The Godzilla movies are the definitive giant monster movies. While they were not the first to do giant monsters, they revolutionized them to become cinematic icons. Future movies including Cloverfield, Pacific Rim, and Gamera would take inspiration from the King of the Monsters as a result.
Whether they’re scary, funny, intimidating, or downright cool, the Kaiju monsters of the Godzilla franchise are timeless additions to the science fiction genre. Some have become legendary, while others have dropped off the radar, but there’s no shortage of cool Kaiju to enjoy on-screen across numerous Godzilla films.
Updated on June 12th, 2021 by Melody MacReady: When it comes to the Godzilla movies, there have been thirty-six live-action and animated movies, a few animated movies, and multiple timelines over the course of nearly seventy years. As a result, a lot of kaiju have been introduced and reimagined; leading to some monsters gaining cult followings or rising to the popularity of other monsters. It’s hard to stop at just ten monsters as there are several more kaiju that deserve credit where it is due. Some of these monsters range from heroes to villains and anti-heroes and some even fit in all three categories depending on the incarnation.
Jet Jaguar
Despite appearing in one of the most mocked Godzilla movies, Jet Jaguar’s presence left an impact. He was the result of a fan creating a new kaiju for the franchise via a contest. The result is a humanoid robot that can grow to any size, including the size of Godzilla to help fight Megalon.
His appearance in Godzilla VS Megalon would not be his last appearance. He would return in several video games, comics, and has made his biggest return in the Godzilla: Singular Point anime.
Anguirus
This kaiju does not get enough credit as he was the first time Godzilla ever fought another monster. Though Godzilla Raids Again is often considered one of the worst Godzilla sequels, without it, there wouldn’t be all the many monster brawls that fans love so much.
Anguirus appears in Destroy All Monsters, Godzilla VS Gigan, Godzilla VS Megalon, and is another monster that got his big return in Singular Point.
Space Godzilla
Completely bland name aside, Space Godzilla was the second new villain of the Heisei era of Godzilla. His origin is left ambiguous; it’s theorized that Godzilla’s DNA went into a black hole and resulted in this evil clone. In terms of being a threat, he nails it as he’s much more nimble and capable of flight.
His crystalline growths also fire powerful lasers that nearly kill Godzilla until M.O.G.U.E.R.A. assisted in its destruction. Space Godzilla is also pure evil as he is shown to actually attack Godzilla Jr. and capture him without any remorse.
M.U.T.O.
When Legendary Pictures rebooted Godzilla in 2014, they knew they’d need a good monster for him to face down. Luckily they came up with one of the cooler designs out there, the M.U.T.O. which stands for Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism.
These parasitic creatures awaken from a long slumber to begin taking the world apart piece by piece, awakening Godzilla himself to restore the balance. The M.U.T.O. are inherently ironic given that they are the first true big-screen Kaiju featured in an American Godzilla film.
Destoroyah
This principle baddie was born from the very weapon that killed Godzilla in the original film, the Oxygen Destroyer. This menacing being starts out small but soon morphs into one of Godzilla’s most fearsome and malevolent foes.
Destoroyah could handle some of Godzilla’s attacks that would obliterate lesser foes, plus his regenerative capabilities and vicious nature made him terrifying in a pit fight. He nearly killed Godzilla outright – one of the few Kaiju to manage it.
Hedorah
In the Showa era, most of the monsters that Godzilla fought were just big that: big monsters that caused simple destruction. Hedorah, also known as the Smog Monster, is a much more horrifying villain. Hedorah kills using pollution which leads to some graphic body horror kills that likely traumatized some children.
Even when fighting Godzilla, his toxic muck melts and burns pieces of Godzilla himself. Much like Godzilla, Hedorah is a social commentary on mankind’s constant pollution and its destructive force. This makes Hedorah a well-rounded villain, especially with his many designs and forms.
Orga
In Godzilla: 2000, Godzilla fights a rather bizarre monster. It’s said to be a civilization of millions of aliens acting as one to create a giant jellyfish-like monster. However, the moment they absorb Godzilla’s DNA, the aliens fuse into one being known as Orga.
