Ok although i personally don't have a favourite godzilla movie i do love every single one of them and I do have a closer spot in my heart for the showa era , the millenium era and the american films
@@jeaninneoliver14 furries dont shoot fire out of their mouths and destroy cities. When they fight its just some growls and barks and then they walk away.
Theres a branch of wrestling in florida that has its wrestlers make up kaiju personas and they wrestle eachother. Its completely inspired by the showa era, and it's the only desire I have to go to florida to see
Little sad you didn't mention the man responsible for bringing Godzilla and many of the other monsters to life, Eiji Tsuburaya, but then again the man is a legend worthy of a standalone video. Still an absolutely outstanding video Matt! You deserve way more subs because your videos are always top quality!
So fun fact, Ebirah: Horror of the Deep was originally going to star Kong, but the studio ran into rights issues, and so instead they inserted Godzilla into the role. You can tell it was supposed to be Kong in the role thanks to a lot of key scenes, especially the part where Godzilla takes a liking to a human girl for some reason.
@@Psyclonus7 No, they didn't even started recording the movie so they just put godzilla in there and made him shoot his atomic breath. Kong would probably like throw a rock at the giant condor
It wasn't a rights issue,RKO who owned the rights of Kong at the time didn't like the concept of the movie,so toho made king Kong escapes with ranking and bass ,but didn't want to lose the money on the sets and costumes made for ebriha
This video has single-handedly re-ignited my love for the Godzilla franchise. Absolutely incredible work, Matt! Just like Godzilla, you're an unstoppable force.
Showa Godzilla will always be my favorite because it had a deep meaning behind. It was more like a force of nature, that if you mess with Mama Earth, she will F🤬 you up.
Matt, it always blows me away to see how well produced your content is; I genuinely don't have many other channels on TH-cam I'm as happy to see an upload from. Thanks for the vids and keep it up man.
Godzilla vs Hedorah is up there for me as one of my favorites, despite how weird it is I think it has some of the stronger societal commentary even outside the blatant anti-pollution message. Surprised to see Godzilla vs Gigan and Ebirah so high on your list, I always enjoyed Ebirah but I think I’ll have to give Gigan a rewatch.
I love Godzilla vs Hedorah. Though I think it was called Godzilla vs the smog monster first time I saw it. I hate the re dubbed English. It like ALL the other ones should have been left original. Or at least make them available for old people like me. Awesome movies til the 80s when it really started dying.
Hedorah remains my favorite Godzilla film after the original Gojira and I think it's bizarre, hallucinatory nature serves the ecological messaging in a uniquely memorable way.
I certainly agree with you about 'Destroy All Monsters'. I saw it at a drive-in in 1970 (along with Ghidrah and The Green Slime) when I was 5 years old and it is still my absolute favorite Godzilla movie til this day!! Thanks much for posting this video.
They explain that the Godzilla from _Raids Again_ and onward is another member of the same species as the original, and that it and Anguirus were resurrected by the same atomic tests that awoke the original Godzilla. It isn't "inexplicable", although it is easy to understand how it could be overlooked.
That was dope. I love me some Godzilla. As soon as Covid blows over and we're allowed to travel im taking a bullet train to Tokyo to see the statue they got of my boy.
Shifting the subject a bit, the artist behind the Godzilla art used in the thumbnail is Yuko Shimizu for a series of collector's edition DVDs. There's a video on her thought process behind the art by Trojan Horse was a Unicorn.
I’m curious what kind of Godzilla people prefer: tragic metaphor for the horrors of nuclear disaster, anti-hero who fights other monsters but still has it out for humanity, or outright hero and friend to all children?
I personally prefer the tragic metaphor godzillas and the anti hero ones. Mostly the tragic metaphor though. I hope one day we get a rated R godzilla and make it truly terrifying
im not gonna lie, i like most of the showa era, mostly because it was so silly (specifically VS Gigan, Vs Megalon, and even Vs Hedorah) i like it the same way people like The Room or other REALLY bad movies, its so over the top silly as hell, but i likes it
No matter how much I learn about "movie magic", a grown adult standing at eye level with Godzilla will still confuse the fuck out of me for a split-second
I am incredibly fascinated by the cinematic history of Godzilla and the different eras of his movies. I would be very happy if you were to continue your Godzilla series retrospective.
As a long time Godzilla fan since childhood, this was super enjoyable and informative. Would love to see you cover the other eras as well. I enjoy your videos very much. #TeamGodzilla
I used to not like the Showa Era since I thought all its films besides the original Gojira were just campy and silly. But now that I have actually watched the films I have grown to really enjoy its films and learned how wrong I was.
people always generalize the showa as campy and bad, and the heisei as good and serious, millennium as bad, monsterverse as eather best or worst. that's the fandom basically.
In my opinion, growing up with these films I feel they should’ve stopped after Monster Zero, then returned in ‘68 for Destroy All Monsters, then went away again until ‘74’s Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla. I know the box office was way different back then, but the 70s really struggled to compete with kaiju tv shows so I think it would’ve been more impactful to holdoff until the 20th anniversary as a cinema event (and I would’ve replaced King Sheesa with King Kong to make it more epic).
