If King of the Monsters didn't quite quench your thirst for Godzilla goodness, fear not, we've got you covered for what to check out next...
4. Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001)
Director: Shûsuke Kaneko
Starring: Chiharu Niiyama, Ryûdô Uzaki, Masahiro Kobayashi
In this fan-favourite (known colloquially as GMK), Godzilla is possessed by the angered spirits of Japan’s war victims, who want to punish the nation out of disdain for what it has become. Ghidorah is reimagined as an ancient protector who fights alongside Mothra to hold off Godzilla’s onslaught.
The spectacle of its special effects has worn off somewhat over the years, but the film is still a superb package of all the qualities of a great Godzilla flick: awe-inspiring action sequences, likeable lead characters, scathing social commentary and a memorable main theme.
2. Shin Godzilla (2016)
Director: Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi
Starring: Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, Satomi Ishihara
Godzilla’s arrival in Japan is retold in Shin Godzilla, heavily inspired by the true events of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.
In this Japan Academy Prize-winning hit, a giant armless lizard drags itself ashore, causing minimal damage – but due to the inefficiency of the Japanese government, it quickly mutates into something much more dangerous.
Chief director Hideaki Anno combines horror, satire and drama to create a stylish political thriller unlike any other. The acting and cinematography are exceptional, and while the CGI isn’t quite up to Hollywood standards, this film is a reminder that Japan is still the best at making Godzilla movies.
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