Orga is a rather unique monster mixing alien and Godzilla designs into a being that constantly changes and gets stronger and stronger. He’s creepy, disturbing, and manages to do a lot of damage in one movie. He made such a big splash that he returned in the games and made a quick cameo in Godzilla: Planet Of The Monsters.
Rodan
Rodan got his start in his own film, a rare treat for other Kaiju. This large pterosaur has flip-flopped between evil and benevolent several times, but it usually there was a destructive force for Godzilla to contend with.
This Kaiju is best known for its supersonic speed and wing power, which can cause hurricane-level destruction. In the MonsterVerse version, he has wings that are fused with the lava he rests in, allowing him to burn everything in his path.
Gigan
When the franchise began looking to the stars for an appropriate foe for Godzilla to fight, Gigan proved to be a perfect choice. This Cyborg Kaiju was controlled by an alien race seeking to destroy Earth alongside King Ghidorah, but Godzilla was having none of it.
The creature has popped up several times to do battle with Godzilla, most notably in Godzilla: Final Wars, where he takes on dual forms. Gigan and Mothra share a long-term rivalry; the former having suffered defeat by the latter, thousands of years prior.
Biollante
Meet Biollante, the Kaiju that sent young kids screaming in terror from the living room. This menacing-looking Kaiju is a grotesque hybrid of Godzilla and human DNA, along with plant life.
It evolved quickly into a horrible creature capable of regenerating its body, spitting radioactive sap, and shrugging off heavy attacks. Although large in appearance, Biollante is quite nimble and capable of moving around with great speed.
King Kong
One of Godzilla’s chief rivals is undoubtedly the Great Ape, himself. The towering Kong is a veteran survivor of the harsh environment on Skull Island, and a force of nature to be reckoned with. King Kong has faced off against Godzilla once before (with hilarious results), and the two share an instinctual rivalry.
However, King Kong is clearly the more sentient of the two and is capable of communicating mercy and compassion if warranted. King Kong has battles Godzilla twice now: once in the Showa era and in the Monsterverse’s Godzilla vs. Kong in 2021.
Mechagodzilla
In actuality, Mechagodzilla isn’t one Kaiju, but many of different designs and origins. Its first form debuted in 1974 as a robot designed by aliens to kill Godzilla, before it was defeated.
The second version of Mechagodzilla was constructed as a means of fending off attacks from Godzilla and other Kaiju. The third was built from the template of the first Godzilla destroyed in 1954 but went rogue when its memory engrams kicked in, sending it to destroy Tokyo. No matter what form Mechagodzilla takes, it’s bound to be entertaining.
King Ghidorah
This Kaiju is one of the most memorable in the Godzilla franchise, thanks largely to its menacing three-headed design and horrifying destructive powers. Not of this Earth, King Ghidorah is actually an alien creature with a bad history of destroying other planets.
When it makes its way to Earth, Godzilla and Rodan join forces with Mothra to defeat it, but that wouldn’t be the last time Ghidorah made an appearance. Each time it shows up, Godzilla is in for a thrashing.
Mothra
The Queen of the Monsters: Mothra has appeared many times throughout the Godzilla franchise and her own, and they’re not all the same being, either. At first a revered, benevolent, and very old Kaiju, Mothra eventually died, paving the way for her offspring to take center stage in subsequent movies.
The creature itself is iconic for its distinctive design, personality, and attack prowess. It may not look like much, but Mothra can hold her own in a fight, even if that means going up against Godzilla himself. She even has her own iconic theme song.
Godzilla
Naturally, Godzilla needed to be at the top of this list. He’s simply the King, and always will be, no matter what crazy new design is given to him. Originally the mutated product of atom bomb testing in the Pacific Ocean, the original Godzilla was a destructive force that needed to be put down.
The second Godzilla has remained a series favorite for decades, switching from of control wrecking ball to a protector of Earth and humanity. Short-tempered and instinctually aggressive to most creatures, Godzilla will either eradicate a foe or attempt to drive it into submission. The wise Kaiju cultivate his favor, while the brazen tend to taste the fiery end of his Atomic Breath.