This is an amazing video! And I love that legendary really went for the showa route for the movies as opposed to mainly Heisei interpretation. It’s awesome and it makes my inner child scream
Godzilla 1954 and shin Godzilla are the only Godzilla movies I’d call genuine films. Maybe Godzilla 1984 as well. The rest are are just dumb fun, and I love them.
Oh boy can't wait for the Shin Godzilla one when we reach the end/near the end! I know its been talked about to death, but really, it was such a joy seeing a classic Godzilla coming out of Japan that just... Worked as well as it did and proved Toho still could knock it out of the park!
My ranking (as you can tell I love goofy, fun and silly movies): 1. Megalon (I will not accept any Megalon hate) 2. Destroy All Monsters 3. Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster 4. Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla 5. Son of Godzilla 6. Gigan 7. Ebirah 8. Hedorah 9. Mothra vs Godzilla 10. Terror of Mechagodzilla 11. Astro Monster 12. King Kong 13. Raids Again 14. All Monsters Attack (really fun and enjoyable film) 15. 1954 (not that I don't like it, it's just too serious for me)
My rankings differ pretty wildly from yours! Honestly, let's table the original film entirely from discussions of "best Showa Goji film". Its tone and goals are totally different from the monster mashes that define the rest of the era and it's not really fair to compare apples to oranges. Obviously it's an untouchable masterpiece, but it'd be like comparing WINGS OF DESIRE to the John Wick movies. That said...MY favorite Showa film other than the original is probably Godzilla vs Hedorah, because like the original and unlike every other film, Banno has something on his mind and he's gonna let you know how important it is whether you like it or not. Most of the social commentary stays in the subtext from Raids Again onwards (aside from Mothra vs Godzilla, but that's more just repetitions of the anti-corporate stuff from Mothra's solo film, which MvG is more of a sequel to than KKvG). But Banno takes the prevailing Japanese social issue of his time and turns it into a physical beast the same as Honda did originally, and has that original beast, now representative of Japan's strength instead of its fears, fight tooth and nail to defeat it. Tanaka was dead wrong about Banno, it was more weird, deeply personal stuff filled with conviction that made the series good no matter the tone, and that's why Anno would spin gold with Shin Godzilla all those years later. (Second favorite is Ghidorah The Three-Headed Monster, for much less philosophical reasons. It's just very tightly written with fun characters, an engaging human plot that ties in well with the monster stuff, and cool effects. Similar story for Ebirah.)
Putting Ebirah this high on Godzilla film tier list should be illegal. Easily the worst, most boring, and overall unimaginative kaiju to ever exist. That film had no business being a Godzilla film (considering it was originally meant to be a Kong film). Godzilla being woken up by lightening, having an interest in human women, and fighting what is essentially a giant shrimp brings this film down to Son of Godzilla tier to me (which I ironically find more compelling story-wise).
The Showa Era was the perfect way for me to get hooked on Godzilla back in the early 90's, I guess it was to celebrate the 40th anniversary. Anyway, if a kid likes Godzilla and doesn't know where to start, point them at the Showa Era.
Fun video, man. 70s Godzilla will be forever dumped on, heh, but I believe it's definitely one of those "you had to BE there" sort of things. I'm fortunate enough to have been able to see several in the theater as a kid, and it was a glorious experience. In fact, the 70s crew - MEGALON, JJ, King Seesar, Hedorah, Titanosaurus, etc. - are among my favorites. Gorgeous and creatively designed suits that ooze personality. (Or in Hedoorah's case, 'liquid waste', haw!)
My ranking of the Showa era: 1. Gojira 2. Invasion of Astro-Monster 3. Mothra vs. Godzilla 4. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 5. King Kong vs. Godzilla 6. Godzilla vs. Gigan 7. Terror of Mechagodzilla 8. Destroy All Monsters 9. Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster 10. Godzilla vs. Megalon (I'm sorry, but I love this one for all the wrong reasons) 11. Godzilla vs. Hedorah 12. Son of Godzilla 13. Ebirah: Horror of the Deep 14. Godzilla Raids Again 15. All Monsters Attack
Man, Godzilla is fun. Wether it is these japanese classics or the american ones starting in 2014. Some might not like these, but honestly... The monster action in these movies is awesome.
Great video! Godzilla Vs Megalon was my first every Godzilla film I saw and I was so happy that it was featured in a classic episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. I hope to see the later eras soon!
You didn't put 'vs Gigan' above 'Mothra vs Godzilla'... That is not possible... I must have hit my head... I think I'll go get checked out at the HOSPITAL...😮
Showa is the greatest Era of Godzilla. Pretty good video! But a correction. Menya is the first son of Godzilla. Milla comes later. An I disagree with your best order. But that's just personal opinion. Thanks for the video.
