2023 was a big year forGodzilla, and no one saw it coming. The big green lizard returned to his homeland in Japan for another movie,Godzilla Minus One, his first sinceShin Godzillain 2016.It hit theaters and took the world by storm, roaring into domestic box office history and setting anew franchise record. The film is arguably the best of 2023, but the Godzilla that people saw wasn’t the defender of humanity they had come to know from the U.S. films. This interpretation took the kaiju back to its roots and made him into the destroyer he was always meant to be.GodzillaMinus Onemay have been a great movie, but many would have preferred to see the savior.
In his history, in fact, Godzilla has been both the villain and the hero. The King of the Monsters has been shown to have a certain degree of compassion for humanity, seeing their flaws and potential. In these traits, he saw a species worthy of protection and fought his 15 enemies numerous times to ensure our survival. Here, we’ll look at every film in which he was our hero. Here is a ranking of every time Godzilla was the good guy.
12All Monsters Attack (AKA Godzilla’s Revenge) (1969)
Starting off the list is a movie that will appeal more to children than most others might.All Monsters Attacksees a lonely Latchkey kid, Ichiro, who comes home to an empty house every day, has few friends, and is a victim of bullying. To escape from his less-than-desirable reality, Ichiro retreats to Monster Island in his mind, where he befriends Minilla, the son of Godzilla. Sadly, Minilla is also a victim of bullying. However, with the help of Godzilla and with the encouragement of Ichiro, Minilla will fight to overcome adversity, and both he and Ichiro will strive for better lives despite their shortcomings.
Godzilla the Mentor
All the Monsters Attackis the third film to feature Minilla, the son of Godzilla, who serves as the main monster protagonist of the film, facing adversity and overcoming his struggles to follow in his father’s footsteps. Although featured, Godzilla takes a backseat in this film as a mentor to his son, training him to fight and teaching him his trademark atomic breath. Although he does get into some brawls, the King of the Monsters, for the most part, watches from afar as his son comes into his own, unwittingly helping Ichiro do the same as well.Stream on Max
11Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)
Introducing the beetle god/monster, Megalon,Godzilla vs. Megalonsees the two monsters duke it out after the nuclear testing disruptsthe underwater civilizationof Seatopia, resulting in the hidden nation declaring war on the surface world and unleashing their titular god. In their efforts, they also gain control of the human-developed robot, Jet Jaguar, as a guide for Megalon to destroy the world, but their plans soon backfire when the android turns on them and recruits Godzilla for an epic tag-team clash for the fate of the planet.
Godzilla the Ally
Godzilla isn’t averse to taking help from other monsters, and this film shows that he’s also not afraid to lend a helping hand either. Like inAll Monsters Attack,Godzilla is elsewhere, until Jet Jaguar seeks him out to defeat Megalon and Gigan, Godzilla’s adversary from the previous movie. As expected, the heroes stand victorious, and the two hero titans end the film on a friendly note by shaking hands before parting ways.Stream on Max
10Son of Godzilla (1967)
In the first-ever live-action debut of Minilla, the son of Godzilla, the infant titan is awakened in the aftermath of a failed weather experiment by scientists. Investigating the cause, the group discovers a pair of giant mantises digging up an egg with the smaller reptilian monster, whose cries attract Godzilla to lend aid. Before long, Godzilla bonds with the younger creature and adopts it, teaching it his ways and how to defend itself. Training that soon comes in handy when an even larger and more dangerous foe emerges.
