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{{other uses|Godzilla (disambiguation)}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Godzilla'' (franchise)}}
{{Infobox
| title = Godzilla franchise
| image = [[File:Gojira 1954 Japanese poster.jpg|200px]]
| caption = Japanese theatrical poster for ''Godzilla'' (1954)
| label1 = Studios
| data1 = [[Toho]]<br />[[TriStar Pictures]]<br />[[Legendary Pictures]]<!-- Do not remove the Hollywood studio names. They officially acquired the license to Godzilla and produced official products and content with Toho's legal consent. -->
| label2 = No. of films
| data2 = [[#Filmography|32]] <!-- DO NOT INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FILMS BASED ON CONTINUITY ALONE!!! Not all of [[Toho's Kaiju films are connected with the Godzilla films]]. This article is about the '''Godzilla franchise'''', it covers [[movies, shows, books, and other media that feature Godzilla]]. Rodan (1956), Mothra (1961), and War of the Gargantuas (1966) did not feature Godzilla and therefore are not part of the Godzilla franchise. The kaiju in those films are definitely part of the Godzilla franchise but their own solo movies are not because (once again) they did not feature or reference Godzilla at all. -->
| label3 = Years active
| data3 = 1954–present
| label4 = Main character
| data4 = [[Godzilla]]
| label5 = First film
| data5 = ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' (1954)
| label6 = Latest film
| data6 = ''[[Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters]]'' (2017)
| label7 = Genre(s)
| data7 = [[Kaiju]]<br />[[Tokusatsu]]<br />[[Science fiction film|Science fiction]]<br />[[Fantasy film|Fantasy]]
| label8 = Country
| data8 = [[Japan]]<br />[[United States]]
}}
{{Nihongo|<!-- DO NOT CHANGE "Godzilla" to "Gojira". "Godzilla" is the official trademarked romanization as established by Toho since 1955. -->The '''''Godzilla'''''|'''''ゴジラ|Gojira'''''}} '''franchise''' is a series of multi-media featuring the monster [[Godzilla]], owned and created by [[Toho]]. It is recognized by [[Guinness World Records]] to be the longest continuously running movie franchise, having been in on-going production from 1954 to the present day (with several hiatuses).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://godzilla.jp/news/1036/ |title=TRANSLATION: Guinness World Records® certification |work=Godzilla.jp |accessdate=December 22, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2014/9/jennifer-lawrence-game-of-thrones-frozen-among-new-entertainment-record-holders-in-guinness-world-records-2015-book-60021/|title=Jennifer Lawrence, Game of Thrones, Frozen among new entertainment record holders in Guinness World Records 2015 book|last=Guinness World Records|first=|work=Guinness World Records|date=September 3, 2014|accessdate=February 26, 2016}}</ref> The film franchise consists of 30 films produced by Toho (three of which had American adaptations) and three Hollywood films. A [[Shin Godzilla|reboot by Toho]] was released in [[2016 in film|July 2016]]<ref name="ar">{{cite web|url=http://www.augustragone.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-japanese-godzilla-will-rise-again.html|title=THE "JAPANESE GODZILLA" WILL RISE AGAIN! Toho to Produce a New "Godzilla" in 2015|last=Ragone|first=August|work=The Good, the Bad, & Godzilla|date=December 7, 2014}}</ref> while Legendary Pictures is proceeding with a [[MonsterVerse|shared cinematic franchise]] of their own with ''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019 film)|Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]''<ref name="kotm2"/> to be released on [[2019 in film|March 22, 2019]], and ''Godzilla vs. Kong'' to be released on [[2020 in film|May 22, 2020]].<ref name="gvk">{{cite web|url=http://www.legendary.com/legendary-and-warner-bros-pictures-announce-cinematic-franchise-uniting-godzilla-king-kong-and-other-iconic-giant-monsters/|title= LEGENDARY AND WARNER BROS. PICTURES ANNOUNCE CINEMATIC FRANCHISE UNITING GODZILLA, KING KONG AND OTHER ICONIC GIANT MONSTERS|last=Legendary Pictures|first=|work=Legendary.com|date=October 14, 2015|accessdate=October 14, 2015}}</ref>

The first film, ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'', directed by [[Ishirō Honda]], is an early and influential classic in the monster film genre and was initially released by Toho in [[1954 in film|1954]]. Utilizing a hydrogen bomb incident to unleash the monster, the film tapped into political undertones and feelings common to Japan at the time. The original introduced an acclaimed music score by [[Akira Ifukube]], which was reused in many of the later films. The original also introduced the work of Toho special effects master [[Eiji Tsuburaya]], who used miniatures and "suitmation" to convey the large scale of the monster and its destruction. For its North American release, the film was reworked as an adaptation and released in 1956 as ''[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters!]]''. The film featured new footage with [[Raymond Burr]] edited together with the original Japanese footage.{{Citation needed|date=July 2016}}

Toho was inspired to make the original ''Godzilla'' after the commercial success of the 1952 re-release of ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' and the 1953 success of ''[[The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms]]''. The success of the ''Godzilla'' series itself would go on to inspire ''[[Gorgo (film)|Gorgo]]'', ''[[Gamera: The Giant Monster]]'', ''[[Yongary: Monster from the Deep]]'' and many other monster films worldwide. The popularity of the films has led to the introduction of the character in other media, such as [[Godzilla in popular culture|television, music, literature]], and [[Godzilla video games|video games]]. Its character has been one of the most recognizable symbols in Japanese popular culture worldwide, remains a well-known facet of [[Cinema of Japan|Japanese films]] and was one of the first examples of the popular ''[[kaiju]]'' and ''[[tokusatsu]]'' subgenres in Japanese entertainment.

The tone and themes of the individual films vary widely. Several of the films have political themes, others have dark tones, [[shared universe|complex internal mythology]], or are simple action movies featuring aliens or other monsters, while others have simpler themes accessible to children.{{sfn|Kalat|2007|pp=1–5}} Godzilla's role varies from purely a destructive force to an ally of humans, or a protector of Japanese values, or a hero to children. The name '''Godzilla''' is a romanization of the original Japanese name '''Gojira'''—which is a combination of two Japanese words: ''gorira'' (ゴリラ), "gorilla", and ''kujira'' (クジラ), "whale". The word alludes to the size, power and aquatic origin of Godzilla. As developed by Toho, the monster is an offshoot of the combination of radioactivity and ancient dinosaur-like creatures, indestructible and possessing special powers (see [[Godzilla#Characteristics|Godzilla characteristics]]).

== History ==
The Godzilla film series is broken into several (different) eras reflecting a characteristic style and corresponding to the same eras used to classify all kaiju eiga ([[monster movies]]) in Japan. The first two eras refer to the [[Japanese emperor]] during production: the [[Shōwa era]] and the [[Heisei era]]. The third is called the Millennium era as the emperor ([[Heisei]]) is the same but these films are considered to have a different style and storyline than the Heisei era.

Over the series history, the films have reflected [[History of Japan|the social and political climate in Japan]].{{sfn|Kalat|2007|p=240}} In the original film, Godzilla was an [[allegory]] for the effects of the [[nuclear weapon|hydrogen bomb]], and the consequences that such weapons might have on earth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vqronline.org/vqr-portfolio/godzilla%E2%80%99s-footprint|title=Godzilla's Footprint|last=Ryfle|first=Steve|work=VQR Online|accessdate=September 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.criterion.com/current/posts/2127-godzilla-poetry-after-the-a-bomb|title=Godzilla: Poetry After the A-Bomb|last=Hoberman|first=J.|work=Criterion|date=January 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'' 1954 [[Toho]]</ref><ref>''[[The Return of Godzilla]]'' 1984 [[Toho]]</ref> The radioactive contamination of the Japanese fishing boat ''[[Daigo Fukuryū Maru]]'' through the United States' [[Castle Bravo]] [[thermonuclear]] device test on [[Bikini Atoll]] on March 1, 1954, led to much press coverage in Japan preceding the release of the first movie in 1954. The Heisei and Millennium series have largely continued this concept.

=== Shōwa period (1954–1975) ===
[[File:Godzilla 1954-2014 incarnations.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Every film incarnation of Godzilla between 1954-2017.|alt=montage of pictures of dinosaur-like creatures]]
The initial series of movies is named for the Shōwa period in Japan (as all of these films were produced before the "''Shōwa Emperor''" [[Hirohito]]'s death in 1989).{{sfn|Solomon|2017|p=29}} This Shōwa timeline spanned from 1954, with ''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]'', to 1975, with ''[[Terror of Mechagodzilla]]''. With the exceptions of ''Godzilla'', ''[[Godzilla Raids Again]]'', ''[[Mothra vs. Godzilla]]'' and ''Terror of Mechagodzilla'', much of the Shōwa series is relatively light-hearted. Starting with ''Ghidorah the Three-Headed Monster'', Godzilla began evolving into a friendlier, more playful [[antihero]] (this transition was complete by ''[[Son of Godzilla]]'', where it is shown as a good character), and as years went by, it evolved into an [[anthropomorphic]] [[superhero]]. ''Ghidorah the Three-Headed Monster'' was also significant for introducing Godzilla's arch-enemy and the main antagonist of the movie series, [[King Ghidorah]]. The films ''Son of Godzilla'' and ''[[All Monsters Attack]]'' were aimed at youthful audiences, featuring the appearance of Godzilla's son, [[Minilla]]. ''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla]]'' was notable for introducing Godzilla's robotic arch-enemy and secondary villain of the movie series [[Mechagodzilla]]. The Shōwa period tied loosely in to a number of Toho-produced films in which Godzilla himself did not appear and consequently saw the addition of many monsters into the Godzilla continuity, three of which ([[Mothra]], [[Rodan]] and [[Varan]]) originated in their own solo movies and another five ([[Anguirus]], [[Kumonga]], [[Baragon]], [[Manda (kaiju)|Manda]] and [[Gorosaurus]]) appeared in their first films as antagonistic or secondary characters.