To be honest, I really like the “Champion” era of the Showa films and their namesake. Not the Japanese film festival, but the idea that those films are when Goji began outwardly defending Japan and the Earth from threats. He was one of Japan’s champions, choosing to fight for his home. Yeah the films are cheesy, but to me, they show how much Godzilla had changed and how he truly did have a capacity for good. 😊
Fantastic video. I am a life long Godzilla fan and I rate a lot of the Showa era films. I am surprised you didn't mention the questionable brownface in Godzilla vs King Kong, or the fact that Godzilla did actually fight a giant Frankenstein!
"Destroy All Monsters. A lean all out monster-mash that delivers on the promise you were expecting." Amazing, every word of what you just said was wrong
I love these movies but I'm also a huge outlier in that I choose to view these movies with more than just the fights in mind (and no surprises, I hated Godzilla v.s. Kong). With that in mind, both the original and Invasion of Astro Monster are my favourites of the Showa era, and the original King Kong v.s. Godzilla is a great bit of social commentary. Beyond the Godzilla films themselves, I really liked Frankenstein Conquers the World and I love both the original Rodan and Mothra. Ishiro Honda and his colleagues were geniuses. I'd like to think these films are patriotic and less nationalistic. There is a bit of a difference I think.
Once Godzilla became purely child fodder it was over . Good thing I was a child at that time . I can watch for nostalgia as an adult but only for that reason .
Excellent as always, Matt! After seeing the care and knowledge you imbued this video with, I would love to see you make a video on Mothra! “We stan an unproblematic queen!” 👸🏻🧚🏼♀️🧚🏼♀️🐛🦋
Showa and Heisei were the eras I grew up watching in the 90's. I think the VHS tapes I rewatched all the time were: Invasion of the Astro Monster (VHS title: Godzilla vs Monster Zero), Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla (VHS title: Godzilla vs the Cosmic Monster), Godzilla vs Biollante, Godzille vs Mothra (Heisei), and All Monsters Attack (VHS title: Godzilla's Revenge). Out of all of those films I hold a special place in my heart for... except All Monsters Attack...
This is my personal favorite era of the films, it got me into the series and made me the die hard fan that I still am at 36. I prefer Godzilla as an unabashed hero, no murky anti-hero status or straight villain, which is one reason why i've been such a fan of the Legendary series of films ( and why GvK has me nervous with his heel turn). I was REALLY not into Shin Godzilla, so i'm at a weird place where I find the spirit of a series of American Godzilla films preferable to most of what Japan has been giving us lately ( if we're lumping the Anime trilogy with Shin as the "Reiwa" era of films) My personal top 5 fave from this era 1. Destroy All Monsters 2. Godzilla vs Gigan ( also my first film I ever saw in the franchise) 3. Godzilla Vs Mechagodzilla 4. Terror of Mechagodzilla 5.Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster as always, even if I don't rank it on my top 5, the original 54 film needs to be recognized for the absolute masterpiece it is in almost every way, it's a truly serious (Grimdark in fact) monster film in a way that you didn't see before or contemporary at the time, amazingly well told story and impactful human characters and depictions. PS Godzilla vs Megalon is great and I will hear no slander against. Megalon is a really fun design and a great counterpart to Gigan and the battle at the end is fun as effing hell
Legendary godzilla isn't even a unabashed hero he's a anti heroic force of nature no different from heisei godzilla godzilla 2000 and final wars godzilla. As a whole then monsterverse is basically a modernized showa era but godzilla's portrayal is that of a anti hero not the traditional kid friendly hero status like showa era godzilla. To put it shortly showa era godzilla was no different from a traditional hero like Spiderman while legendary godzilla is closer to anti heros like wolverine or the punisher
Great job revisiting the first era of Godzilla. We differ on the top 15. I’m sure others have their favorites for their reasons. Over all great job making this.
The 1954 Godzilla and Second Showa Godzilla, the giant Irradiated Prehistoric Amphibious Reptiles. Heights: 50 meters tall. Godzilla did have a Crossover movie with King Kong in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962).
Your sheer amount of interests and the way you articulate your opinions is the perfect combination for video essays, from one gigan fan to another, thankyou!!
Personal Ranking: 1) Godzilla 2) Mothra vs. Godzilla 3) Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 4) Destroy All Monsters 5) Invasion of Astro-Monster 6) Terror of MechaGodzilla 7) Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster 8) King Kong vs. Godzilla 9) Godzilla vs. Megalon 10) Son of Godzilla 11) Godzilla vs. Hedorah 12) Ebirah, Horror of the Deep 13) Godzilla Raids Again 14) Godzilla vs. Gigan 15) All Monsters Attack
Ive always hated the Showa era for becoming so ridiculous. I mean Godzillas floating kick? Godzilla flying? Even as a kid I always thought it was too cheesy
Excellent work although I will disagree mildly with the rankings of the two mecagodzilla films. I did not like them as much as most because to me they just were Godzilla vs an army. Yes, an army in a Godzilla shape, but still he just fought missiles. I prefer Godzilla films where he faught other real monsters.
