Godzilla, the King of the Monsters, is an epic kaiju movie franchise that originated with the classic 1954 film of the same name from the Japanese entertainment company known as Toho Co., Ltd. Since then, the series has expanded to over 30 Japanese films made by Toho and 5 American films made by TriStar Pictures and Legendary Pictures. Toho’s Godzilla franchise has been divided into various eras, and this article explains each one.
Shōwa era (1954-1975)
All Shōwa Era Godzilla Films
| Film | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Godzilla | 1954 |
| Godzilla Raids Again | 1955 |
| King Kong vs. Godzilla | 1962 |
| Mothra vs. Godzilla | 1964 |
| Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster | 1964 |
| Invasion of Astro-Monster | 1965 |
| Ebirah, Horror of the Deep | 1966 |
| Son of Godzilla | 1967 |
| Destroy All Monsters | 1968 |
| All Monsters Attack | 1969 |
| Godzilla vs. Hedorah | 1971 |
| Godzilla vs. Gigan | 1972 |
| Godzilla vs. Megalon | 1973 |
| Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla | 1974 |
| Terror of Mechagodzilla | 1975 |
The Shōwa era of Godzilla films is the initial series of pictures that were produced during the reign of Japan’s former Emperor Shōwa.
Godzilla appeared in 15 films during this time period, designed to traverse the character’s moral arc. The original 1954 film by Ishiro Honda introduced the monster as a metaphor for the atomic bomb and the fear it incited in the hearts of Japan’s citizens. Its success demanded a sequel, so Toho immediately went on to create Godzilla Raids Again, to be released the following year. While it was not nearly as profitable, it inspired additional kaiju films with monsters that became part of the overall franchise.
Over the years, the series evolved from dark, allegorical storytelling into more lighthearted, action-packed monster battles. Shōwa films introduced iconic kaiju like Mothra, King Ghidorah, and Mechagodzilla, and often depicted Godzilla as a protector of humanity rather than a destructive force. Known for their practical effects, miniature sets, and “suitmation,” these films remain beloved for their creativity and cultural impact on the monster movie genre.
Heisei Era (1984-1995)
All Heisei Era Godzilla Films
| Film | Release Date |
|---|---|
| The Return of Godzilla | 1984 |
| Godzilla vs. Biollante | 1989 |
| Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah | 1991 |
| Godzilla vs. Mothra | 1992 |
| Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II | 1993 |
| Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla | 1994 |
| Godzilla vs. Destoroyah | 1995 |
After a nearly decade-long dry spell of no Godzilla films, Toho rebooted the franchise with 1984’s The Return of Godzilla. This film was an early example of a modern phenomenon, in which a reboot ignores the continuity of the majority of a film’s franchise except for the first entry. As such, The Return of Godzilla became the new canonical sequel to the original 1954 film.
This period of Godzilla films is known as the Heisei Era, named after the political regime of Emperor Akihito. Heisei is a Japanese term that defines the expression of achieving peace worldwide.
The Heisei Era redefined Godzilla with more serious and interconnected storylines, focusing on the monster’s origins, evolving powers, and complex relationships with other kaiju. This era also reinstated Godzilla as a powerful, uncontrollable force, often serving as both a destructive and protective figure in Japan’s cinematic landscape.
Millennium Era (1999-2004)
All Millennium Era Godzilla Films
| Film | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Godzilla 2000: Millennium | 1999 |
| Godzilla vs. Megaguirus | 2000 |
| Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack | 2001 |
| Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla | 2002 |
| Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S | 2003 |
| Godzilla: Final Wars | 2004 |
The Millennium Era of Godzilla films marked a fresh, creative approach to the franchise, with each movie (except one) functioning as a standalone story or alternate continuity from the previous installments. This era began with Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999) as a direct response to the 1998 American Godzilla film, re-establishing Toho’s version of Godzilla.
These films experimented with new kaiju, advanced special effects, and innovative takes on Godzilla’s character and origins, often portraying him as a force of nature or an anti-hero. The era concluded with Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), a high-energy celebration of the franchise’s 50th anniversary, featuring a massive roster of monsters and nods to Godzilla’s long cinematic history.
Reiwa Era (2016-present)
All Reiwa Era Godzilla Films
| Film | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Shin Godzilla | 2016 |
| Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (animated) | 2017 |
| Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle (animated) | 2018 |
| Godzilla: The Planet Eater (animated) | 2018 |
| Godzilla Minus One | 2023 |
After America’s first well-received Godzilla film, Toho enlisted the aid of Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, creators of the legendary anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, to produce Shin Godzilla. This film was a complete return to form for the Japanese film franchise, and it sets the continuity back before the original film, reimagining the first appearance of Godzilla in a more modern metaphor.
The Reiwa Era brings a mix of live-action and animated films, with Shin Godzilla presenting a fresh, political take on Godzilla as an evolving creature and a symbol of modern crises in Japan. The anime trilogy offers a futuristic storyline set in space, exploring humanity’s exile and return to an Earth dominated by Godzilla. The newest installment, Godzilla Minus One, returns to a postwar setting, re-emphasizing the darker, catastrophic origins of Godzilla.