[[Haruo Nakajima]] mainly portrayed Godzilla since 1954 until his retirement in 1972. However, other stunt actors portrayed the character in his absence, such as [[Katsumi Tezuka]], Yū Sekida, Ryosaku Takasugi, Seiji Onaka, Shinji Takagi, Isao Zushi, and [[Toru Kawai]].<ref name="Godzilla">{{cite video|people=[[Takeo Murata]] (writer) and Ishirō Honda (writer/director)|title=[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]|medium=DVD|publisher=[[DreamWorks Classics]]|date=2006}}</ref><ref name="Am. Godzilla">{{cite video|people=[[Al C. Ward]] (writer) and Ishirō Honda, [[Terry Morse]] (writers/directors)|title=[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters!]]|medium=DVD|publisher=[[DreamWorks Classics]]|date=2006}}</ref> [[Eiji Tsuburaya]] directed the special effects for the first six films of the series. His protege Sadamasa Arikawa took over the effects work for the next three films (with Tsuburaya supervising), while [[Teruyoshi Nakano]] directed the special effects for the last six films of the series.

=== Heisei period (1984–1995) ===
Toho rebooted the series in 1984 with ''[[The Return of Godzilla]]'', starting the second era of Godzilla films, known as the ''Heisei'' series.{{sfn|Solomon|2017|p=145}} ''The Return of Godzilla'' serves as a direct sequel to the original 1954 film and ignores the afterward events of the Showa era. ''The Return of Godzilla'' was released in 1984, five years before the new emperor, but is considered part of this era, as it is a direct predecessor to ''[[Godzilla vs. Biollante]]'' (1989), which came out in the first year of the new emperor's reign.{{sfn|Lees|Cerasini|1998|p=12}}

The Heisei films are set in a single timeline, with each film providing continuity to another film, and brings Godzilla back as a destructive force of nature that is feared by humans.{{sfn|Solomon|2017|p=145}} The biological nature and science behind Godzilla became a much more discussed issue in the films, showing the increased focus on the moral aspects of genetics. ''[[Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah]]'' gave the first concrete birth story for Godzilla, featuring a "Godzillasaurus" dinosaur-like creature that was mutated by radiation into Godzilla. Godzilla was portrayed by [[Kenpachiro Satsuma]] for the Heisei films while the special effects were directed by [[Koichi Kawakita]], with the exception of ''The Return of Godzilla'', for which the effects were directed by Teruyoshi Nakano.

=== Millennium period (1999–2004) ===
Toho rebooted the franchise for a second time, with the 1999 film ''[[Godzilla 2000]]'', starting the third era of Godzilla films, known as the Millennium series. The Millennium series is treated similarly to an [[anthology series]] where each film, with the exception of ''[[Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla]]'' and ''[[Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.]]'', is set in its own timeline and follows-up the events of the original 1954 Godzilla film, but ignores the events of the Shōwa and Heisei eras.

After the release of 2004's ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'', marking the 50th anniversary of the ''Godzilla'' film franchise, Toho decided to put the series on hiatus for another ten years. Toho also demolished the water stage on its lot used in numerous Godzilla, kaiju and tokusatsu films.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bucketmovies.com/bucket-hall-of-fame-the-toho-big-pool/ |title=Bucket Hall of Fame: The Toho Big Pool |accessdate=February 16, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229081538/http://www.bucketmovies.com/bucket-hall-of-fame-the-toho-big-pool/ |archivedate=December 29, 2010 |df= }}</ref> [[Yoshimitsu Banno]], who had directed 1971's ''[[Godzilla vs. Hedorah]]'', secured the rights from Toho to make an [[IMAX|IMAX 3D]] short film production, based on a story similar to his ''Hedorah'' film. This project eventually led to the development of Legendary's 2014 film.

[[Tsutomu Kitagawa]] portrayed Godzilla for the majority of the Millennium films, with the exception of ''[[Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]]'', in which Godzilla was portrayed by [[Mizuho Yoshida (actor)|Mizuho Yoshida]]. Unlike the Showa and later Heisei films, the special effects for the Millennium films were directed by multiple effects directors such as [[Kenji Suzuki (director)|Kenji Suzuki]] (''Godzilla 2000'', ''[[Godzilla vs. Megaguirus]]''), Makoto Kamiya (''Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack''), Yuichi Kikuchi (''Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla''), and Eiichi Asada (''Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.'', ''Godzilla: Final Wars'').

=== Current period (2016–present) ===
{{Main|Shin Godzilla|Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters|Godzilla: Kessen Kidō Zōshoku Toshi}}
[[File:Toho's New Godzilla's.jpg|thumb|right||Toho's current iterations of Godzilla.]]
In December 2014, Toho announced plans for a new Godzilla film of their own for a 2016 release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/japans-toho-produce-new-godzilla-754751|title=Japan's Toho to Produce New 'Godzilla' for 2016, First in 12 Years|last=Blair|first=Gavin |work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=December 7, 2014}}</ref> The film is intended to be Toho's own reboot of the ''Godzilla'' franchise and is co-directed by [[Hideaki Anno]] and [[Shinji Higuchi]] (both who collaborated on the [[anime]] ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''), with the screenplay written by Anno and the special effects directed by Higuchi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/asia/hideaki-anno-and-shinji-higuchi-to-direct-tohos-godzilla-2016-1201464017/|title=Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi to Direct 'Godzilla 2016'|last=Frater|first=Patrick|work=Variety|date=March 31, 2015|accessdate=March 31, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://augustragone.blogspot.com/2015/03/evangelion-creator-helms-new-godzilla.html|title="EVANGELION" CREATOR HELMS NEW "GODZILLA" Hideaki Anno & Shinji Higuchi Revive the King!|last=Ragone|first=August|work=The Good, The Bad, and Godzilla|date=March 31, 2015|accessdate=March 31, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-03-31/evangelion-hideaki-anno-is-new-japanese-godzilla-film-chief-director-writer/.86598|title= Evangelion's Hideaki Anno Is New Japanese Godzilla Film's Chief Director, Writer|last=|first=|work=Anime News Network|date=March 31, 2015|accessdate=March 31, 2015}}</ref> Principal photography began on September and ended in October with the special effects work following in November that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/123136/new-japanese-godzilla-movie-filming-this-weekend-in-tokyo/ |title=New Japanese Godzilla Movie Filming This Weekend in Tokyo |last=Rigney|first=Todd|work=Dread Central|date=September 1, 2015|accessdate=September 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=scified.com |url=http://www.scified.com/godzillamovies/shin-godzilla-wraps-shooting-begins-fx-work |title=Shin-Godzilla Wraps Shooting, Begins FX Work |date=November 1, 2015 |accessdate=November 2, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103194841/http://www.scified.com/godzillamovies/shin-godzilla-wraps-shooting-begins-fx-work |archivedate=November 3, 2015 |df= }}</ref> ''[[Shin Godzilla]]'' was released in Japan on July 29, 2016 in IMAX, 4DX, and MX4D to positive reviews and was a box office success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/japan-box-office-tohos-godzilla-916071|title=Japan Box Office: Toho's 'Godzilla Resurgence' Opens With $6.1 Million|last=Blair|first=Gavin J.|work=Hollywood Reporter|date=August 1, 2016|accessdate=August 1, 2016}}</ref>

In August 2016, Toho announced plans for an anime Godzilla film, titled ''[[Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters]]'', set to be released on November 17, 2017, with [[Polygon Pictures]] animating the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2017/07/30/godzilla-planet-of-the-monsters-press-notes-from-toho/|title=Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters Press Notes from Toho|work=SciFi Japan|date=July 30, 2017|accessdate=July 30, 2017}}</ref> ''Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters'' is co-directed by [[Kōbun Shizuno]] and Hiroyuki Seshita with a screenplay by [[Gen Urobuchi]]<ref name="anime">{{cite web|url=http://augustragone.blogspot.com/2016/08/toho-gears-up-first-godzilla-anime.html|title=Toho Gears Up First Godzilla Anime Movie From the Makers of Gargantia & Sidonia|last=Ragone|first=August|work=The Good, the Bad, and Godzilla|date=August 18, 2016|accessdate=August 18, 2016}}</ref> and is set to be the first film in a trilogy.<ref name="trilogy">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-03-25/godzilla-anime-is-film-trilogy-starring-mamoru-miyano/.113950 |title=Godzilla Anime Is Film Trilogy Starring Mamoru Miyano|publisher=Anime News Network |date=2017-03-21 |accessdate=2017-03-27}}</ref> The second film in the trilogy, titled ''[[Godzilla: Kessen Kidō Zōshoku Toshi|Gojira: Kessen Kidō Zōshoku Toshi]]'', (translations vary from ''Godzilla: Battle Mobile Breeding City'' to ''Godzilla: The City Mechanized for the Final Battle'') is scheduled to be released in May 2018 and set to feature [[Mechagodzilla]].<ref name="Anime Godzilla 2">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/asia/second-and-third-godzilla-animation-movies-1202617272/|title=Toho to Make Second and Third ‘Godzilla’ Animation Movies|last=Schilling|first=Mark|work=Variety|date=November 16, 2017|accessdate=November 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-11-17/2nd-godzilla-anime-film-teases-mechagodzilla-before-may-debut/.124146|title=2nd Godzilla Anime Film Teases Mechagodzilla Before May Debut|work=Anime News Network|date=November 11, 2017|accessdate=November 24, 2017}}</ref>

=== American productions ===
In 1956, Jewell Enterprises Inc., licensed ''Godzilla'' and produced an "Americanized"{{efn|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2014/03/31/classic-media-reissues-the-original-godzilla-on-dvd/|title=Classic Media Reissues the Original GODZILLA on DVD|publisher=Scifi Japan|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickhanlon/2014/05/14/godzilla-what-is-it-about-monsters/|title=Godzilla: What Is It About Monsters?|last=Hanlon|first=Patrick|work=Forbes|date=May 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/popcult/handouts/metaphor/godzilla/godzilla.html|title= The Monster That Morphed Into a Metaphor|last=Rafferty|first=Terrence|work=NY Times|date=May 2, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historyvortex.org/GodzillaAmerica1.html|title=Godzilla in America|last=Roberto|first=John Rocco|work=G-fan Magazine Issue #10|date=July 1994|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006135549/http://www.historyvortex.org/GodzillaAmerica1.html|archivedate=2014-10-06|df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.criterion.com/films/27755-godzilla|title=Godzilla (1954) – The Criterion Collection|publisher=Criterion|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref>}} version of the film ''Godzilla, King of the Monsters!''. The film utilized a majority of the footage from the Japanese original but a majority of the political themes and social commentaries were removed, resulting in 30 minutes of footage from the Japanese original replaced with new scenes shot exclusively for the film featuring Raymond Burr interacting with Japanese actors and look-alikes to make it seem like Burr was a part of the original Japanese production. In addition, sound-effects and soundtracks were tweaked and some dialogue was dubbed into English. Similar "Americanizations" occurred for the North American releases of ''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]'' and ''[[Godzilla 1985]],'' the latter which included Burr reprising the role of American journalist Steve Martin.

