It is an exceptional week for giant monster enthusiasts as November marks the seventy-second anniversary of the kaiju's initial cinematic appearance, known as Godzilla Day. Alongside this milestone, Godzilla Minus Zero has arrived in cinemas as the highly anticipated sequel to Japan's massive 2023 blockbuster Godzilla Minus One. While the creature enjoys a prominent footprint in Hollywood productions such as Godzilla x Kong, new instalments originating from his homeland in Japan under director Takashi Yamazaki continue to captivate global audiences.
Where the American MonsterVerse franchise leans heavily toward colourful monster brawls reminiscent of the Showa Era films from the sixties and seventies, Toho studio's recent Japanese features embrace a much darker tone that channels the original nuclear terror. If watching the recent Minus films leaves you eager to delve deeper into the rich cinematic history of the radioactive lizard, here are five essential movies available to stream immediately.
Godzilla (1954)
Director Ishirō Honda's seminal classic remains remarkably powerful over seven decades after its release. Stark and serious in tone, the film portrays Godzilla as an ancient, terrifying force awakened by hydrogen-bomb tests that reduces Tokyo to rubble with atomic breath. It is a deeply resonant achievement, made all the more stunning given that it reached cinemas less than a decade after the bombing of Hiroshima. You can rent or buy the film on Amazon and Apple TV.
Destroy All Monsters (1968)
For viewers seeking out-and-out kaiju carnage akin to the monster clashes in Godzilla Minus Zero, this all-star rumble stands as an unbeatable choice. Godzilla is joined by an incredible roster including King Ghidorah, Mothra, Rodan, Anguirus, and Minilla for an epic final showdown. The delightfully bonkers plot featuring evil aliens and lunar bases adds an extra layer of pure entertainment to the spectacle. The movie is available on Apple TV.
Godzilla Vs. Hedorah (1971)
Audiences who appreciate the sociopolitical commentary found in the newer Minus films will find much to admire in the arrival of Hedorah, commonly known as the Smog Monster. Representing the severe pollution crisis facing post-war Japan, this sentient sludge creature brings dark undertones paired with a psychedelic explosion of vibrant colours and trippy visuals. You can stream this unique entry on Apple TV.
The Return Of Godzilla (1984)
Stripping away the lighter excesses of the Showa Era, the first film of the Heisei Era served as an effective reboot following a nine-year franchise hiatus. Operating as a direct sequel to the 1954 original, it restored a serious tone while utilising nineteen-eighties production values to elevate the scale of city-shattering destruction. While it serves as a solid follow-up for fans of Minus One, it is currently available in the UK with an American dubbed audio track. You can find it on Amazon.
Shin Godzilla (2016)
As the most recent Toho release prior to Minus One, this feature stands out as one of the most unconventional entries in the entire saga. Featuring distinct evolutionary designs for the title monster, the film functions as a dark bureaucratic satire observing inefficient government agencies struggling to respond to an unprecedented national emergency. You can rent or buy the movie on Amazon and Apple TV.
Godzilla Minus Zero is currently playing in cinemas across the UK, US, Japan, and international territories.