1. Godzilla 1954 A 2. Mothra Vs Godzilla A- 3. Invasion Of Astro Monster B 4. Ghidorah, Three Headed Monster B- 5. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla C+ 6. Terror Of Mechagodzilla C+ 7. Godzilla Vs Gigan C+ 8. King Kong Vs Godzilla 1962 C+ 9. Ebirah, Horror Of The Deep C 10. Godzilla Raids Again C 11. Godzilla Vs Megalon C- 12. Godzilla Vs Hedorah D+ 13. Destroy All Monsters F 14. Son Of Godzilla F 15. All Monsters Attack F
Funfact: "King Kong" and "Frankenstein" were actually marketable in Germany, so german distributors titled a lot of japanese movies SOMEHOW with any of those words. Also some Godzilla movies: "Son of Godzilla" was released as "Frankensteins monsters hunting Godzillas son" or "King Kong vs Godzilla" was "Return of King Kong" . The Ebira one (1966) was "Frankenstein and the monsters from the sea" and "Godzilla vs Megaro" was "King Kong - Demons from space" . And: "Destroy all monsters" was "Frankenstein and the monsters from space", "Godzilla vs Gigan" was "Frankensteins Hellspawn" . Some movies had Godzilla in the title (like the first one being basically Godzilla) but most of the Showa era had those weird namings.
Most Showa films kind'a blend together for me. They're all pretty fun in that campy kinda way. I think Megalon is my least favorite by a fair bit, and Gojira is (like most people) my number 1. After that Ebirah and Mothra take second place. Mothra would be higher but I felt the ending was a bit weak, and I just love Ebirah. I think he has some great model work, and the final fight where Godzilla rips Ebirah's arm off and then suplexes the giant lobster. Love it. Then Hedorah is near the top. In a sea of often meaningless monster brawls, Hedorah tried going back to having a message, and it was also totally nuts. Plus, Hedorah is the first other monster I was actually creeped out by. Being living toxic sludge is so messed up. The others are all somewhere between Hedorah and Megalon and I'm not sure how I would organize them.
What’s your favorite Godzilla film from the Showa Era? Let me know!
Godzilla vs Gigan, it has Anguirus as one of the main monsters. Also introduced Gigan the cybernetic dinosaur from beyond.
Godzilla vs mechagodzilla was the first film I watched so it’s probably my favorite but all of the films are so crazy it’s hard to decide
The original... Followed by Godzilla vs Megalon, that drop kick... Also Jet Jaguar.
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
Ok although i personally don't have a favourite godzilla movie i do love every single one of them and I do have a closer spot in my heart for the showa era , the millenium era and the american films
I’m sorry but I will not accept any Megalon slander
Amount of other monsters with drills for hands: 0...Moguera was a robot not a monster
Amount of other monsters Godzilla had to dropkick: 0
Ah, a man of good taste. I unironically think an adaptation of “vs Megalon” would be the best move for the Monsterverse, Jet Jaguar and all.
Utterly unacceptable
@@jacobjohnston3983 agreed
Megalon may of been dropkicked but he took it like a champ.
This just proves that you can be an adult man in a costume fighting another adult man in a costume and no one will judge you as long as you record it.
like a furry?
@@jeaninneoliver14 furries dont shoot fire out of their mouths and destroy cities. When they fight its just some growls and barks and then they walk away.
Theres a branch of wrestling in florida that has its wrestlers make up kaiju personas and they wrestle eachother. Its completely inspired by the showa era, and it's the only desire I have to go to florida to see
@@sadgirlhours4088 that actually sounds like a good time, especially when buzzed. What's its exact name? I wanna look it up.
You can feel the genuine love and care for Godzilla through this well crafted video. Always a pleasure to watch you discuss movies, Matt!
Thank you!
Little sad you didn't mention the man responsible for bringing Godzilla and many of the other monsters to life, Eiji Tsuburaya, but then again the man is a legend worthy of a standalone video. Still an absolutely outstanding video Matt! You deserve way more subs because your videos are always top quality!
Nor did he mention the man himself Haruo Nakajima
So fun fact, Ebirah: Horror of the Deep was originally going to star Kong, but the studio ran into rights issues, and so instead they inserted Godzilla into the role. You can tell it was supposed to be Kong in the role thanks to a lot of key scenes, especially the part where Godzilla takes a liking to a human girl for some reason.
@@Psyclonus7 no
@@Psyclonus7 No, they didn't even started recording the movie so they just put godzilla in there and made him shoot his atomic breath. Kong would probably like throw a rock at the giant condor
It wasn't a rights issue,RKO who owned the rights of Kong at the time didn't like the concept of the movie,so toho made king Kong escapes with ranking and bass ,but didn't want to lose the money on the sets and costumes made for ebriha
@@Tg2Lc In Godzilla’s first battle with Ebirah, he actually primarily throws rocks at him. Very Kong-like.
Ah yeah. It's gonna can't wait for the Heisei and millennium era to the Rewa era.
I’m hoping the criterion collection will do the same sets as they did for the showa era
@@GibbySoapBox
Just hope they don't let Toho doesn't keep saying you can update the quality and no english dubs. Some strange nonesense.
Heisei era is so awesome. My favorite era tbh
@@rigobertorosenbaum9838 yes,having a true continuity beween a the movies is the true selling point
Actually, in Godzilla Raids Again, it was revealed that the Godzilla in that film was a second Godzilla.