In 1957, producer Harry Rybnick attempted to produce a Hollywood remake of ''Godzilla Raids Again'' entitled ''The Volcano Monsters'', however, funding from AB-PT Pictures collapsed after the company closed down and ''Godzilla Raids Again'' was instead dubbed in English and released in 1958 as ''Gigantis the Fire Monster''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://observationdeck.kinja.com/the-first-hollywood-attempt-to-re-imagine-godzilla-ha-1573231492|title=The First Hollywood Attempt to "Reimagine" Godzilla Happened Back in 1957|last=Lizardman|first=|work=Observation Deck|date=May 7, 2014|accessdate=August 27, 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Steve Miner's Godzilla.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Storyboard panel by William Stout for Steve Miner's proposed ''Godzilla'' 3D film]]
In 1965, Toho co-produced ''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]'' with American studio [[UPA (animation studio)|UPA]], marking the first time a Godzilla film was co-produced with an American studio.

In the 1980s, filmmaker [[Steve Miner]] pitched his idea for an American 3D production of Godzilla to Toho, with story boards by William Stout and a script written by [[Fred Dekker]], titled ''Godzilla, King of the Monsters in 3D'' which featured Godzilla destroying San Francisco in an attempt to find its only offspring.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tested.com/art/movies/460537-3d-godzilla-movie-almost-was/|title=The 3D Godzilla Movie That Almost Was|last=Konow|first=David|work=Tested|date=March 27, 2014}}</ref> Various studios and producers showed interest in the project but passed it over due to high budget concerns.<ref>{{Cite news| first = Pat | last = Jankiewicz | title = 'Godzilla, American Style | publisher = [[Starlog (magazine)|Starlog]] | date = August 1993 |issue=193}}</ref> The film would have featured a full scale animatronic Godzilla head built by [[Rick Baker (makeup artist)|Rick Baker]], stop motion animation executed by [[David W. Allen]], additional storyboards by Doug Wildey, an articulated stop motion Godzilla figure created by Stephen Czerkas, and the production design overseen by William Stout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/68871|title=Quint reports on William Stout's MondoCon panel about the unmade Fred Dekker-scripted Godzilla film!|last=Quint|first=|work=Ain't It Cool News|date=September 22, 2014|accessdate=September 21, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.williamstout.com/news/journal/?p=3549|title=My Top Ten Dinosaur Films Part Two: Godzilla in 3D (1982–83)|last=Stout|first=William|work=William Stout.com|date=April 28, 2014|accessdate=September 21, 2015}}</ref>

==== TriStar Pictures (1998) ====
{{Main|Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla: The Series}}
[[File:Godzilla (1998).jpg|thumb|right|130px|[[Zilla (TriStar Godzilla)|Godzilla]] as featured in ''Godzilla'' (1998)]]
In October 1992, [[TriStar Pictures]] acquired the rights from Toho with plans to produce a trilogy of Godzilla films.<ref>{{cite news|title=TriStar lands monster of deal with 'Godzilla'|url=https://variety.com/1992/film/news/tristar-lands-monster-of-deal-with-godzilla-100893/|last=Frook|first=John Evan|work=Variety|date=October 29, 1992}}</ref> Director [[Jan de Bont]] and writers [[Terry Rossio]] and [[Ted Elliott (screenwriter)|Ted Eliott]] developed an early version that would have involved Godzilla battling a shape-shifting extraterrestrial. However, De Bont eventually left the project after budget disagreements with the studio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/05/history-of-the-terrible-1998-american-godzilla.html|title=A History of the Disastrous Last Attempt to Make an American Godzilla|last=Abrams|first=Simon|work=Vulture|accessdate=March 4, 2015}}</ref> [[Roland Emmerich]] (to direct and co-write) and [[Dean Devlin]] (to produce and co-write) were eventually hired for the film.

''Godzilla'' was released in May 1998 to negative reviews from critics and fans<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theconcourse.deadspin.com/worst-godzilla-ever-why-japan-hated-and-murked-the-1-1573686109|title=Worst Godzilla Ever: Why Japan Hated (And Murked) The '98 U.S. Remake|last=Breihan|first=Tom|work=Concourse|date=May 12, 2014|accessdate=June 22, 2015}}</ref><ref name="p4">{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2015/05/31/godzilla-unmade-the-history-of-jan-de-bonts-unproduced-tristar-film-part-4-of-4/|title=GODZILLA Unmade: The History of Jan De Bont’s Unproduced TriStar Film – Part 4 of 4|last=Aiken|first=Keith|work=Scifi Japan|date=May 31, 2015|accessdate=March 8, 2016}}</ref> and was a moderate box office success, grossing $136 million domestically and $379 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=godzilla.htm|title= Godzilla (1998)|work=Box Office Mojo|date=|accessdate=March 8, 2016}}</ref> The two planned sequels were cancelled and a [[Godzilla: The Series|weekly animated series]] was produced instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2007/01/10/godzilla-2-rumors-unfounded/ |title=GODZILLA 2 RUMORS UNFOUNDED « SciFi Japan |publisher=Scifijapan.com |date= |accessdate=2013-10-16}}</ref> TriStar held on to the Godzilla license until it expired and reverted to Toho in 2003. In 2004, Toho created their own kaiju based off of TriStar's Godzilla design, and named it as "[[Zilla (TriStar Godzilla)|Zilla]]", with the incarnations from the 1998 film and ''Godzilla: The Series'' retaining the Godzilla copyright and trademark.<ref name="p4" /><ref name="penny">{{cite web|url=http://www.pennyblood.com/godzilla2.html |title=Godzilla Stomps into Los Angeles |last=Schaefer |first=Mark |work=Penny Blood |date=November 2004 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050203181104/http://www.pennyblood.com/godzilla2.html |archivedate=February 3, 2005 }}</ref>

==== Legendary Pictures (2014–present) ====
{{Main| MonsterVerse|Godzilla (2014 film)|Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019 film)}}
[[File:American Godzilla '14.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Godzilla]] as featured in ''Godzilla'' (2014)]]
In 2004, director Yoshimitsu Banno acquired permission from Toho to produce a short IMAX Godzilla film. In development for several years, the project was eventually turned over to [[Legendary Pictures]], which decided to make a feature film reboot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm52Zlk_6vU |title=Godzilla 2014: Brian Rogers (Producer) On Legendary Pictures Film Plans |work=Zennie62 Youtube channel |accessdate=July 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2010/film/markets-festivals/godzilla-stomps-back-to-screen-1118017027/ |title='Godzilla' stomps back to screen |last=McNary|first=Dave |work=Variety|date=March 29, 2010|accessdate=July 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://screenrant.com/godzilla-reboot-legendary-pictures-rothc-79514/|title= 'Godzilla' Will Return To His Roots In Legendary Pictures Reboot|last=Corneth|first=Roth|work=Screen Rant|date=September 22, 2010|accessdate=July 20, 2015}}</ref> Announced in 2010, the film was co-produced with [[Warner Bros. Pictures]] and was directed by [[Gareth Edwards (director)|Gareth Edwards]].<ref name="variety-report">{{cite journal|last=McNary |first=Dave |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017027 |title='Godzilla' stomps back to screen |journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=March 29, 2010 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5wNWDaN39?url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017027 |archivedate=February 9, 2011 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref><ref name="stomps">{{cite journal |last=Kit |first=Borys |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/heat-vision/monsters-director-stomps-gozilla-68246|title=EXCLUSIVE: 'Monsters' Director Stomps to 'Godzilla' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=January 4, 2011 |accessdate=February 9, 2011}}</ref> Filming was completed in 2013 in Canada and the United States for release in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collider.com/godzilla-release-date-may-16-2014/195445|title=CCI: GODZILLA Invades Theaters May 16, 2014; Studio Expects 3D Release|accessdate=September 13, 2012|last=Weintraub|first=Frosty|date=September 13, 2012|work=Collider}}</ref>

