When the original Godzilla was first released back in 1954, the movie received mixed reviews from critics, with some even predicting its commercial failure. They couldn't have been more wrong. With a total of 36 movies, numerous TV series, video games, books, and other merchandise, Godzilla went to become the longest-running movie franchise ever.
In today's list, we take a look at the highest-rated movies from the Godzilla franchise, so you don't have to spend hours watching them in front of your TV. So keep on scrolling to find out just which Godzilla movie took that number one spot.
10 'Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II' (1993) - IMDb Rating 6.6
Kicking off today's list is the 1993 movie Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, which was directed by Takao Okawara and stars Masahiro Takashima, Ryoko Sano, and Megumi Odaka. Even though it sounds like this movie is a sequel to 1974's Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, apart from the title, these two movies actually have nothing else in common. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II currently has a 6.6 rating on IMDb.
9 'Mothra vs. Godzilla' (1964) - IMDb Rating 6.6
Next on our list is the fourth movie in the Godzilla franchise. Mothra vs. Godzilla, which was released back in 1964. Directed by the legendary director Ishirō Honda and starring Akira Takarada, Yuriko Hoshi, and Hiroshi Koizumi, the movie tells a story of how humans turned to the insect-god Mothra to help them fight against Godzilla.
Most people, including even Godzilla fans, don't know that the insect-god had its own feature movie, Mothra, which was released in 1961. Just like Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, this movie also has a 6.6 rating on IMDb.
8 'Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah' (1991) - IMDb Rating 6.6
Let's move on to the next movie on our list — the 1991 Japanese movie Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, which was directed by Kazuki Ōmori. Godzilla vs. King Ghidora — which features actors like Megumi Odaka, Katsuhiko Sasaki, Akiji Kobayashi, and Robert Scott Field — is the eighteenth Godzilla movie and it currently holds a 6.6 rating on IMDb, which means it shares a spot with Mothra vs. Godzilla and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II.
7 'Godzilla vs. Biollante' (1989) - IMDb Rating 6.6
Next on the list is the 1989 movie Godzilla vs. Biollante, which is the seventeenth movie in the franchise. Directed by Kazuki Ōmori and starring Kunihiko Mitamura, Yoshiko Tanaka, and Megumi Odaka, this Godzilla installment features Godzilla going against a new genetically modified monster. Godzilla vs. Biollante has an IMDb rating of 6.6.
6 'Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla' (2002) - IMDb Rating 6.7
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla was released in 2002 and it serves as a direct sequel to the original Godzilla from 1954, ignoring all 25 previous movies and the events that had occurred. The movie follows Godzilla in an epic clash against its new nemesis, Mechagodzilla, which was developed by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. The movie was critically acclaimed and commercially very successful. It currently has a 6.7 rating on IMDb.
5 'Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster' (1964) - IMDb Rating 6.7
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, which was directed by Ishirō Honda, is the fifth movie in the Godzilla franchise. Starring Yosuke Natsuki, Hiroshi Koizumi, and Akiko Wakabayashi, the movie follows Godzilla who joins forces with Rodan and Mothra to defeat a new threat to humanity — a three-headed alien monster, Ghidorah. Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster currently has a 6.7 rating on IMDb.
4 'Shin Godzilla' (2016) - IMDb Rating 6.8
Let's move on to one of the most recent Godzilla movies, Shin Godzilla, which premiered in 2016. Shin Godzilla serves as the 31st movie in the Godzilla franchise. The movie — which is yet another reboot of the franchise — features Godzilla's origin story and Japan's first encounter with the King of the Monsters.
The movie received positive reviews from critics and the audience loved it as well — it currently has a 6.8 rating on IMDb.
3 'Godzilla vs. Destoroyah' (1995) - IMDb Rating 7.0
Next on the list is the 1995 movie Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, which was directed by Takao Okawara and stars Takuro Tatsumi, Yōko Ishino, and Yasufumi Hayashi among others. Apart from the King of the Monsters, the movie features some other fictional monsters such as Godzilla Junior and Destoroyah. The movie was one of the highest-grossing ones for that year and it got good reviews from critics. It has a 7.0 rating on IMDb.
2 'Godzilla, Mothra And King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack' (2001) - IMDb Rating 7.1
The runner-up on today's list is the 2001 movie Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, which is the 26th installment in the franchise. The movie was directed by Shusuke Kaneko and stars actors such as Chiharu Niiyama, Kaho Minami, and Kunio Murai among others. Apart from Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, and Baragon are also featured in the movie. It currently has a 7.1 rating on IMDb.
1 'Godzilla' (1954) - IMDb Rating 7.6
Wrapping the list up at spot number one is, of course, the original Godzilla movie from 1954, because nothing can really top the OG movie that created this whole universe. Godzilla was directed by Ishirō Honda and stars Akira Takarada, Momoko Kōchi, and Akihiko Hirata. Even though the movie got mixed reviews from critics, the audience loved it — it became a cult classic. It currently has a 7.6 rating on IMDb.