This video has single-handedly re-ignited my love for the Godzilla franchise. Absolutely incredible work, Matt! Just like Godzilla, you're an unstoppable force.
Thank you, my dude! I love hearing that.
Showa Godzilla will always be my favorite because it had a deep meaning behind. It was more like a force of nature, that if you mess with Mama Earth, she will F🤬 you up.
Nice Shinsuke Nakamura "The Rising Sun" entrance music there, Matt.
I almost freaked out when I heard it
It all came full circle with the wrestling references
I THOUGHT I heard that towards the end. Had to do a double-take because it caught me by surprise.
Godzilla is the not only the King of the monsters, he's the OG King of Strong St
Matt, it always blows me away to see how well produced your content is; I genuinely don't have many other channels on TH-cam I'm as happy to see an upload from. Thanks for the vids and keep it up man.
Thank you!!
Godzilla vs Hedorah is up there for me as one of my favorites, despite how weird it is I think it has some of the stronger societal commentary even outside the blatant anti-pollution message. Surprised to see Godzilla vs Gigan and Ebirah so high on your list, I always enjoyed Ebirah but I think I’ll have to give Gigan a rewatch.
I love Godzilla vs Hedorah. Though I think it was called Godzilla vs the smog monster first time I saw it. I hate the re dubbed English. It like ALL the other ones should have been left original. Or at least make them available for old people like me. Awesome movies til the 80s when it really started dying.
Hedorah remains my favorite Godzilla film after the original Gojira and I think it's bizarre, hallucinatory nature serves the ecological messaging in a uniquely memorable way.
I certainly agree with you about 'Destroy All Monsters'. I saw it at a drive-in in 1970 (along with Ghidrah and The Green Slime) when I was 5 years old and it is still my absolute favorite Godzilla movie til this day!! Thanks much for posting this video.
I grew up on the Heisei series, they had the best Godzilla suit design IMO.
This is objectively correct.
Fax
My shriveled heart has grown so much since Godzilla has become so popular
They explain that the Godzilla from _Raids Again_ and onward is another member of the same species as the original, and that it and Anguirus were resurrected by the same atomic tests that awoke the original Godzilla. It isn't "inexplicable", although it is easy to understand how it could be overlooked.
This was another fantastic video Matt I can’t wait for the oth... 26:07
You’re dead to me
But they *did* explain why Godzilla returned in Raids Again... it was another Godzilla.
"Godzilla was a heel"' - Best line ever!
I'm really curious to see what your thoughts on Shin Godzilla are. It's personally one of my favorite Godzilla movies ever. Such a great video!
That was dope. I love me some Godzilla. As soon as Covid blows over and we're allowed to travel im taking a bullet train to Tokyo to see the statue they got of my boy.
Since you're covering Godzilla, can you make videos on any of the Japanese superhero franchises like Ultraman, Kamen Rider, Super Sentai?
Maybe! That could be fun.
@@MattDraper If you watch Ultraman or Kamen Rider be carful its a endless well of tv shows and spinoffs you may need a watch guide
Shifting the subject a bit, the artist behind the Godzilla art used in the thumbnail is Yuko Shimizu for a series of collector's edition DVDs. There's a video on her thought process behind the art by Trojan Horse was a Unicorn.
声がハンサムで良いですね！
ゴジラもカッコイイ！😄
I’m curious what kind of Godzilla people prefer: tragic metaphor for the horrors of nuclear disaster, anti-hero who fights other monsters but still has it out for humanity, or outright hero and friend to all children?
I personally prefer the tragic metaphor godzillas and the anti hero ones. Mostly the tragic metaphor though. I hope one day we get a rated R godzilla and make it truly terrifying
Those illustrations at the end are glorious.
im not gonna lie, i like most of the showa era, mostly because it was so silly (specifically VS Gigan, Vs Megalon, and even Vs Hedorah) i like it the same way people like The Room or other REALLY bad movies, its so over the top silly as hell, but i likes it
No matter how much I learn about "movie magic", a grown adult standing at eye level with Godzilla will still confuse the fuck out of me for a split-second
Wrestling terms and Nakamura’s theme? Matt please make a wrestling video🙏🏼 even if it’s on the wrestler movie and not on any current products
I am incredibly fascinated by the cinematic history of Godzilla and the different eras of his movies. I would be very happy if you were to continue your Godzilla series retrospective.
This was my favorite era of Godzilla films. The rubber suits, the cheesy stories & over the top fights.
As a long time Godzilla fan since childhood, this was super enjoyable and informative. Would love to see you cover the other eras as well. I enjoy your videos very much. #TeamGodzilla
I used to not like the Showa Era since I thought all its films besides the original Gojira were just campy and silly. But now that I have actually watched the films I have grown to really enjoy its films and learned how wrong I was.
people always generalize the showa as campy and bad, and the heisei as good and serious, millennium as bad, monsterverse as eather best or worst.
that's the fandom basically.
In my opinion, growing up with these films I feel they should’ve stopped after Monster Zero, then returned in ‘68 for Destroy All Monsters, then went away again until ‘74’s Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla.