''Godzilla'' was released in May 2014 to positive reviews from critics and fans<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/05/godzilla-review-roundup-cranstons-terrible-wig.html|title=Review Roundup: One of the Scariest Things in Godzilla Is Bryan Cranston’s Wig|last=Silman|first=Anna|work=Vulture|date=May 16, 2014|accessdate=February 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://screenrant.com/godzilla-2014-details-reviews-previews/|title=‘Godzilla': First Audience Reactions Promise a Slow Reveal|last=Shaw-Williams|first=H.|work=Screen Rant|date=May 2, 2014|accessdate=February 26, 2016}}</ref> and was a box office success, grossing $200 million domestically and $529 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=godzilla2012.htm |title = Godzilla (2014) |publisher = [[Box Office Mojo]] |accessdate = August 29, 2015}}</ref> The film's success prompted Toho to produce a [[Shin Godzilla|reboot of their own]] and Legendary to proceed with sequels and a shared cinematic franchise,<ref name="monsterverse">{{cite press release|url=http://www.legendary.com/legendary-and-warner-bros-pictures-announce-cinematic-franchise-uniting-godzilla-king-kong-and-other-iconic-giant-monsters/|title= Legendary and Warner Bros. Pictures Announce Cinematic Franchise Uniting Godzilla, King Kong and Other Iconic Giant Monsters|publisher=Legendary Pictures|date=October 14, 2015|accessdate=October 14, 2015}}</ref> with ''Godzilla: King of the Monsters''<ref name="kotm2">{{cite web|url=http://www.scified.com/news/godzilla-2-actually-titled-king-the-monsters-after-all|title=Mike Dougherty Confirms the Title is Godzilla: King of "THE" Monsters|work=Scified|date=January 29, 2017|accessdate=January 31, 2017}}</ref> set to be released on March 22, 2019,<ref>{{cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|title='Godzilla 2' Moved Back to 2019, 'Godzilla Vs Kong' Set for May 2020|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/godzilla-2-moved-2019-godzilla-vs-kong-2020-1201770905/|accessdate=May 11, 2016|website=Variety|date=May 10, 2016}}</ref> and ''Godzilla vs. Kong''<ref name="monsterverse"/> set to be released on May 22, 2020.<ref name="new date">{{cite web|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/844461-godzilla-vs-kong-and-more-release-date-changes-from-warner-bros|title=Godzilla vs. Kong and More Release Date Changes From Warner Bros.|last=Busch|first=Jenna|work=Coming Soon|date=May 3, 2017|accessdate=May 3, 2017}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
From 1954 through 2017, there have been 30 Godzilla films produced by Toho in Japan. There have been several American productions: adaptations including ''Godzilla, King of the Monsters!'', ''King Kong vs. Godzilla'' and ''Godzilla 1985'', and three complete Hollywood productions: ''Godzilla'' (1998) produced by [[TriStar Pictures]], ''Godzilla'' (2014) and ''Godzilla: King of the Monsters'' (2019) produced by [[Legendary Entertainment|Legendary Pictures]], in partnership with [[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros. Pictures]].

=== Toho productions ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:25px" | #
! style="width:300px;"|Title
! style="width:50px;"|Year
! style="width:120px;"|Director(s)
! style="width:140px;"|Effects director
! style="width:250px;"|Monster co-star(s)
! style="width:250px;"|Current US licenses
|-
! colspan="7" style="background-color:#CEE0F2;" | Shōwa period (1954–1975)
|-
|-
|1
|
''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]''
|[[1954 in film|1954]]
|[[Ishirō Honda]]
| rowspan="6" |[[Eiji Tsuburaya]]
|None
|rowspan="2" |[[The Criterion Collection]]{{refn|group=Note|[[Janus Films]] and [[The Criterion Collection]] have sub-licensed these films from [[DreamWorks Classics]] (formerly known as Classic Media), who hold permanent rights to the Japanese/English versions of these films: '''''Godzilla''''' (1954), '''''Godzilla Raids Again''''' (1955), '''''Godzilla, King of the Monsters''''' (1956), '''''Rodan''''' (1956), '''''Mothra vs. Godzilla''''' (1964), '''''Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster''''' (1964), '''''Invasion of Astro-Monster''''' (1965), '''''War of the Gargantuas''''' (1966), '''''All Monsters Attack''''' (1969), and '''''Terror of Mechagodzilla''''' (1975).<ref name="Showa Criterion">{{cite web|url=http://bloody-disgusting.com/home-video/3469049/criterion-collection-obtained-showa-era-godzilla-films/|title=Criterion Collection Has Obtained Most of the Shōwa Era ‘Godzilla’ Films!|last=Squires|first=John|work=Bloody Disgusting|date=November 8, 2017|accessdate=November 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/11/18/godzilla-from-the-criterion-collection-2/|title=Godzilla from The Criterion Collection|last=Aiken|first=Keith|work=SciFi Japan|date=November 18, 2011|accessdate=November 8, 2017}}</ref>}}
|-
|2
|
''[[Godzilla Raids Again]]''
|[[1955 in film|1955]]
|[[Motoyoshi Oda]]
|[[Anguirus]]
|-
|3
|''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]''
|[[1962 in film|1962]]
| rowspan="4" |Ishirō Honda
|[[King Kong]], Oodako{{sfn|Lees|Cerasini|1998|p=116}}
|[[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment]]
|-
|4
|
''[[Mothra vs. Godzilla]]''
| rowspan="2" |[[1964 in film|1964]]
|[[Mothra]]
| rowspan="3" |The Criterion Collection<ref name="Showa Criterion"/>
|-
|5
|
''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]''
|[[King Ghidorah]], [[Rodan]], Mothra
|-
|6
|
''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]''
|[[1965 in film|1965]]
|King Ghidorah, Rodan
|-
|7
|
''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]''
|[[1966 in film|1966]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Jun Fukuda]]
| rowspan="3" |Sadamasa Arikawa<br />Eiji Tsuburaya
|[[Ebirah]], Mothra, Ookondoru{{sfn|Lees|Cerasini|1998|p=116}}
|[[Section23_Films#Kraken_Releasing|Kraken Releasing]]
|-
|8
|''[[Son of Godzilla]]''
|[[1967 in film|1967]]
|[[Minilla]], [[Kumonga]], [[Kamacuras]]
|rowspan="3" |The Criterion Collection<ref name="Showa Criterion"/>
|-
|9
|''[[Destroy All Monsters]]''
|[[1968 in film|1968]]
| rowspan="2" |Ishirō Honda
|King Ghidorah, Rodan, Mothra, Anguirus, Minilla, Kumonga, [[Manda (kaiju)|Manda]], [[Gorosaurus]], [[Baragon]], [[Varan]]
|-
|10
|
''[[All Monsters Attack]]''
|[[1969 in film|1969]]
|Ishirō Honda
|Gabara, Minilla
|-
|11
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Hedorah]]''
|[[1971 in film|1971]]
|[[Yoshimitsu Banno]]
| rowspan="5" |[[Teruyoshi Nakano]]
|[[Hedorah]]
| rowspan="2" |Kraken Releasing
|-
|12
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]''
|[[1972 in film|1972]]
| rowspan="3" |Jun Fukuda
|[[Gigan]], King Ghidorah, Anguirus
|-
|13
|''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]''
|[[1973 in film|1973]]
|[[Megalon]], [[Jet Jaguar]], Gigan, Rodan, Anguirus
|rowspan="3"|The Criterion Collection<ref name="Showa Criterion"/>
|-
|14
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla]]''
|[[1974 in film|1974]]
|[[Mechagodzilla]], [[King Caesar]], Anguirus
|-
|15
|
''[[Terror of Mechagodzilla]]''
|[[1975 in film|1975]]
|Ishirō Honda
|Mechagodzilla 2, [[Titanosaurus (Godzilla)|Titanosaurus]]
|-
|-
! colspan="7" style="background-color:#CEE0F2;" | Heisei period (1984–1995)
|-
|-
|16
|
''[[The Return of Godzilla]]''
|[[1984 in film|1984]]
|[[Koji Hashimoto (director)|Koji Hashimoto]]
|[[Teruyoshi Nakano]]
|[[The Return of Godzilla|Shockirus]]
|Kraken Releasing
|-
|17
|''[[Godzilla vs. Biollante]]''
|[[1989 in film|1989]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Kazuki Omori]]
| rowspan="6" |[[Koichi Kawakita]]
|[[Biollante]]
|[[Lionsgate]]<br />[[Echo Bridge Home Entertainment]]
|-
|18
|''[[Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah]]''
|[[1991 in film|1991]]
|King Ghidorah, [[Mecha-King Ghidorah]], [[Dorats]], [[Godzillasaurus]]
| rowspan="5" |[[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment]]
|-
|19
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Mothra]]''
|[[1992 in film|1992]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Takao Okawara]]
|Mothra, [[Battra]]
|-
|20
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]''
|[[1993 in film|1993]]
|Mechagodzilla, [[Super Mechagodzilla]], Rodan, [[Rodan|Fire Rodan]], [[Godzilla Junior|Baby Godzilla]]
|-
|21
|''[[Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla]]''
|[[1994 in film|1994]]
|Kensho Yamashita
|[[SpaceGodzilla]], [[Moguera]], [[Mothra|Fairy Mothra]], [[Godzilla Junior|Little Godzilla]]
|-
|22
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Destoroyah]]''
|[[1995 in film|1995]]
|Takao Okawara
|[[Destoroyah]], [[Godzilla Junior]]
|-
|-
! colspan="7" style="background-color:#CEE0F2;" | Millennium period (1999–2004)
|-
|-
|23
|
''[[Godzilla 2000|Godzilla 2000: Millennium]]''
|[[1999 in film|1999]]
|Takao Okawara
| rowspan="2" |[[Kenji Suzuki (tokusatsu)|Kenji Suzuki]]
|[[Orga]], [[Orga|Millennian]]
| rowspan="6" |Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
|-
|24
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Megaguirus]]''
|[[2000 in film|2000]]
|Masaaki Tezuka
|[[Megaguirus]], [[Meganulon]], [[Meganulon|Meganula]]
|-
|25
|
''[[Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]]''
|[[2001 in film|2001]]
|[[Shusuke Kaneko]]
|Makoto Kamiya<br/>[[Shinji Higuchi]]
|King Ghidorah, Mothra, Baragon
|-
|26
|
''[[Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla]]''
|[[2002 in film|2002]]
| rowspan="2" |Masaaki Tezuka
|Yûichi Kikuchi
|Mechagodzilla, [[The War of the Gargantuas|Gaira*]]
|-
|27
|
''[[Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.]]''
|[[2003 in film|2003]]
| rowspan="2" |Eiichi Asada
|Mechagodzilla, Mothra, [[Kamoebas]]
|-
|28
|''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''
|[[2004 in film|2004]]
|[[Ryuhei Kitamura]]
|[[Monster X|Monster X, Keizer Ghidorah]], [[Zilla (TriStar Godzilla)|Zilla]], Rodan, Mothra, Gigan, King Caesar, Anguirus, Minilla, Kumonga, Kamacuras, Manda, Hedorah, Ebirah, [[Gezora|Gezora*]]
|-
|-
! colspan="7" style="background-color:#CEE0F2;" | Current period (2016–present)
|-
|-
|29
|
''[[Shin Godzilla]]''
|[[2016 in film|2016]]
|[[Hideaki Anno]]<br />[[Shinji Higuchi]]
|Shinji Higuchi
|None
|[[Funimation]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2016/07/22/shin-godzilla-press-release-from-funimation-films/|title=Shin Godzilla Press Release from Funimation Films|last=|first=|work=Scifi Japan|date=July 22, 2016|accessdate=July 22, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|30
|
''[[Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters]]''
|[[2017 in film|2017]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Kōbun Shizuno]]<br />Hiroyuki Seshita
| rowspan="3" |TBA
|Servum, [[Dogora]], [[Dagahra]], [[Orga]], [[Kamacuras]], [[Mechagodzilla]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Netflix]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-03-13/godzilla-anime-film-to-stream-on-netflix-globally-this-year/.113347|title=Godzilla Anime Film to Stream on Netflix Globally This Year|date=March 13, 2017|website=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=March 13, 2017}}</ref>
|-
|31
|''[[Godzilla: Kessen Kidō Zōshoku Toshi]]''<ref name="Anime Godzilla 2"/>
| rowspan="2" |2018
| Mechagodzilla<ref name="Anime Godzilla 2"/>
|-
|32
|Untitled 3rd ''Anime Godzilla'' film<ref name="trilogy"/>
|rowspan="1"|TBA
|}