Godzilla the Father
Up untilSon of Godzilla, Godzilla has mainly been alone — the supposed last of his kind. Having thought he was alone, it makes sense that he jumps to the rescue of a newly discovered member of his species. It’s heartwarming to see the titan take on the fatherhood role for the lonely child as well. Having come beforeAll Monsters Attack,Minilla’s training officially starts in this film, with Godzilla showing him how to fight while also becoming aware of his triggers and sensitivities. The highlight of the film comes when the two fight together for the first time asfather and son, making for an unrivaled duo against some of the franchise’s weakest and lesser-known adversaries.Stream on Max
9Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (AKA Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster) (1966)
After stealing a boat, a group finds themselves adrift at sea when they are unexpectedly attacked by the crustacean monster known as Ebirah. Not long after, they wash up on Lechi Island under the control of the terrorist group known as Red Bamboo, who have imprisoned the natives to harvest a yellow liquid to repel Ebirah.
With no other help, the group elects to wake a dormant Godzilla to destroy the group and the lobster creature, making for epic battles on land and in the ocean. However, the island natives have another titan to turn to and pray for her salvation. Sure enough, Mothra returns to protect her people, taking on all comers, including Godzilla.
Godzilla Awakened
It can be argued that Godzilla isn’t his most heroic inEbirah, Horror of the Deep, given that he wakes up and immediately starts fighting Ebirah with no real provocation. He unwittingly protects the innocent souls of Lechi Island by fighting the monster and by destroying the terrorists for thinking they could take him with mere jets. Godzilla destroys the bad guys, even if he didn’t exactly know he was fighting, but the notion of him being a good guy comes into question when he faces the defending Mothra in the film’s climax. Their scuffle wasn’t a vengeful confrontation, though, as Mothra was trying to get her people to safety.Stream on Max
8Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972)
When Manga artist Gengo takes a job at an amusement park, he thinks it’ll just be an easy paycheck. However, despite his employer’s claimed desire for peace, Gango starts to suspect something else is afoot when he comes into possession of a strange tape that emits an ominous signal. His suspicions soon prove correct whenthe giant monsters, Gigan and Ghidorah, arrive on Earth in response. Unfortunately for them, destruction and dominance won’t come easy because Godzilla and his ally, Anguirus, heard the signal as well.
Godzilla the Defender
Godzilla vs. Gigansees Godzilla working with an ally (who would become one of many). Anguirus is one of the King of the Monsters' more notable allies, and works to fight off their foes. This film is one of the more noteworthy examples of Godzilla working with other titans to fight off adversaries, and the two work well together to stop the space kaiju’s rampage through Tokyo. As noted by both Gigan and Ghidorah’s appearances in later films, the two are not killed, simply fought into a retreat, leaving Godzilla and Anguirus to depart Tokyo for another successful defense.Stream on Max
7Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
Set five years after the conclusion of the 2014 U.S. film,Godzilla,Godzilla: King of the Monstersfollows as a terrorist cell wakes numerous titans from their dormant sleep, the most dangerous being King Ghidorah, who quickly asserts himself as the alpha of the titans. What he didn’t know was Godzilla was already staking his claim as king years before he had awoken. With the help of Mothra, Godzilla wages war against the three-headed beast in a vicious battle for supremacy, with the fate of the world on the line.
Godzilla the King
Fans can say whatever they want aboutAmericanGodzillamovies, but they can’t deny that Kaiju fights have never looked so good as they do here. Godzilla becomes the ultimate underdog in this film, as he finds himself fighting a foe much bigger than himself, but his unyielding resilience and devotion to humanity are on full display, and he gives it his all to protect everyone.
This film sees him fighting in a deserted city, allowing him to destroy as much as he needs to for victory. Also on display is his humanity, displaying a connection with other human protagonists as they aid him in winning the fight for humanity’s survival.Stream on Hulu
Related:Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire Gets Earlier Release Date
6Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975)
Following the defeat of Mechagodzilla in the previous film, a disgraced biologist salvages the remains of the alien machine and revitalizes it to be more powerful than ever. To aid his new weapon, he discovers a way to control another kaiju, the dinosaur monster known as Titanosaurus. However, he soon learns that his pride and bitterness may destroy Japan and spell the end for his daughter, who’s made into the heart and soul of the new and improved Mechagodzila.