I know the box office was way different back then, but the 70s really struggled to compete with kaiju tv shows so I think it would’ve been more impactful to holdoff until the 20th anniversary as a cinema event (and I would’ve replaced King Sheesa with King Kong to make it more epic).
MATT DRAPER, King of creators
This is an amazing video!
And I love that legendary really went for the showa route for the movies as opposed to mainly Heisei interpretation. It’s awesome and it makes my inner child scream
Love that you use Shinsuke Nakamuras Theme for every outro
Godzilla 1954 and shin Godzilla are the only Godzilla movies I’d call genuine films. Maybe Godzilla 1984 as well. The rest are are just dumb fun, and I love them.
Oh boy can't wait for the Shin Godzilla one when we reach the end/near the end! I know its been talked about to death, but really, it was such a joy seeing a classic Godzilla coming out of Japan that just... Worked as well as it did and proved Toho still could knock it out of the park!
My ranking (as you can tell I love goofy, fun and silly movies):
1. Megalon (I will not accept any Megalon hate)
2. Destroy All Monsters
3. Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster
4. Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla
5. Son of Godzilla
6. Gigan
7. Ebirah
8. Hedorah
9. Mothra vs Godzilla
10. Terror of Mechagodzilla
11. Astro Monster
12. King Kong
13. Raids Again
14. All Monsters Attack (really fun and enjoyable film)
15. 1954 (not that I don't like it, it's just too serious for me)
Are you gonna do a video on the recent power rangers run with lord drakon?
My rankings differ pretty wildly from yours! Honestly, let's table the original film entirely from discussions of "best Showa Goji film". Its tone and goals are totally different from the monster mashes that define the rest of the era and it's not really fair to compare apples to oranges. Obviously it's an untouchable masterpiece, but it'd be like comparing WINGS OF DESIRE to the John Wick movies.
That said...MY favorite Showa film other than the original is probably Godzilla vs Hedorah, because like the original and unlike every other film, Banno has something on his mind and he's gonna let you know how important it is whether you like it or not. Most of the social commentary stays in the subtext from Raids Again onwards (aside from Mothra vs Godzilla, but that's more just repetitions of the anti-corporate stuff from Mothra's solo film, which MvG is more of a sequel to than KKvG). But Banno takes the prevailing Japanese social issue of his time and turns it into a physical beast the same as Honda did originally, and has that original beast, now representative of Japan's strength instead of its fears, fight tooth and nail to defeat it.
Tanaka was dead wrong about Banno, it was more weird, deeply personal stuff filled with conviction that made the series good no matter the tone, and that's why Anno would spin gold with Shin Godzilla all those years later.
(Second favorite is Ghidorah The Three-Headed Monster, for much less philosophical reasons. It's just very tightly written with fun characters, an engaging human plot that ties in well with the monster stuff, and cool effects. Similar story for Ebirah.)
Putting Ebirah this high on Godzilla film tier list should be illegal. Easily the worst, most boring, and overall unimaginative kaiju to ever exist. That film had no business being a Godzilla film (considering it was originally meant to be a Kong film). Godzilla being woken up by lightening, having an interest in human women, and fighting what is essentially a giant shrimp brings this film down to Son of Godzilla tier to me (which I ironically find more compelling story-wise).
The Showa Era was the perfect way for me to get hooked on Godzilla back in the early 90's, I guess it was to celebrate the 40th anniversary. Anyway, if a kid likes Godzilla and doesn't know where to start, point them at the Showa Era.
Fun video, man. 70s Godzilla will be forever dumped on, heh, but I believe it's definitely one of those "you had to BE there" sort of things. I'm fortunate enough to have been able to see several in the theater as a kid, and it was a glorious experience. In fact, the 70s crew - MEGALON, JJ, King Seesar, Hedorah, Titanosaurus, etc. - are among my favorites. Gorgeous and creatively designed suits that ooze personality. (Or in Hedoorah's case, 'liquid waste', haw!)
My ranking of the Showa era:
1. Gojira
2. Invasion of Astro-Monster
3. Mothra vs. Godzilla
4. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
5. King Kong vs. Godzilla
6. Godzilla vs. Gigan
7. Terror of Mechagodzilla
8. Destroy All Monsters
9. Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster
10. Godzilla vs. Megalon (I'm sorry, but I love this one for all the wrong reasons)
11. Godzilla vs. Hedorah
12. Son of Godzilla
13. Ebirah: Horror of the Deep
14. Godzilla Raids Again
15. All Monsters Attack
Fun fact: That scrapped Frankenstein concept explains why Kong has lightning powers.
8:10 How dare you?
16:10 How dare you again!!
20:58 AND YOU RANKED IT UNDER GODZILLA'S REVENGE?!?!?!
21:36 HUH?!
Man, Godzilla is fun. Wether it is these japanese classics or the american ones starting in 2014. Some might not like these, but honestly... The monster action in these movies is awesome.
Throwing shade at Godzilla vs Megalon is not a good way to ingratiate yourself to me, friend. 😂😂😂
Great video! Godzilla Vs Megalon was my first every Godzilla film I saw and I was so happy that it was featured in a classic episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. I hope to see the later eras soon!