<strong>*</strong> Denotes a monster that appears only in recycled footage, but for the first time in the Godzilla series.

=== American adaptations of Toho productions ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:25px" | #
! style="width:300px;"|Title
! style="width:50px;"|Year
! style="width:120px;"|Director(s)
! style="width:140px;"|Effects director
! style="width:250px;"|Monster co-star(s)
! style="width:250px;"|Current US licenses
|-
|1
|''[[Godzilla, King of the Monsters!]]''
|[[1956 in film|1956]]
|[[Ishirō Honda]]<br />[[Terry O. Morse]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Eiji Tsuburaya]]
|None
|[[DreamWorks Classics]]<br>[[The Criterion Collection]]
|-
|2
|''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla#English-language_version|King Kong vs. Godzilla]]''
|[[1963 in film|1963]]
|Ishirō Honda<br>Thomas Montgomery
|[[King Kong]], Oodako{{sfn|Lees|Cerasini|1998|p=116}}
|[[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment]]
|-
|3
|''[[Godzilla 1985]]''
|[[1985 in film|1985]]
|[[Koji Hashimoto (director)|Koji Hashimoto]]<br />R.J. Kizer
|[[Teruyoshi Nakano]]
|[[The Return of Godzilla|Shockirus]]
|Anchor Bay
|-
|}

=== Hollywood productions ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:25px" | #
! style="width:300px;"|Title
! style="width:50px;"|Year
! style="width:120px;"|Director(s)
! style="width:140px;"|Effects director
! style="width:250px;"|Monster co-star(s)
! style="width:250px;"|Current US licenses
|-
|1
|''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]''
|[[1998 in film|1998]]
|[[Roland Emmerich]]
|[[Volker Engel]]
|[[Zilla (TriStar Godzilla)|Baby Godzillas]]
|[[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment]]
|-
|2
|[[Godzilla (2014 film)|''Godzilla'']]
|[[2014 in film|2014]]
|[[Gareth Edwards (director)|Gareth Edwards]]
|[[Jim Rygiel]]
|[[MUTO]]s (male and female)
| rowspan="3"|[[Warner Bros.]]
|-
|3
|[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019 film)|''Godzilla: King of the Monsters'']]
|[[2019 in film|2019]]
|[[Michael Dougherty]]
|[[Guillaume Rocheron]]
|[[King Ghidorah]], [[Rodan]], [[Mothra]]<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.warnerbros.com/studio/news/warner-bros-pictures-and-legendary-pictures-monsterverse-kicks-gear-next-godzilla|title=Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' MonsterVerse Kicks Into Gear as the Next Godzilla Feature Gets Underway|website=Warner Bros.|date=June 19, 2017}}</ref>
|-
|4
|''[[MonsterVerse#Godzilla vs. Kong .282020.29|Godzilla vs. Kong]]''
|[[2020 in film|2020]]
|[[Adam Wingard]]
|Unknown
|[[King Kong]]
|-
|}

===Cozzilla===
In 1976, Italian director [[Luigi Cozzi]] intended to re-release ''Godzilla'' in Italy. Facing resistance from exhibitors to showing a black and white film, Cozzi instead licensed a negative of ''Godzilla, King of the Monsters'' from Toho and created a new movie in color, adding lots of stock footage of graphic death and destruction and short scenes from newsreel footage from World War II, which he released as ''[[Godzilla (1977 film)|Godzilla]]'' in 1977. The film was colorized using a process called Spectrorama 70, where color gels are put on the original black and white film, becoming one of the first black and white movies to be colorized. Dialogue was dubbed into Italian and new music was added. After the initial Italian run, the negative became Toho's property and prints have only been exhibited in Italy. Italian firm Yamato Video at one time intended to release the colorized version on a double DVD along with the original ''Godzilla''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2009/05/31/talking-cozzilla-an-interview-with-italian-godzilla-director-luigi-cozzi/ |title=Talking COZZILLA: An Interview with Italian GODZILLA Director Luigi Cozzi |publisher=SciFi Japan |accessdate=November 11, 2012 |last=Desentis |first=John}}</ref>{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|pp=207–208}}

=== Guest appearances ===
In 2007, a [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] Godzilla appeared in the Toho [[slice of life]] movie ''[[Always Zoku Sanchōme no Yūhi]]'' (''Always: Sunset on Third Street 2''). In an imaginary sequence, Godzilla destroys part of 1959 Tokyo, with one of the main protagonists getting angry that Godzilla damaged his car showroom. The making of the sequence was kept a secret. Godzilla has been referenced and has briefly appeared in several other films.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2007/11/12/always-sunset-on-third-street-2/ |publisher=SciFiJapan.com |title=ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET- 2 |accessdate=May 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/abraham/detail?entry_id=88399 |title=Star Wars Day And Godzilla 2012 At Comic Con? |accessdate=May 16, 2011 | work=The San Francisco Chronicle |date=May 4, 2011}}</ref> Godzilla guest starred in the show ''[[Crayon Shin-chan]]'' as an antagonist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/07/03/godzilla-invades-the-animated-world-of-crayon-shin-chan|title=Godzilla Invades the Animated World of "Crayon Shin-Chan"|work=crunchyroll.com}}</ref> Godzilla also appears in cave paintings (alongside Rodan, Mothra and King Ghidorah) in a [[post-credits scene]] in ''[[Kong: Skull Island]]''.

== Box office and reception ==

=== Box office performance ===
Below is a chart listing the number of tickets sold for each Godzilla film in Japan including the imported Hollywood films. The films are listed from the most attended to the least attended. Almost all of the 1960s films were reissued, so the lifetime number of tickets sold is listed in small print underneath the initial release ticket numbers.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:25px;"|#
! style="width:300px;"|
Film
! style="width:50px;"|Year
! style="width:250px;"|Tickets sold
|-
|1
|
''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]''
|[[1962 in film|1962]]
|11.2 million
* {{small|Film has lifetime gross of 12.55 million}}
|-
|2
|
''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]''
|[[1954 in film|1954]]
|9.61 million
|-
|3
|
''[[Godzilla Raids Again]]''
|[[1955 in film|1955]]
|8.34 million
|-
|4
|
''[[Shin Godzilla]]''
|[[2016 in film|2016]]
|5.69 million
|-
|5
|
''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]''
|[[1964 in film|1964]]
|4.32 million
* {{small|Film has lifetime gross of 5.41 million}}
|-
|6
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Mothra]]''
|[[1992 in film|1992]]
|4.2 million

|-
|7
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Destoroyah]]''
|[[1995 in film|1995]]
|4 million
|-
|8
|
''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]''{{ref label|USA|'''N'''|1}}
|[[1998 in film|1998]]
|3.9 million
|-
|9
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]''
|[[1993 in film|1993]]
|3.8 million
|-
|10
|
''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]''
|[[1965 in film|1965]]
|3.78 million
* {{small|Film has lifetime gross of 5.13 million}}
|-
|11
|
''[[Mothra vs. Godzilla]]''
|[[1964 in film|1964]]
|3.51 million
* {{small|Film has lifetime gross of 7.2 million}}
|-
|12
|
''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]''
|[[1966 in film|1966]]
|3.45 million
* {{small|Film has lifetime gross of 4.21 million}}
|-
|13
|
''[[Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla]]''
|[[1994 in film|1994]]
|3.4 million
|-
|14
|
''[[The Return of Godzilla]]''
|[[1984 in film|1984]]
|3.2 million
|-
|15
|
''[[Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah]]''
|[[1991 in film|1991]]
|2.7 million
|-
|16
|
''[[Destroy All Monsters]]''
|[[1968 in film|1968]]
|2.58 million
|-
|17
|
''[[Son of Godzilla]]''
|[[1967 in film|1967]]
|2.48 million
* {{small|Film has lifetime gross of 3.09 million}}
|-
|18
|
''[[Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]]''
|[[2001 in film|2001]]
|2.4 million
|-
|19
|
[[Godzilla (2014 film)|''Godzilla'']]{{ref label|USA|'''N'''|1}}
|[[2014 in film|2014]]
|2.18 million
|-
|20
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Biollante]]''
|[[1989 in film|1989]]
|2.01 million
|-
|21
|
''[[Godzilla 2000|Godzilla 2000: Millennium]]''
|[[1999 in film|1999]]
|2 million
|-
|22
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]''
|[[1972 in film|1972]]
|1.78 million
|-
|23
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Hedorah]]''
|[[1971 in film|1971]]
|1.74 million
|-
|24
|
''[[Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla]]''
|[[2002 in film|2002]]
|1.7 million
|-
|25
|
''[[All Monsters Attack]]''
|[[1969 in film|1969]]
|1.48 million
|-
|26
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Megaguirus]]''
|[[2000 in film|2000]]
|1.35 million
|-
|27
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla]]''
|[[1974 in film|1974]]
|1.33 million
|-
|28
|
''[[Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.]]''
|[[2003 in film|2003]]
|1.1 million
|-
|29
|
''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''
|[[2004 in film|2004]]
|1 million
|-
|30
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]''
|[[1973 in film|1973]]
|0.98 million
|-
|31
|
''[[Terror of Mechagodzilla]]''
|[[1975 in film|1975]]
|0.97 million
|-
|32
|
''[[Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters]]''
|[[2017 in film|2017]]
|0.17 million
|-
|}
;Note
* {{note label|USA||1}} American films

