s potentially more well-known nowadays, after beingsomething of a box-office failureupon initial release.
Mighty Joe Young
7’Godzilla vs. Kong' (2021)
Directed by Adam Wingard
If you want to single out the best moviefeaturing both Godzilla and King Kong, it’s probably 2021’sGodzilla vs. Kong, in all honesty. Like, this one is undoubtedly dopey and provides little more than very shallow spectacle and action, but if you just want a popcorn blockbuster that goes down easy while featuring some very big monsters smacking the hell out of each other,Godzilla vs. Konghas your back.
You have to ignore all the other nonsense, though, including just about any scene that doesn’t have some sort of giant monster or robot in it. Thehuman-focused sequences here are particularly weak, but so long as you’re okay with hacking your way through them to get to the good stuff, the good stuff here is honestly really strong.
Godzilla vs. Kong
6’Death Kappa' (2010)
Directed by Tomoo Haraguchi
Death Kappais sort oflike a fever dream movie, mixing in just about every genre imaginable with very little by way of budget, all in all making for a mess of a film that’s also captivating.Sure, you could call it so-bad-it’s-good, if you felt so inclined, but there is some kind of twisted, bizarre, and maybe even unsettling magic to the energy this movie has.
As for the narrative (what little there is),Death Kappais about a water goblin growing to tremendous size to take down another giant monster that’s considerably more evil… yes, even more evil than the one referred to as “Death Kappa.” Thewhole movie has a bizarre visual style and sense of humor that can’t really be described with mere words; you just have to see the damn thing for yourself.
5’Godzilla vs. Megalon' (1973)
Directed by Jun Fukuda
To keep the whole “monster movies that are bad in fun ways” thing going, here’sGodzilla vs. Megalon, which is easilyone of the silliestGodzillafilms ever made. Megalon is a novel foe, and a monster that teams up with Gigan, who was previously inGodzilla vs. Gigan(unsurprisingly enough). To combat two monsters, Godzilla himself gets a teammate to help out: the robot Jet Jaguar, which can change its size.
Oh, and there’s also a race of beings from underwater called the Seatopians, and they want to conquer the non-watery parts of the planet, too, using those two villainous monsters as part of their scheme.Godzilla vs. Megalonis a movie that’s kind of falling apart at the seams, but there’s also a certain joy to how goofy it’s willing to get, best exemplified by Godzilla’s iconic flying kick, as seen in the film’s climactic battle.
4’God Raiga Vs. King Ohga' (2020)
Directed by Shinpei Hayashiya
Judging by the title and the early 2020s release, you might thinkGod Raiga Vs. King Ohgais some kind of attempt to cash in on 2021’sGodzilla vs. Kong, but it’s not quite that simple. It’s the third movie in a trilogy that began back in 2008, and it’s honestly one of the most baffling trio of films of all time, given each movie becomes more ridiculous, rough around the edges, chaotic, and enjoyable.
What begins as a cheap kaiju movie becomes something experimental and avant-garde in a comedic way by the time ofGod Raiga Vs. King Ohga. It is wild how cheap, unserious, and bizarre this movie gets, withmistakes intentionally left in and special effects done by people who either didn’t care or wanted to parody proper kaiju movies… or both, somehow. The resulting film isequal parts wonderful, terrible, and overlooked.
3’Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah' (1991)
Directed by Kazuki Ōmori
Rebirth of Mothra IIIwas not the only underrated kaiju movie of the 1990s to feature time travel, asGodzilla vs. King Ghidorahhad that well-worn science fiction concept play a role in the narrative, too. Here, most of the movie revolves around an attempt to go back in time to kill Godzilla before he gets too powerful, which is suggested to humanity by a mysterious group of time travelers known as the Futurians.
The broad strokes of the plot here aren’t too surprising if you’ve seen your fair share of kaiju movies, but the extent to whichGodzilla vs. King Ghidorahgets gonzodoes make it stand out.If you prefer some level of grounded drama in your giant monster movies, this one might not be for you. If, on the other hand,you’re okay with a good deal of goofiness, this one should be a blast.
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
2’The Super Inframan' (1975)
Directed by Hua Shan
If you’re someone whohappens to love martial arts moviesand kaiju flicks, thenThe Super Inframanmight well be the equivalent of cinematic heaven for you. The monsters aren’t always giant here, sure, but there is a bit of shape-shifting featured throughout. Even when the good guys and bad guys are of a more regular size, they are played by actors in (usually) goofy-looking suits, which is probably the most important thing.
The Super Inframanfeatures near-constant action, all the while beingabout a superhero of sorts;a man imbued with powers who becomes humanity’s best hope against an army of monsters that want to take over the world. It’s spectacular, silly, and wonderfully ambitious. Honestly, seeing monsters and martial arts combine in such a manner proves as enthralling as it is hilarious.
1’Godzilla: Final Wars' (2004)
Directed by Ryûhei Kitamura
Released on the 50th anniversary of the original movie,Godzilla: Final Warscould well have worked as aconclusion to theGodzillaseries as a whole, and it would’ve been a fittingly grand one. It’s a bombastic movie that throws as many monsters as it can into the one film, principally so Godzilla can kick all their asses one by one… or whatever anatomical feature they have that can be compared to an ass, at least.
It’sgot a stupid amount of action, both when it comes to the monster-focused scenes and even with some of the non-monster scenes, andGodzilla: Final Warscan also be described as stupid overall, too.That’s what makes it divisive, all the ridiculous aspects of it and the fact that everything’s blasted up even beyond 11 somehow, but if you approachFinal Warswith the right frame of mind, that’s also what makes this film so enjoyable.