You didn't put 'vs Gigan' above 'Mothra vs Godzilla'... That is not possible... I must have hit my head... I think I'll go get checked out at the HOSPITAL...😮
Mr Draper, it's a pleasure to be your subscriber. Especially when you talk about my favorite monster movie series.
Thank you!
Showa is the greatest Era of Godzilla. Pretty good video! But a correction. Menya is the first son of Godzilla. Milla comes later. An I disagree with your best order. But that's just personal opinion. Thanks for the video.
To be honest, I really like the “Champion” era of the Showa films and their namesake. Not the Japanese film festival, but the idea that those films are when Goji began outwardly defending Japan and the Earth from threats.
He was one of Japan’s champions, choosing to fight for his home. Yeah the films are cheesy, but to me, they show how much Godzilla had changed and how he truly did have a capacity for good. 😊
(Around 9:13)
"-And The Majestic Mothra"
*Hardcut To Mothra BBLBLBLAAAAAGGGG!!!*
Fantastic video. I am a life long Godzilla fan and I rate a lot of the Showa era films. I am surprised you didn't mention the questionable brownface in Godzilla vs King Kong, or the fact that Godzilla did actually fight a giant Frankenstein!
pretty sure he never fought Frankenstien. Toho did make a movie about a giant Frankenstien but he fought Baragon in the movie not Godzilla
"Destroy All Monsters. A lean all out monster-mash that delivers on the promise you were expecting."
Amazing, every word of what you just said was wrong
I love Vs Megalon, I get that it's bad but it's always been the good type of bad to me.
I just bought the Godzilla Criterion Collection blu ray! It looks amazing highly reccomend
I love these movies but I'm also a huge outlier in that I choose to view these movies with more than just the fights in mind (and no surprises, I hated Godzilla v.s. Kong). With that in mind, both the original and Invasion of Astro Monster are my favourites of the Showa era, and the original King Kong v.s. Godzilla is a great bit of social commentary.
Beyond the Godzilla films themselves, I really liked Frankenstein Conquers the World and I love both the original Rodan and Mothra. Ishiro Honda and his colleagues were geniuses.
I'd like to think these films are patriotic and less nationalistic. There is a bit of a difference I think.
Once Godzilla became purely child fodder it was over . Good thing I was a child at that time . I can watch for nostalgia as an adult but only for that reason .
Excellent as always, Matt! After seeing the care and knowledge you imbued this video with, I would love to see you make a video on Mothra! “We stan an unproblematic queen!” 👸🏻🧚🏼♀️🧚🏼♀️🐛🦋
Matt Draper talking about one of my absolute favorite things? Today is my lucky day!!
Hey Matt, I just got the Showa Collection! I'll be back when I finish it to hear your thoughts
Can you make a Retro spect on the terror of mechagodzilla... the best movie 🥴👍
Showa and Heisei were the eras I grew up watching in the 90's. I think the VHS tapes I rewatched all the time were: Invasion of the Astro Monster (VHS title: Godzilla vs Monster Zero), Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla (VHS title: Godzilla vs the Cosmic Monster), Godzilla vs Biollante, Godzille vs Mothra (Heisei), and All Monsters Attack (VHS title: Godzilla's Revenge). Out of all of those films I hold a special place in my heart for... except All Monsters Attack...
I feel like "All Monsters Attack" is a good movie but not a good Gojira movie.
This is still my favorite era. The first movie is still the best of them all but best of all, these movies were fun .
Have you seen Godzilla the series it's the only good thing to come from the 1998 movie
This is my personal favorite era of the films, it got me into the series and made me the die hard fan that I still am at 36. I prefer Godzilla as an unabashed hero, no murky anti-hero status or straight villain, which is one reason why i've been such a fan of the Legendary series of films ( and why GvK has me nervous with his heel turn). I was REALLY not into Shin Godzilla, so i'm at a weird place where I find the spirit of a series of American Godzilla films preferable to most of what Japan has been giving us lately ( if we're lumping the Anime trilogy with Shin as the "Reiwa" era of films)
My personal top 5 fave from this era
1. Destroy All Monsters
2. Godzilla vs Gigan ( also my first film I ever saw in the franchise)
3. Godzilla Vs Mechagodzilla
4. Terror of Mechagodzilla
5.Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster
as always, even if I don't rank it on my top 5, the original 54 film needs to be recognized for the absolute masterpiece it is in almost every way, it's a truly serious (Grimdark in fact) monster film in a way that you didn't see before or contemporary at the time, amazingly well told story and impactful human characters and depictions.
PS Godzilla vs Megalon is great and I will hear no slander against. Megalon is a really fun design and a great counterpart to Gigan and the battle at the end is fun as effing hell
Legendary godzilla isn't even a unabashed hero he's a anti heroic force of nature no different from heisei godzilla godzilla 2000 and final wars godzilla. As a whole then monsterverse is basically a modernized showa era but godzilla's portrayal is that of a anti hero not the traditional kid friendly hero status like showa era godzilla. To put it shortly showa era godzilla was no different from a traditional hero like Spiderman while legendary godzilla is closer to anti heros like wolverine or the punisher
Great video, HBO has a lot of these movies. The illustrations for the movies look amazing a Godzilla anime would be awesome.