===Critical reception===
''Note: Multiple films do not have a score on Rotten Tomatoes, but do have reviews, which have been converted to a score, the same way that Rotten Tomatoes calculates scores.''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:300px;"|
Film
! style="width:300px;"| [[Rotten Tomatoes]]
! style="width:300px;"| [[Metacritic]]
![[IMDb|IMDB]]
! style="width:300px;"| '''Average'''
|-
|
''[[Godzilla (1954 film)|Godzilla]]''
| '''93%''' (70 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Gojira|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gojira/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
| '''78'''
|7.5
| '''86'''
|-
|
''[[Godzilla Raids Again]]
| '''67%''' (3 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla Raids Again|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_raids_again/|website=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref>
|
|6
|
|-
|
''[[King Kong vs. Godzilla]]
| '''33%''' (12 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=King Kong vs. Godzilla|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/king_kong_vs_godzilla|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|5.9
|
|-
|
''[[Mothra vs. Godzilla]]
| '''90%''' (10 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Mothra vs. Godzilla|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_vs_mothra/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.5
|
|-
|
''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]''
| '''80%''' (5 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Ghidrah, The Three-Headed Monster|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ghidrah_the_three_headed_monster/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=15 July 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.7
|
|-
|
''[[Invasion of Astro-Monster]]''
| '''50%''' (2 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Invasion of Astro-Monster|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_vs_monster_zero/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.4
|
|-
|
''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]''
| '''33%''' (3 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Ebirah, Horror of the Deep|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_vs_the_sea_monster/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|5.3
|
|-
|
''[[Son of Godzilla]]''
| '''63%''' (8 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Son of Godzilla|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/son_of_godzilla/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|5.2
|
|-
|
''[[Destroy All Monsters]]''
| '''71%''' (7 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Destroy All Monsters|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/destroy_all_monsters/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.6
|
|-
|
''[[All Monsters Attack]]''
| '''29%''' (7 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=All Monsters Attack|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzillas-revenge/reviews/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|3.9
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Hedorah]]''
| '''64%''' (11 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla vs. Hedorah|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_vs_the_smog_monster/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Gigan]]''
| '''100%''' (1 review)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla vs Gigan|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1136388_godzilla_vs_gigan|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|5.7
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Megalon]]''
| '''43%''' (7 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla vs. Megalon|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_vs_megalon/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|4.5
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla]]''
| '''67%''' (6 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_vs_mechagodzilla/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.4
|
|-
|
''[[Terror of Mechagodzilla]]''
| '''100%''' (2 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Terror of Mechagodzilla|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/terror_of_mechagodzilla/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.2
|
|-
|
''[[The Return of Godzilla]]'' a.k.a. ''[[Godzilla 1985]]''
| '''13%''' (8 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla 1985|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_1985/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.2
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Biollante]]''
| '''67%''' (3 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla vs Biollante|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_vs_biollante/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.6
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah]]''
| '''20%''' (5 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_vs_king_ghidora/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.6
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Mothra]]
| '''67%''' (6 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla vs Mothra|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_and_mothra_the_battle_for_earth/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.2
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II]]''
| '''67%''' (3 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_vs_mechagodzilla_ii/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.6
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla]]''
| '''25%''' (4 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_vs_space_godzilla/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|5.9
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Destoroyah]]''
| '''100%''' (4 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla vs. Destoroyah|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_vs_destroyah/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.9
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]''
| '''16%''' (74 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla 1998|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
| '''32'''
|5.3
| '''24'''
|-
|
''[[Godzilla 2000: Millennium]]''
| '''57%''' (69 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla 2000|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_2000/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
| '''41'''
|6.1
| '''49'''
|-
|
''[[Godzilla vs. Megaguirus]]''
| ''No reviews''<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla vs Megaguirus|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_vs_megaguirus/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.3
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack]]''
| '''50%''' (14 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_mothra_and_king_ghidorah_giant_monsters_allout_attack|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|7.2
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla]]''
| '''0%''' (1 review)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_against_mechagodzilla/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.8
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.]]''
| '''100%''' (2 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_tokyo_sos/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.6
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]''
| '''40%''' (10 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla: Final Wars|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1152881_godzilla_final_wars|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
|
|6.5
|
|-
|
''[[Godzilla (2014 film)|Godzilla]]''
| '''74%''' (296 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Godzilla 2014|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzilla_2014/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
| '''62'''
|6.4
| '''68'''
|-
|
''[[Shin Godzilla]]
| '''83%''' (59 reviews)<ref>{{cite web|title=Shin Godzilla|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shin_godzilla/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
| '''68'''
|6.7
| '''76'''
|}

== Other media ==
{{Refimprove section|date=August 2016}}

=== Television ===
In Japan, Godzilla appeared in five out of 26 episodes of Toho's live-action ''[[Zone Fighter]]'' television program in 1973. Also in Japan, Godzilla (along with a plethora of other kaiju) appeared in an animated toy show called ''[[Godzilla Island]]'' that ran in 1997–1998.

Between 1994 and 1996, four 30 minute episode [[Original video animation|OVA's]] were created featuring Godzilla and various other kaiju from the Showa series of movies. The characters were depicted in a cute and friendly '[[chibi (term)|chibi]]'-esque anime style. The series of OVA's was titled ''Godzilland'' (ゴジランド ''Gojirando'') and was aimed at primary school age children. This series featured [[Godzilla]] (the main protagonist), Gojirin (a pink female version of Godzilla), [[Minilla]] (Godzilla Junior), [[Mothra]] (and two larvae versions of Mothra), [[King Ghidorah]], [[Gigan]], [[Hedorah]] (who is depicted as female in this adaption), [[Moguera]], [[Rodan]], [[Baragon]], [[Mechagodzilla]], [[Anguirus]] and [[Ebirah]]. ''Godzilland'' was conceived initially to sell merchandise for the Godzilla franchise. The depictions of Godzilla and the various other kaiju were featured on stickers, toys, cards and board games.

The educational media company [[Gakken]] and the film studio [[Toho]] are collaborating together to release 2 additional direct-to-video shorts of ''Godzilland'' which were both named under ''Recommend! Godzilland'' (すすめ！ゴジランド ''Susume! Gojirando'') in 1994. The main purpose of the first of the two video shorts was teaching Japanese children how to write in Hiragana (すすめ!ゴジランド～ひらがな - ''Susume! Gojirando ~ hi-ra ga na'') and the other was intended to teach Japanese children how to count. ( すすめ!ゴジランド～かず1・2・3 – ''Susume! Gojirando ~ kazu 1 2 3''). Both specials featured all the characters who were in the ''Godzilland'' TV anime series. Two other TV specials were released two years later by the same company, but had different educational topics. These two specials were centered around math. The first of these two specials was called "すすめ！ゴジランド-ゴジラとあそぼう たしざん - ''Susume! Gojirando – Gojira to asobouta shizan'' and the second was titled "すすめ！ゴジランド ゴジラとあそぼう ひきざん - ''Susume! Gojirando Gojira to asobou hiki zan''. These two specials centered around addition and subtraction.

''Godzilland'' also included live action segments, which featured a human girl and an actor in a Godzilla suit. The segments would consist of Godzilla telling the girl about his childhood adventures.

The success of the ''Godzilla'' franchise has spawned two American [[Saturday morning cartoons]]: the first one is the collaboration series produced by [[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Productions]] and co-produced by [[Toho]], ''[[Godzilla (animated series)|Godzilla]]'', and the second one produced by [[Sony Pictures Television]], ''[[Godzilla: The Series]]'', a cartoon sequel to the [[1998 film]]. Both series feature a scientific investigative team who call upon Godzilla as an ally, as well as making several homages to the Shōwa films. Several antagonist monsters in both series have been inspired by extant Toho creations.

In 1991, two Godzilla films, ''Godzilla vs. Megalon'' and ''Godzilla versus the Sea Monster'', were shown on the movie-mocking TV show ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''.

A creature resembling Godzilla in parody, alongside another parody character resembling what appears to be a cross between [[Ultraman]] and [[Kamen Rider]], appears in the television special ''[[Olive the Other Reindeer|Olive, The Other Reindeer]]'' during the song "Merry Christmas After All", during part of which Olive, Santa, and the other reindeer are shown passing through Tokyo delivering gifts. The two characters are shown to be friendly and taking part in the song and dance routine shown to include numerous figures, both real and fictional, in the show in various locations visited by the team as they make Santa's annual trip around the world.

