5 ‘Godzilla’ Movies to Watch To Get Hype For ‘Godzilla Minus One’

Godzilla Minus One stomped into American theaters last week, and people have been racing to see the big guy on the big screen.

Directed by award-winning Japanese filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki, Godzilla Minus One has been generating buzz as one of the best Godzilla flicks in years. The film takes place earlier than any other film in the franchise (hence the title), in postwar Japan 1945-7. The movie, which opened in Japan last month, stars Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, and Kuranosuke Sasaki. Taking on a more serious, somber tone than many of these campy monster movies, Godzilla Minus One has fans comparing the film to some of the most celebrated entries in the franchise.

Because the film takes place in 1945, years before Godzilla shows up in any of the other movies, you do not need to see any other Godzilla movies in preparation for the film. But if you’re the type of person who likes extra credit, read on for a list of Godzilla movies to watch before you see Godzilla Minus One.

Which Godzilla movies to watch before Godzilla Minus One:

Godzilla Minus One is a standalone Godzilla film, which means you do not need to watch any other movies before you see it. That said, if you want to brush on everyone’s favorite big scaly monster before you head to the theater, here a few movies that you can watch at home that might get you in the right headspace.

1. Shin Godzilla (2016)

   Again, Godzilla Minus One is a standalone prequel film, and you don’t need to watch anything before you see it. That said, if you’re determined to do homework, it might be a good idea to watch the first movie in the “Reiwa era” of Godzilla, which started with 2016’s Shin Godzilla, and includes the most recent 2023 film. This reboot, which was well-liked by fans, drew inspiration from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, turning Godzilla from an atomic war bomb metaphor into a natural disaster metaphor.

   where to watch shin godzilla

2. Godzilla (1954)

   It’s the monster movie that started it all: The original Godzilla movie! Unlike the majority of the Godzilla movies that followed, this first film was a true horror movie. There are no campy monster battles, just a very scary monster attack in the already traumatized post-war Japan. You can watch the original Japanese version, or you can watch the heavily edited “Americanized” version, Godzilla, King of the Monsters!, released in 1956 with new scenes and an English-language dub. You can stream it for free with ads on Tubi!

   where to watch godzilla (1954)

3. The Return of Godzilla (1984)

   After you get a taste of the original Godzilla series from the ’50s and ’60s, you can go ahead and skip forward to the first entry in the ’80s reboot series. This is the first entry in the “Heisei era,” and is intended as a direct sequel/reboot to the 1954 film. Like the first film, this Godzilla takes on a darker tone. Monsters are serious business! Unfortunately, the film is not currently available to stream online via any legal digital platforms. But have a look around—we have faith that you’ll find it.

4. Destroy All Monsters (1968)

   If you want to go in the complete opposite direction of the seriously, dramatic kaiju movies that Godzilla Minus One is emulating, you might try this 1968 Godzilla film that features no less than eleven monsters from the Godzilla universe. I’m talking Mothra, Rodan, King Ghidorah, and so much more. It’s pure, campy, monster battle fun, and will be a good contrast to the gritty tone of Godzilla Minus One. Plus, it’s streaming free on Tubi.

   where to watch destroy all monsters

5. Godzilla 2000 (1999)

   If you’re making a Godzilla movie marathon out of it, you might as well get a taste of every era in the Japanese film series, right? Godzilla 2000 is the first movie in the “Millennium era,” and was the second reboot of the franchise. Like the 1984 film before it, it’s intended as a direct sequel to the original 1954 film. It leans more toward campy entertainment than serious monster business, and it sure is fun to watch the big guy stomp on stuff.

   where to watch godzilla 2000