5 Worst Godzilla movies (without Ferris Bueller)
What do YOU consider the worst Godzilla movies?
Forget for a moment that Hollywood movie we all agree is not a good Godzilla movie. (Even those of us who kind of like it—as it’s own thing—should agree on that.)
Deserving the title “King of the Monsters,” Godzilla centers one of the longest-running series in movie history. More than 70 years ago, the giant monster debuted in Japanese movie theaters in the 1954 kaiju movie Gojira—renamed Godzilla for Western audiences.
In the decades since, Godzilla has returned time and again. Sometimes as the bad guy, sometimes the good guy, sometimes the anti-hero. To fight giant robots, giant lobsters, giant space monsters, giant bugs, a giant turtle-thing (that wasn’t Gamera, calm down), a giant ape (maybe you heard about him), giant dinosaurs, giant winged things—plus, you know, giant plants—in like 40 movies, plus in comic books, on TV, video games, and way more.
With so many Godzilla stories, there are many arguments for which of them are the best. You and I might have a fun conversation where we each share our favorites.
But which of Godzilla’s movies are the worst?
Of course, a whole bunch of us would zero in on a specific movie. The first one made in the Hollywood. Which came out in 1998. And even starred a few familiar faces.
Fine. But, setting that particular movie aside, what else are the worst Godzilla movies?
“The King of Monsters has seen some truly great times,” remarks Basil Baradaran AKA The Asian Cinema Critic. “But that’s not always the case.”
In his video below, he shares his thoughts on (some of) Godzilla’s worst movies.
“But much has already been said of that abomination and insult to the world’s most enduring kaiju,” he says, referring to that Hollywood movie from 1989. “Instead, here I rustled up five more atrocious Godzilla films that sullied the king’s great name. Enjoy these wrecks that are on par with the destruction of Tokyo.”
5 of the WORST Godzilla Films (That Aren’t THAT One)
Which Godzilla movies he does talk about?
Godzilla: King of Monsters (1956)
“Raymond Burr ‘Forrest Gumps’ his way through the entirety of Ishiro Honda’s film, inserting himself where he shouldn’t be in scenes that end up playing out like bizarre fanfiction.”
Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000)
“It’s not exactly what we would call memorable. But it is the perfect film to watch if you’ve ever wanted to see Godzilla fight a Pokémon. The film is ostensibly about people making mistake after mistake until the film just sort of ends. Godzilla vs. Megaguirus is, in a few words, incredibly lame.”
Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017)
“The trailers seem to tell us endless thrills awaited. And then we were given a tiresome film about people stuck on a spaceship. It was like Alien—but only the scenes of the crew bickering. Godzilla doesn't even show up until the final few minutes. The sequels weren’t much better.”
Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)
“Godzilla versus Megalon is the absolute epitome of Godzilla’s campy era. It featured almost no Godzilla, some cheaply sourced stock footage, and some truly silly humanoid aliens. Megalon and the Seatopians managed to hijack Jet Jaguar, an Earth defense robot designed to protect the world. Think Ultron, but unfortunately not voiced by James Speder. (Though, can we all spend a moment to appreciate how good that would be?) Godzilla versus Megalon is as embarrassingly uncool as it looks.”
NOTE: Godzilla versus Megalon is also discussed (well, “discussed”) on Mystery Science Theater 3000 (2.12). More details HERE: MST3K: A Guide to the Giant Monster Movies of Mystery Science Theater 3000
All Monsters Attack (1969)
“What stood out to me the most was that despite the title promising us every monster attacking, this isn’t even a Godzilla film. It’s about a kid dreaming about Godzilla. The wild thing is that the base movie—as a comedy drama about a latch key kid foiling bank robbers—isn’t actually that terrible. The kid is a decent actor and everything else just operates on Home Alone logic. That alone could have made it an OK time. But shoehorning in the Godzilla films are so wholly unnecessary that it brings everything down with it.”
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Godzilla has returned in like 40 movies. There are many arguments for which are the best. But which of Godzilla’s movies are the worst?