Godzilla made an appearance in a [[Godzilla vs. Charles Barkley|Nike commercial]] in which Godzilla (this version was created at ILM) went one-on-one in an oversized basketball game with a giant version of the NBA star [[Charles Barkley]].

Godzilla has been referenced multiple times in the American animated TV sitcom ''[[The Simpsons]]''. Godzilla first appeared in the episode "[[Lisa on Ice]]" when Lisa imagines herself on Monster Island and is chased by various kaiju, including Godzilla. It has also been referenced in "[[Treehouse of Horror VI]]", "[[Mayored to the Mob]]" (where Godzilla can be seen signing autographs at [[Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi-Con]]), "[[Thirty Minutes over Tokyo]]" (in which the plane carrying the Simpson family is being attacked by Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra and Gamera), "[[Simpsons Tall Tales]]", "[[Treehouse of Horror XVI]]", "[[Homerazzi]]", "[[Wedding for Disaster]]", "[[The Real Housewives of Fat Tony]]", "[[Treehouse of Horror XXIV]]" and "[[Treehouse of Horror XXVI]]".

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!#
! style="width:200px;"|Title
!width="50"|Year
!Monster Co-star(s)
! style="width:150px;"|Licenses/Media
|-
|1
|''[[Zone Fighter]]''
|1973
|Red Spark, Jikiro, Destro-King, Dorora, Wargilgar, Spyler, [[King Ghidorah]], Dragon King, Gilmaras, Gelderah, Spideros, Garoga Gorilla, Shadorah, Shipdoror, [[Gigan]], Barakidon, Garaborg, Detragon, Zandora, Mogranda, Balgaras, Gundarguirus, Goram, Jellar, Kastom Jellar, Super Jikiro, Bakugon, Needlar, Kabutogirah, Grotogauros
|Unknown
|-
|2
|''[[Godzilla (animated series)|Godzilla]]''
|1978-1979
|[[Godzilla (animated series)#Series monsters and villains|Godzooky, Fire Bird, Earth Eater, Stone Guardians of Ramal, Megavolt Monsters, Seaweed Monsters, Energy Beast, Colossus, Cyclops Creature, Chimera, Minotaur, Magnetic Monster, Breeder Beast, Great Watchuka, ''Diplodocus'', Time Dragon a.k.a. ''Allosaurus'', Giant Squid, Giant Fly, Axor, Power Dragon, Giant Octopus, Cyborg Whale, Giant Venus' Flytrap, Giant Bees, Giant Dragonfly, Giant Ants, Giant Beetle, Giant Black Widow Spider, Moon Monster, Giant Magma Lizards, Macro-Spider Crab, Macro-Sea Turtle, Macro-Jellyfish, Macro-Tropical Fish, Macro-Sharks, Macro-Squids, Macro-Sea Horses, Macro-Electric Eels, Flying Macro-Manta Ray, Golden Guardians of Kyat-nor]]
|Universal Studios|Universal – DVD
|-
|3
|''[[Godzilla Island]]''
|1997-1998
|[[Godzilla Junior]], [[Mothra]], [[Battra]], [[Rodan]], [[King Ghidorah]], [[Mecha-King Ghidorah]], [[Mechagodzilla]], [[Anguirus]], [[Gigan]], [[Hedorah]], [[SpaceGodzilla]], [[Destoroyah]], [[Baragon]], [[King Caesar]], [[Moguera]], [[Megalon]], [[Gorosaurus]], [[Kamacuras]], [[Jet Jaguar]], [[Dogora]]
|Unknown
|-
|4
|''[[Godzilla: The Series]]''
|1998-2000
|[[Godzilla: The Series#Monsters|Crustaceous Rex, Giant Squids, Nanotech Creature, El Gusano Gigante, Cyber-Flies, Giant Rats, ''Cryptoclidus'', Reptilians, Crackler, Queen Bee, Quetzalcoatl, Ice Borers, Loch Ness Monster, Giant Albino Yeti a.k.a. Robo-Yeti, King Cobra, Termite Queen, Giant Bat, Cyber-Godzilla, Chameleon, Bacillus, Giant Mutant Black Widow Spider, Techno-Sentient, Silver Hydra, D.N.A. Mimic, Lizard Slayers, Swamp Beast, Fire Monster, Norzzug the Iron Lion, Giant Mutant Hummingbirds, Medusa, Giant Gila Monster, Megapede a.k.a. Giant Cicada, Giant Centipede, Ts-eh-Go, ''Armillaria'', Shrewster, Skeetera, D.R.A.G.M.A.s, Mutant Jellyfish, Komodithrax, Giant Turtle, Thorny Devil, Giant Armadillo, Desert Lizard, Desert Rat, Deep-Dweller, Rhinosaurus, Giant Water Beetle]]
|[[Mill Creek Entertainment]] – DVD
|-
|}

=== Video games ===
{{Main|List of Godzilla games}}

A game called ''Gojira-kun'' (which was previously to be titled ''Gojiraland''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tcrf.net/Godzilla-kun|title=Godzilla-kun – The Cutting Room Floor|work=tcrf.net}}</ref>) was released for the [[MSX]] in 1985. The art style is similar to the style used in the Godzilland [[Original video animation|OVA's]].

In 1990, ''Gojira-kun: Kaijū Daikōshin'' was released for the Game Boy. It featured sprites that were similar to the ones used in ''Gojira-kun''. The game included cut scenes that depicted a different style to the rest of the game.

In 1993, ''[[Super Godzilla]]'' Bagan, one created Toho approved creation, was released for the SNES and featured Original Monsters that were only-video game Kaiju in A Former Film/Movie.

In 2007, ''[[Godzilla: Unleashed|Godzilla Wii/DS]]'' Krystalak and Obsidius, two newly created Toho approved creations, was released for the Wii and DS and featured Original Monsters that were video game Kaiju.

Legendary's Godzilla was featured as a playable character in Bandai Namco's 2014 video game ''[[Godzilla (2014 video game)|Godzilla]]'' as "Hollywood Godzilla".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamestop.com/ps4/games/godzilla/119160|title=Godzilla for PlayStation 4|work=Gamestop|date=|accessdate=May 30, 2015}}</ref>

The widely popular video game ''[[Pokémon]]'' has made multiple references to Godzilla. The Dark/Rock type Pokémon [[Tyranitar]] is a direct reference to Godzilla. The Pokémon's appearance is a large green lizard monster type creature who is characterised as an unstoppable force.

In 2015–present, ''Gojira'' and ''Godzilla 2600'' from [[Homebrew (video games)|Homebrew]] fangame was released for the NES and Atari 2600.

=== Literature ===
{{Main|Godzilla (comics)}}
A Godzilla [[Godzilla (Marc Cerasini series)|series of books]] was published by [[Random House]] during the late 1990s. The company created different series for different age groups, the [[Godzilla (Scott Ciencin series)|Scott Ciencin series]] being aimed at preteens and the [[Godzilla (Marc Cerasini series)|Marc Cerasini series]] being aimed at teens and young adults. Several [[manga]] have been derived from specific ''Godzilla'' films and both [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] and [[Dark Horse Comics|Dark Horse]] have published ''Godzilla'' comic book series (1977–1979 and 1987–1999, respectively). In 2011, IDW Publishing started a new series ''Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters'' rebooting the Godzilla story. It was followed by two sequel series, ''Godzilla'' (published in book form as ''Godzilla: History's Greatest Monster'') and ''Godzilla: Rulers of Earth'', as well as seven five-issue mini-series to date.

To tie-in with the 2014 film, three books were published. [[Titan Books]] published a novelization of the movie in May 2014, written by Greg Cox. The graphic novel ''Godzilla: Awakening'' by Max Borenstein, Greg Borenstein and Eric Battle served as a prequel, and ''Godzilla: The Art of Destruction'' by Mark Cotta told about the making of the movie.

Godzilla has been referenced in ''[[The Simpsons]]'' comics on three separate occasions. The character is featured in ''Bart Simpson's Guide to Life'' where it and other kaiju characters such as [[Minilla]] and [[King Ghidorah]] can be seen; it is featured in the comic "''An Anime Among Us!'''' and ''K-Bart''. Godzilla is also featured in the comic ''Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror 7'' where it and other kaiju can be seen referenced on the front cover.

Godzilla has also been referenced in Marc Brown's ''[[Arthur (TV series)|Arthur]]'' adventure book called ''Arthur's April Fool'' where Francine told Arthur & Buster that they need to pick on someone their own size like Godzilla. Both [[Godzilla]] & [[Arthur Read|Arthur]] became the two of the most popular characters to known for.

=== Music ===
[[Blue Öyster Cult]] released the song "[[Godzilla (song)|Godzilla]]" in 1977. Artists such as [[Fu Manchu]], [[Racer X (band)|Racer X]] and [[Double Experience]] have included cover versions of this song on their albums.

American musician [[Michale Graves]] wrote a song titled "Godzilla" for his 2005 album, "Punk Rock Is Dead." The lyrics mention Godzilla and several on-screen adversaries such as Mothra, Hedorah, Destroyah, and Gigan.<ref>[[Punk Rock Is Dead]]</ref>

The Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura has a song titled "Biotech is Godzilla" on its 1993 release "Chaos A.D."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/sepultura/biotech%20is%20godzilla_20123343.html|title=Biotech Is Godzilla Lyrics – Sepultura|work=lyricsfreak.com}}</ref>

The French death metal band [[Gojira (band)|Gojira]] named the band after Godzilla's name in Japanese.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gojira-mn0000721409/biography |title=Gojira: Biography |website=allmusic |accessdate=January 14, 2018}}</ref>

The song "Simon Says" by Pharoahe Monch is a hip-hop remix of the [[Godzilla March]] theme song. The instrumental version of this song was notably used in the 2000 film ''[[Charlie's Angels (film)|Charlie's Angels]]''.

The British band [[Lostprophets]] released a song called "[[We Are Godzilla, You Are Japan]]" on its second studio album ''[[Start Something]]''.