Godzilla's Showa Era was the best era for Godzilla ever because it was the original era and in my opinion the most enjoyable.
I subscribed because you used Shinsuke Nakamura's theme song
Actually, it should say "1954-1975".
Great job revisiting the first era of Godzilla. We differ on the top 15. I’m sure others have their favorites for their reasons. Over all great job making this.
Long live the king!
As a heavy Godzilla fan you have my full undivided attention on this videos
The 1954 Godzilla and Second Showa Godzilla, the giant Irradiated Prehistoric Amphibious Reptiles. Heights: 50 meters tall. Godzilla did have a Crossover movie with King Kong in King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962).
I love the original Godzilla, as well as the new King of the Monsters. Very excited for the new movie and looking forward to more Godzilla videos!
Your sheer amount of interests and the way you articulate your opinions is the perfect combination for video essays, from one gigan fan to another, thankyou!!
Personal Ranking:
1) Godzilla
2) Mothra vs. Godzilla
3) Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla
4) Destroy All Monsters
5) Invasion of Astro-Monster
6) Terror of MechaGodzilla
7) Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster
8) King Kong vs. Godzilla
9) Godzilla vs. Megalon
10) Son of Godzilla
11) Godzilla vs. Hedorah
12) Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
13) Godzilla Raids Again
14) Godzilla vs. Gigan
15) All Monsters Attack
SHINSUKEEEEE NAKAMUUURAAAAAAAA
20:00
Godzilla is the not only the King of The Monsters, he's the King of Strong Style
The Second Showa Godzilla isn't a villain, but rather a destructive force of nature without any malicious intent.
I popped hard for Shinsuke Nakamura's music here.
I love Megalon though. Especially Jet Jaguar.
Ive always hated the Showa era for becoming so ridiculous. I mean Godzillas floating kick? Godzilla flying? Even as a kid I always thought it was too cheesy
I have been anxiously watching your letterboxd reviews of this era hoping that we would get a full video about it and it definitely didn't disappoint
Excellent work although I will disagree mildly with the rankings of the two mecagodzilla films. I did not like them as much as most because to me they just were Godzilla vs an army. Yes, an army in a Godzilla shape, but still he just fought missiles. I prefer Godzilla films where he faught other real monsters.
Goji Fact: the Showa Era has a lot of movie compare to Heisei Era, Millennium Era, Reiwa Era and Monsterverse Era
I kept thinking you were saving Hedorah for a quick isolation, after those couple of mentions. But you weren't.
GMK Godzilla is truly capable of villain and evil, unlike other incarnations of Godzilla.
Thanks for the video Matt. Big godzilla fan. Much ❤ as always
1. Godzilla 1954 A
2. Mothra Vs Godzilla A-
3. Invasion Of Astro Monster B
4. Ghidorah, Three Headed Monster B-
5. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla C+
6. Terror Of Mechagodzilla C+
7. Godzilla Vs Gigan C+
8. King Kong Vs Godzilla 1962 C+
9. Ebirah, Horror Of The Deep C
10. Godzilla Raids Again C
11. Godzilla Vs Megalon C-
12. Godzilla Vs Hedorah D+
13. Destroy All Monsters F
14. Son Of Godzilla F
15. All Monsters Attack F
Rising Sun was an inspired choice of music. I've wanted to get the criterion collection for the art alone.
Those posters are dope as hell
Funfact: "King Kong" and "Frankenstein" were actually marketable in Germany, so german distributors titled a lot of japanese movies SOMEHOW with any of those words. Also some Godzilla movies: "Son of Godzilla" was released as "Frankensteins monsters hunting Godzillas son" or "King Kong vs Godzilla" was "Return of King Kong" . The Ebira one (1966) was "Frankenstein and the monsters from the sea" and "Godzilla vs Megaro" was "King Kong - Demons from space" . And: "Destroy all monsters" was "Frankenstein and the monsters from space", "Godzilla vs Gigan" was "Frankensteins Hellspawn" .
Some movies had Godzilla in the title (like the first one being basically Godzilla) but most of the Showa era had those weird namings.
An absolutely lovely video, CANNOT wait for big G coverage!
Most Showa films kind'a blend together for me. They're all pretty fun in that campy kinda way. I think Megalon is my least favorite by a fair bit, and Gojira is (like most people) my number 1. After that Ebirah and Mothra take second place. Mothra would be higher but I felt the ending was a bit weak, and I just love Ebirah. I think he has some great model work, and the final fight where Godzilla rips Ebirah's arm off and then suplexes the giant lobster. Love it. Then Hedorah is near the top. In a sea of often meaningless monster brawls, Hedorah tried going back to having a message, and it was also totally nuts. Plus, Hedorah is the first other monster I was actually creeped out by. Being living toxic sludge is so messed up. The others are all somewhere between Hedorah and Megalon and I'm not sure how I would organize them.