Godzilla

Play trailer

1:39

Godzilla

Released Nov 3, 1954

1h 38m

Sci-Fi

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

77 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

A fire-breathing behemoth terrorizes Japan after an atomic bomb awakens it from its centuries-old sleep.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

More than straight monster-movie fare, Gojira offers potent, sobering postwar commentary.

Read Critics Reviews

Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

...a portrait of a country less than a decade removed from the horrors of the atomic bomb, reckoning - in a movie that is still fun and thrilling - with that trauma.

Rated: 4.5/5

Apr 3, 2021

Full Review

Chris Vognar

Dallas Morning News

It's a terse, lean terror with a big, swinging tail.

Rated: B+

May 8, 2014

Full Review

Andrew O'Hehir

Salon.com

While the acting is hit-and-miss and the story jumps around somewhat confusingly, Honda's film is a one-of-a-kind experience all the way through, one that stands the test of time better than I had expected.

Apr 18, 2014

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Its anti-war message still resonates.

Rated: A-

Jun 24, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

It resonates as a true tale of horror rather than just another creature feature.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 18, 2024

Full Review

Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

It transforms the trauma of the second war and the atomic end into a demigod who comes to avenge what they have done with the land... [Full review in Spanish]

Mar 6, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Joel S

Very good classic Monster Movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/04/22

Full Review

Yakobu

The classic that started it all is more than just a monster flick. Godzilla was first intended as much more than a scary monster. This film was released less than a decade after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The people who made and performed in this movie lived through the war, and the emotions are strongly felt in this very poignant, powerful drama. This important and beautiful film is not to be missed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/04/21

Full Review

johnathan

Best classic Godzilla in 4k

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/04/21

Full Review

Audience Member

This is an incredible film for it’s time, a tale of post WW2 Japan dealing with the impacts of the atomic bomb, a group have to make the decision of detonating a weapon that will destroy the monster Godzilla, but in the process potentially creating a greater danger to humanity in the form of the oxygen destroyer. The effects are incredible for it’s time and the story is clear and easy to follow, and the actors thrive in their roles. The only real issue is that the pacing is a little slow a times, but that problem goes away in the 2nd act. Truly one of the greatest movies in history

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

Full Review

Benjie P

Its something you just can’t hate, perfection. Its the one that started a 70 year old legacy (The franchise is likely older than this by the time your reading this review) of a movie from japans traumatic past. This is a movie you must see. One of my all time favorite movies!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/21/24

Full Review

Laura B

A Masterpiece of horror, romance, and monster action. The original Gojira is an iconic staple of Japanese culture and deserves every bit of praise it clamps into its jaws.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/13/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Ishirô Honda

Director

Takashi Shimura

Dr. Kyohei Yamane

Momoko Kochi

Emiko Yamane

Akira Takarada

Hideto Ogata

Akihiko Hirata

Dr. Daisuke Serizawa

Sachio Sakai

Newspaper Reporter Hagiwara

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

12 Unique Depictions of Tokyo in the Movies

Character Face-Off: The Best Version of 15 Mega Popular Movie and TV Characters

Top 10 Movie Mutants

Godzilla: Trailer 1

1:39

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

A fire-breathing behemoth terrorizes Japan after an atomic bomb awakens it from its centuries-old sleep.

Director: Ishirô Honda
Producer: Tomoyuki Tanaka
Screenwriter: Ishirô Honda, Shigeru Kayama
Distributor: Rialto Pictures
Production Co: Toho Company Ltd., Jewell Enterprises
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 3, 1954, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 20, 2014
Runtime: 1h 38m

Most Popular at Home Now