The American punk band [[Groovie Ghoulies]] released a song called "Hats off to You (Godzilla)" as a tribute to Godzilla. It is featured on the EP 'Freaks on Parade' released in 2002.

The American artist [[Doctor Steel]] released a song called 'Atomic Superstar' about Godzilla on his album "[[People of Earth (album)|People of Earth]]" in 2002.

In 2003, the British singer [[Siouxsie Sioux]] released the album ''[[Hái!]]'' with her band [[The Creatures]]; the album had a Japanese theme with a song dedicated to the monster, simply titled "[[Godzilla!]]"

The record label Shifty issued compilation ''Destroysall'' with 15 songs from 15 bands, ranging from hardcore punk to doom-laden death metal. Not all songs are dedicated to Godzilla, but all do appear connected to monsters from Toho Studios. Fittingly, the disc was released on August 1, 2003, the 35th anniversary of the Japanese release of ''Destroy All Monsters''.

King Geedorah (a.k.a. [[MF Doom|MF DOOM]]) released ''[[Take Me to Your Leader (King Geedorah album)|Take Me to Your Leader]]'', a hip-hop album featuring guests from the group [[Monsta Island Czars]], another Godzilla-themed hip hop group. These albums include multiple Godzilla samples throughout the series.

Taiwanese American electronic musician [[Mochipet]] released the EP ''Godzilla Rehab Center'' on August 21, 2012, featuring songs named after monsters in the series including Gigan, King Ghidorah, Moguera and Hedorah.

== Cultural impact ==
{{Main|Godzilla in popular culture}}

Godzilla is one of the most recognizable symbols of [[Japanese popular culture]] worldwide and is an important facet of Japanese films, embodying the [[Kaijū|kaiju]] subset of the tokusatsu genre. It has been considered a filmographic [[metaphor]] for the United States (with the "[[-zilla]]" part of the name being used in vernacular language as a suffix to indicate something of exaggerated proportions), as well as an allegory of nuclear weapons in general. The earlier ''Godzilla'' films, especially the original ''Godzilla'', portrayed Godzilla as a frightening, nuclear monster. Godzilla represented the fears that many Japanese held about the nuclear attacks on [[Hiroshima]] and [[Nagasaki, Nagasaki|Nagasaki]] and the possibility of recurrence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/popcult/handouts/metaphor/godzilla/godzilla.html |title=The Monster That Morphed Into a Metaphor |author=Terrence Rafferty |date=May 2, 2004 }}</ref>

At least two [[prehistoric creatures]] from the [[fossil record]] have been named after Godzilla. ''[[Gojirasaurus]] quayi'' is a [[theropod]] [[dinosaur]] that lived in the [[Triassic Period]]; a partial skeleton was unearthed in [[Quay County, New Mexico]].<ref name="about">{{cite web| url=http://dinosaurs.about.com/od/carnivorousdinosaurs/p/gojirasaurus.htm|title=Gojirasaurus|last=Strauss|first=Bob|work=About.com:Dinosaurs|publisher=New York Times|accessdate=17 January 2010}}</ref> ''[[Dakosaurus andiniensis]]'', a [[crocodile]] from the [[Jurassic Period]], was nicknamed "Godzilla" before being [[scientific classification|scientifically classified]].

In 2010 the [[Sea Shepherd Conservation Society]] named their most recently acquired scout vessel MV ''Gojira''. Toho, the people in charge of the Godzilla franchise, served them with a notice to remove the name and in response the boat's name was changed in May 2011 to [[MV Brigitte Bardot|MV ''Brigitte Bardot'']].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-110525-1.html |title=The Beast Transforms into a Beauty as Godzilla Becomes the Brigitte Bardot – Sea Shepherd Conservation Society |publisher=Seashepherd.org |date=2011-05-25 |accessdate=2013-10-16 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703225105/http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-110525-1.html |archivedate=2011-07-03 |df= }}</ref>

=== Awards ===
{{refimprove|date=January 2016}}
* 1954 Japan Movie Association Awards – Special Effects (''Godzilla 1954''){{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=47}}
* 1965 Japan Academy Award – Best Score (''Mothra vs. Godzilla'')
* 1966 Japan Academy Award – Special Effects (''Invasion of Astro Monster'')
* 1986 Japan Academy Award – Special Effects and Newcomer of the Year (''The Return of Godzilla'')
* 1986 Razzie Awards – Worst Supporting Actor and Worst New Star (''The Return of Godzilla'')
* 1992 Japan Academy Award – Special Effects (''Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah'')
* 1993 Tokyo Sports Movie Awards – Best Leading Actor (''Godzilla vs. Mothra'')
* 1993 Best Grossing Films Award – Golden Award and Money-Making Star Award (''Godzilla vs. Mothra'')
* 1993 Japan Academy Award – Best Score (''Godzilla vs. Mothra'')
* 1994 Japan Academy Award – Best Score (''Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II'')
* 1995 Best Grossing Films Award – Silver Award (''Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla'')
* 1996 Best Grossing Films Award – Golden Award (''Godzilla vs. Destoroyah'')
* 1996 Japan Academy Award – Special Effects (''Godzilla vs. Destoroyah'')
* 1996 MTV Movie Awards – Lifetime Achievement*
* 1998 Golden Raspberry Awards – Worst Supporting Actress and Worst Remake or Sequel (''Godzilla 1998'')
* 1999 Saturn Awards – Best Special Effects (''Godzilla 1998'')
* 2001 Saturn Awards – Best Home Video Release (''Godzilla 2000'')
* 2002 Best Grossing Films Award – Silver Award (''Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack'')
* 2004 [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000693/2004|title=Walk of Fame (2004)|work=imdb.com}}</ref>
* 2007 Saturn Awards – Best DVD Classic Film Release (''Godzilla 1954'')
* 2014 22nd Annual Japan Cool Content Contribution Award (''Godzilla 2014'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/legendarys-godzilla-receive-japanese-governmental-725714|title=Legendary's 'Godzilla' to Receive Japanese Governmental Award|last=Siegemund-Broka|first=Austin|work=Hollywood Reporter|date=August 14, 2014|accessdate=January 19, 2016}}</ref>
* 2017 40th Japan Academy Prize - Best Picture, Best Director, Cinematography, Lighting Direction, Art Direction, Sound Recording, Film Editing (''Shin Godzilla'')<ref>{{cite web |url= http://japan-academy-prize.jp/prizes/40_special.html|title= 日本アカデミー賞公式サイト|work= Japan Academy Prize}}</ref>

(*) In 1996 Godzilla received an award for Lifetime Achievement at the [[MTV Movie Awards]]. Creator and producer Shōgo Tomiyama accepted on his behalf via satellite and was joined by "Godzilla" himself.

== See also ==
{{Wikipedia books|Godzilla}}
* [[Kaiju]]
* [[Tokusatsu]]
* [[King Kong]]
* [[Mothra]]
* [[Gamera]]
* [[Ultraman]]
* ''[[Rampage (2018 film)|Rampage]]''
* ''[[Pacific Rim (film)|Pacific Rim]]''
* [[MonsterVerse]]
* ''[[The Lost World (1925 film)|The Lost World]]'' (1925)

== References ==
;Notes
{{Reflist|group=Note}}
{{Reflist|group=Note}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|group=Note}}
{{Notelist}}
;Bibliography
* {{cite book |last=Galbraith IV|first= Stuart|year=1994|title= Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films: A Critical Analysis of 103 Features Released in the United States, 1950–1992|publisher=McFarland|isbn=|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last=Galbraith IV|first=Stuart |title=Monsters Are Attacking Tokyo: The Incredible World of Japanese Fantasy Films|publisher=Feral House|date=1998 |isbn=0922915474 |ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last=Galbraith IV |first=Stuart |year=2008 |title=The Toho Studios Story: A History and Complete Filmography |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=1461673747 |ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last=Kalat |first=David |year=2007 |title=A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-4749-7 |ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last=Kalat|first=David|year=2010|title=A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series (2nd Edition)|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786447497|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last1=Lees |first1=J.D. |last2=Cerasini |first2=Marc |title=The Official Godzilla Compendium |publisher=Random House |year=1998 |isbn=0-679-88822-5 |ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last=Ragone |first=August |year=2014 |title=Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters (2nd Edition)|publisher=Chronicle Books |isbn=978-0-8118-6078-9 |ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last=Ryfle |first=Steve |title=Japan's Favorite Mon-Star: The Unauthorized Biography of the Big G |year=1998 |publisher=ECW Press |isbn= 9781550223484|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last1=Ryfle|first1=Steve|last2=Godziszewski|first2=Ed |title=Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa|publisher=Wesleyan University Press|year=2017|isbn=9780819570871|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last=Solomon |first=Brian |year=2017 |title=Godzilla FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the King of the Monsters |publisher=Applause Theatre & Cinema Books |isbn=9781495045684 |ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last=Tsutsui | first = William |title=Godzilla On My Mind: Fifty Years of the King of Monsters |year=2004 |publisher=Palgrave MacMillan |isbn=1-4039-6474-2 |ref=harv}}

== External links ==
*{{Commons category-inline|Godzilla}}
*{{Wikiquote-inline}}

{{Godzilla}}
{{Godzilla video games}}
{{KingKong}}
{{Mothra}}
{{MonsterVerse}}

[[Category:Godzilla|*]]
[[Category:Film series]]
[[Category:Japanese adventure films]]
[[Category:Japanese epic films]]
[[Category:Japanese science fiction action films]]
[[Category:Media franchises]]
[[Category:Science fiction by franchise]]
[[Category:Science fiction films by series]]
[[Category:Kaiju films]]
[[Category:Bandai brands]]
[[Category:Giant monster films]]
[[Category:Films adapted into television programs]]
[[Category:Films adapted into video games]]
[[Category:Films adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Japanese fantasy films]]
[[Category:Monster movies]]

Revision as of 15:00, 16 February 2018

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