Godzilla films have broken the 20 film mark, a feat I doubt will ever be equaled by any other single movie character. Although many of these films haven't been released in the US, most fans happily pay to import them. Godzilla has a very strange timeline, so we hope this short piece will help you understand it a bit more.

Time Period: Info:

1954-1955 During this period Godzilla appears. These movies are written in the light of showing the horror of Nuclear radiation/warfare and have a very sober effect.

1962-1964 This period ignores the 1954-1955 time period, consisting of movies where Godzilla is seen as a evil menace (winner or loser) fighting other monsters.

1964-1975 This period disregards all previous periods. Commonly know as the "Godzilla vs. Monster X" period, this time span consists entirely of formula movies. In the better part of these movies, Godzilla, with or without the help of one of his friends, beats the tar out of a monster invading earth (frequently controlled by space aliens). These movies are the true classics (aside from the first), a bit cheesy, but fun to watch once you accept the lack or realism.

Beginning of the new series (1984-1995)

1984-1989 This period ignores all previous period except for 1954. The movies are mostly the return of Godzilla from the first movie, explaining that he was not destroyed, but hibernated beneath the ocean.

1991 Milestone in the new series. The yeah Godzilla vs. Mechakingghiorah is released. Time travelers movie the Godzillasaurus from the Pacific island at which it was mutated to another island. Godzilla was mutated by a Nuclear submarine accident in the 1970's at the new island, causing a meaner, more destructive version. This version was feature for the rest of the films to date.

1992-1995 The series continues using the 1991 Godzilla, and continually ignoring the 1962-1975 period. This period continues until Godzilla melts down from his own radiation in

1995. The wait for the next Japanese series begins...

Godzilla has even spawned spinoff monsters to get thier own series. To learn more about his many foes and friends, please check this fine reference

To get some fine reviews and a short synopsis of each film, this archive is very handy.

Godzilla Trivia

Did you know...

.. how Gojira (Godzilla in Japanese) was named? According to Eiji Tsuburaya, the creator of Godzilla: "At the time, there was a tough-looking guy working on the Toho lot. His nickname was 'Gojira'. We just adopted it for our monster. It caught on and certainly has immortalized him!"

...that when GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS was filmed, it cost 62,893,455 yen (about the equivalent of $900,000) and was the most expensive movie ever made in Japan at that time? This would equal about $65 million today. For comparative purposes, GODZILLA VS SPACE GODZILLA cost $12 million to make.

...that Japanese actor Kenji Sahara has appeared in 11 Godzilla films? See if you can spot his appearances in KING KONG VS GODZILLA, GHIDRAH THE THREE HEADED MONSTER, GODZILLA VS THE THING, SON OF GODZILLA, DESTROY ALL MONSTERS, GODZILLA'S REVENGE, GODZILLA VS THE COSMIC MONSTER, TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA, GODZILLA VS KING GHIDORAH, GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA and GODZILLA VS SPACE GODZILLA. Whew!

...that a damage tally for GODZILLA 1985 was estimated at 6 trillion yen? That's for all the military equipment used including the Super-X and maser tanks plus damaged and destroyed buildings in Shinjuku, equipment used to lure Godzilla to Mt. Mihara and rebuilding the Iihama Nuclear Plant.

...how Godzilla's roar was created? Akira Ifukube, the composer responsible for the music in several Godzilla movies, ran a glove over a contrabass string!

...that Godzilla films released in Germany before GODZILLA 1985 had their storylines altered so that many of Godzilla's opponents were either sent or created by Dr. Frankenstein? Apparently this was an attempt to add marquee value to Godzilla films.

...that GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER was originally written for King Kong instead of Godzilla?

...that Godzilla appeared in disguise on an episode of "Ultra Q" and an episode of "Ultraman"? He was "Gomes" in the Ultra Q episode "Gomes vs Litra" and "Kira" in the Ultraman episode "Ultraman vs Kira".

...that GIGANTIS, THE FIRE MONSTER was originally to be called "The Volcano Monsters"? This was supposed to be an Americanized version that would have new footage of the monsters in the U.S. and English-speaking actors but the project was abandoned in favor of GIGANTIS, THE FIRE MONSTER.

...that Marvel's Godzilla comic was not canceled by Marvel but by Toho?

...that the end of the Marvel Godzilla series was not the end of Godzilla in Marvel Comics? One of Godzilla's opponents, an evil scientist named Dr. Demonicus, captured him and mutated him to the point where he no longer resembles his Toho self (how convenient!). Dr. Demonicus has Godzilla attack Iron Man in Iron Man #192 and #193 and never refers to Godzilla as "Godzilla" but as "my old enemy".

...that Tri-Star originally wanted to pit Godzilla against King Ghidorah in the U.S. Godzilla movie? Tri-Star's agreement with Toho allowed them to use any monster except Mothra and King Ghidorah. Toho wanted the same amount Tri-Star paid for the rights to Godzilla, rumored to be $10 million!!

...that there was an attempt in 1983 to make a U.S. Godzilla movie? Steve Miner, director of FOREVER YOUNG, FRIDAY THE 13TH PART III, MY FATHER THE HERO acquired the rights to Godzilla and commissioned Fred Dekker (who later directed ROBOCOP 3) write a script. The script called for Godzilla to be a "protosaurus", a kind of nuclear-powered dinosaur awakened by an accidental nuclear missile launch by an orbiting satellite into the sea. Godzilla attacked San Francisco looking for it's baby who was found dead after battling a Soviet sub. The carcass of the baby was being studied in a military lab in the Presidio. Miner tried to obtain financing for the movie for over 2 years but unfortunately, his rights to Godzilla expired.

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