Japanese Monster Movies

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 7 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #464 in Entertainment, #10,981 overall

Welcome to Kaiju central!

Japanese monster movies have been a fan favorite for more than 50 years. Godzilla, Gamera, Mothra, and all the rest have been reaking havoc on downtown Tokyo for more than half a century. The first film, "Godzilla", was first released in the United States in 1955 in Japanese-American communities only. In 1956, it was adapted by an American company into "Godzilla: King of the Monsters!", edited and with added principal scenes featuring Raymond Burr, and this version became an international success.

The original Godzilla was greatly inspired by the popularity of the 1952 re-release of King Kong, and the 1953 success of "The beast from 20,000 fathoms". "Godzilla" would go on to inspire "Gorgo", "Gamera", "Coverfield", and many others.

The name "Godzilla" is a romanization by the film production company Toho Company Limited, of the original Japanese name "Gojira" — which is a combination of two Japanese words: gorira - 'gorilla' and kujira - 'whale'. The word alludes to the size, power and aquatic origin of Godzilla. "Gojira" was allegedly the nickname of a large employee of Toho, but in the 50 years since the film's original release, no one claiming to be the employee ever stepped forward and no photographs have ever surfaced.

Some of my fondest movie watching memories as a kid was sitting in front of the tube every Saturday afternoon. Channel 11 showed three movies in a row. The first was a Charlie Chan movie, the second was aways a Tarzan movie, and then came my favorite, the monster movie!

Every Saturday afternoon, some guy in a rubber suit would stomp on Tokyo for two glorious hours. I don't know how many times I have seen these movies, but it doesn't matter. I will keep watching them forever! No matter how many times I see them, they still make me laugh. My kids seem to get just as big a kick out of them as I do.

I will try to bring you a decent selection of these old classics. Some are hard to find these days, but I will do my best. I hope you enjoy these as much as I still do. 

GODZILLA DVDs 

Godzilla, the king of all monsters! Since about 1955 the Big "G" has been stomping through Tokyo on a regular basis. He has faced some pretty fierce opponents and a few pretty lame ones, but to a true fan, they are all great movies.

Here is a selection of some of the best Godzilla movies out there. Starting with his first appearance, and on to his most recent.

Godzilla - Final Wars

Godzilla - Final Wars

The most recent Godzilla movie. The effects aren't more...1 point

Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah - Giant Monsters All-Out Attack

Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah - Giant Monsters All-Out Attack

They changed Godzilla's appearance a bit for this, more...1 point

Gojira / Godzilla Deluxe Collector's Edition (Gojira/Godzilla [1954] / Godzilla, King of the Monsters [1956])

Gojira / Godzilla Deluxe Collector's Edition (Gojira/Godzilla [1954] / Godzilla, King of the Monsters [1956])

The original is still the best! See Big G in his f more...0 points

Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla / Godzilla vs. Destoroyah

Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla / Godzilla vs. Destoroyah

2 for 1 special!!! These are both pretty good. You more...0 points

Godzilla - Tokyo S.O.S.

Godzilla - Tokyo S.O.S.

This one focused a bit more on the people in the s more...0 points

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah / Godzilla & Mothra: The Battle for Earth

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah / Godzilla & Mothra: The Battle for Earth

Good old fashioned, 1960's, lizard stomping fun!0 points

Godzilla 2000

Godzilla 2000

This was a nice surprise. It was an interesting id more...0 points

Godzilla vs. Gigan

Godzilla vs. Gigan

They spend a bit to much time on unimportant junk more...0 points

Godzilla vs. Megaguirus

Godzilla vs. Megaguirus

It took a long time for this one to get going, and more...0 points

Bambi vs Godzilla 

I laughed my ass off the first time I saw this. Yeah, I know it's old news now, but it's still funny!

bambi meets godzilla

bambi meets godzilla. an old cartoon. brilliant.

Runtime: 91
692776 views
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GAMERA DVDs 

A flying turtle dammit! How can you not love that? The forces of good will not be extinguished! I think Gamera popped up in the 60's. There was quite a few of the old black and white movies made, but then he disappeared for a while. But in the 90's he came back bigger and better than ever, sporting more spikes, and spitting more fire.