Godzilla with His Back Against the Wall
What is more heroic than an underdog?Terror of Mechagodzillasees the fan-favorite cybernetic return with a vengeance and some added help, making for a vicious two-on-one fight against Godzilla. The big green lizard is put through his paces here, facing a new challenge in Titanosaurus, but struggling to beat the newcomer with Mechagodzilla blasting him as he watches on.
Godzilla is driven into the ground by an onslaught of firepower, but he’s able to rebound with the help of the humans when the biologist loses everything he cares for to right his wrongs. With the day saved, humanity celebrates yet another victory from Godzilla, although not everyone is celebrating by the end.Stream on Max
5Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971)
Godzilla vs. Hedorahsees the world-famous titan take on what was arguably his deadliest foe by this point. Dr. Toru Yano’s son Ken has visions of Godzilla fighting the world’s pollution. Sights soon turn into predictive premonitions as the accumulation of Earth’s pollution gives rise to the new kaiju known as Hedorah, a being who can cause fatal pollution and destruction. Godzilla is a beast, but eventually finds himself outmatched, forcing humanity to brace for the end. But not all hope is lost as the two giants face off for a final time in a climactic battle that will see humans unite with Godzilla in a last-ditch effort.
Godzilla’s Judgment
This may be one of the few times that Godzilla has come close to death. Despite being easily beaten in their initial encounter, Hedorah comes back even deadlier than before and beats Godzilla into submission, taking his eye and reducing his hand to bones. This film also provides one of the few instances humanity nearly loses.
It takes the combined efforts of both Godzilla and the JSDF to win, forcing Godzilla to use a human-made creation. Humanity celebrates their victory, but by the end of the film, Godzilla is angry, glaring at the people whose negligence led to the creation of such a beast before stomping off in disgust. An allegoryfor climate change, the scene shows that, despite Godzilla being Earth’s protector, he always recognizes who the real monsters are.Stream on Max
Related:The 10 Best Toho Kaiju Movies Without Godzilla
4Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)
In the far-off future, two astronauts arrive on Planet X, where they discover a race of beings in dire need of rescue from Ghidorah, the three-headed monster that had attacked Earth previously. They strike a deal with the astronauts and promise a miracle cure for cancer in exchange for the help of Godzilla and Rodan to fight the terror. However, the Xilien’s intentions are not as they claim, and they soon threaten the safety of Earth with the might of all three beasts under their control. Who is the bigger danger: man or monster?
Godzilla the Planet Protector
Yet again, humanity calls upon the mighty titan’s strength for protection when Ghidorah strikes again inInvasion of Astro-Monster. This is the first instance in which Godzilla serves as a protector for people outside of his home planet, although it is easy to see him as an unwitting pawn for the benefit of others. Nevertheless, he succeeds in protecting the Xiliens, only to become victim to their hubris, albeit temporarily. Even when he regains control of himself, he doesn’t take vengeance on the alien race that tried to enslave him. They destroy themselves just fine on their own.Stream on Max
3Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
Deep underground, explorers find ancient artifacts of rare metal and ponder their origins, speculating them to be from another world. Shortly after, Godzilla reemerges and attacks civilization, despite his supposed tolerance towards humankind in recent years. Citizens are baffled by the seemingly unprovoked attack. That is, until the real Godzilla emerges in response, revealing the impostor as a mechanized android sent by another world to take over Earth. It may take more than Godzilla has to beat his doppelgänger. Fortunately, mankind has discovered another dormant creature that may be able to even the odds in the form of King Ceasar.
Godzilla Framed
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzillasees the king of the monsters set up to look like the destructive monster he once was when otherworldly aliens attempt to turn humans against him. This plot is discovered quickly, assuring Japan that Godzilla is still on their side. He may not be particularly loving of humans by this point in his history, but he has developed a sense of compassion for them, once again going out of his way to protect them. But perhaps it can be argued that he is merely defending his territory.Stream on Max