Gamera - The Brave (Widescreen)

Gamera - The Brave (Widescreen)

Toru Aizawa, a 11 year old boy suddenly finds a ti more...0 points

Gamera Limited Edition Box Set

Gamera Limited Edition Box Set

This is a great deal. I jumped on it as soon as I more...0 points

Gamera - The Ultimate Collection

Gamera - The Ultimate Collection

This has 3 of the old classic Gamera movies in it. more...0 points

Attack Of The Monsters (aka Gamera vs. Guiron)

Attack Of The Monsters (aka Gamera vs. Guiron)

You wake up, have breakfast, and watch a flying tu more...0 points

Gamera - Attack of Legion

Gamera - Attack of Legion

Check out our favorite titanic terrapin put a stop more...0 points

Gamera - The Guardian of The Universe

Gamera - The Guardian of The Universe

The Gaos are Back! There's 3 of them this time and more...0 points

Gammera the Invincible

Gammera the Invincible

This Gamera movie has a lot of action. It's one of more...0 points

Gamera 3 - Revenge of Iris

Gamera 3 - Revenge of Iris

This one is weird, even for a Japanese monster mov more...0 points

War of the Monsters (aka Gamera vs. Barugon)

War of the Monsters (aka Gamera vs. Barugon)

Why doesn't this Barugon guy just give up? He has more...0 points

Gamera vs. Monster X / Monster from a Prehistoric Planet

Gamera vs. Monster X / Monster from a Prehistoric Planet

These oldies are just plain funny. I am not sure h more...0 points

MOTHRA DVDs 

A giant butterfly? Are you kidding me? A big butterfly doesn't seem nearly as menacing as a 240 ft tall lizard with radioactive death breath. It took me a long time to warm up to Mothra, but after seeing that these monster moth movies are made the same way as my old favorites, I took a liking to the big bug.

Rebirth of Mothra 1&2

Rebirth of Mothra 1&2

I think there are 3 rebirth films for Mothra. I am more...0 points

Godzilla vs. Mothra

Godzilla vs. Mothra

This is where it all started. Rumor had it that Go more...0 points

Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah - Giant Monsters All-Out Attack

Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah - Giant Monsters All-Out Attack

They changed Godzilla's appearance a bit for this, more...0 points

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah / Godzilla & Mothra: The Battle for Earth

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah / Godzilla & Mothra: The Battle for Earth

2 more great classic old monster flicks. Grab them more...0 points

A 50 Year tribue to the big guy 

It's amazing that a guy in a rubber suit has had a longer film career that most actors. It hasn't always been the same guy in the suit, but it's always the same Godzilla.

Godzilla 50 years tribute!

Montage dedicated to over 50 years of Godzilla in film... with the original Godzilla theme as background music

Runtime: 115
493148 views
440 Comments:

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MISCELLANEOUS MONSTER DVDs 

This list is going to be the toughest to get. Many of the old "one time only" monster movies have disappeared it seems. I will do my very best to dig up all the "one hit wonders" for you.

Please keep checking here regularly, as I will update the list with any new movies I find A.S.A.P.!

Gorgo - Widescreen Destruction Edition

Gorgo - Widescreen Destruction Edition

This was the first Japanese monster movie I ever s more...0 points

20 Million Miles To Earth (50th Anniversary Edition)

20 Million Miles To Earth (50th Anniversary Edition)

Yeah, I know this isn't Japanese, but it was by Ra more...0 points

It Came from Beneath the Sea

It Came from Beneath the Sea

Do you remember the old black and white shot you s more...0 points

Rodan

Rodan

He's big, he's bad, and he's a bird. There are act more...0 points

King Kong Vs Godzilla/King Kong Escapes

King Kong Vs Godzilla/King Kong Escapes

Yes, this is probably the worst ape suit ever worn more...0 points

Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster

Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster

Another first appearance of an old Godzilla foe. G more...0 points

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah / Godzilla & Mothra: The Battle for Earth

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah / Godzilla & Mothra: The Battle for Earth

2 more great classic old monster flicks. Grab them more...0 points

by gaijin1

Samurai swords, beautiful women, and Godzilla! How can anyone not love Japan?
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