11 Biggest And Baddest Kaiju From The Godzilla Movies Ranked
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There are few movie monsters as famous than Godzilla. The huge, city-levelling radioactive lizard smashed his way onto screens in the classic 1954 Japanese movie of the same name, which channeled post-war anxiety about nuclear power into a dark, thrilling big monster classic. The huge success of that film led to an entire decades-spanning franchise, with dozens of Godzilla spin-off movies hitting screens over the following years.
Two changes were made initially after that first big Godzilla success. The tone lightened a little--subsequent Godzilla movies frequently tackled topical subjects, from war to the environment, but the emphasis was definitely on monster action as much as social commentary. And more importantly, Godzilla was quickly joined by other giant movie monsters. They were commonly known as kaiju, an ancient Japanese term used to describe legendary and mythical monsters. These creatures varied wildly in appearance--from flying serpents and three-headed dragons to lumbering armoured beasts and bugs. Some were Godzilla's enemies, some were on his side--but all were linked by their incredible size and destructive powers.
As the decades continued, more and more outlandish monsters were introduced. The popularity of robot-themed anime in the '70s led to mecha version of some favorite kaiju, while the epic 2004 movie Godzilla: Final Wars bought together dozens of creatures for what was intended to be their final showdown.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters is the latest Hollywood interpretation of these classic kaiju. The movie hits theaters on May 31, and features three iconic monsters alongside Godzilla--Rodan, Mothra, and King Ghidorah. These are perhaps the best known kaiju from the classic movies, but they only tell part of the story. We know that Godzilla's next fight will be against King Kong in next year's Godzilla Vs. Kong--but beyond that? Maybe we'll get to see some of these other amazing kaiju in future movies in the so-called "monster-verse." With that possibility in mind, here's our list of the most awesome kaiju ever.
11. Anguirus
First appeared: Godzilla Raids Again (1955)
Anguirus has the honor of being the second kaiju ever to appear in the Godzilla series. He originally fought the Big G in 1955's Godzilla Raids Again, but has subsequently worked as a faithful assistant to Godzilla and helped him take on a variety of other monsters throughout the '70s. He's a short, stocky, heavily armored kaiju who can take a serious amount of punishment.
10. Hedorah
First appeared: Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971)
Just as Godzilla was born from anxieties about nuclear war, Hedorah was created as a warning against the dangers of environmental disaster. Also known as the Smog Monster, Hedorah's name comes from the Japanese word "hedoro," meaning slime, sludge, or chemical ooze. And that's basically what this kaiju looks like--a big gooey lump of sludge. But Hedorah's devastating powers are not to be underestimated--in Godzilla vs. Hedorah, he rampages through Japan, killing thousands via toxic emissions.
9. Mothra
First appeared: Mothra (1961)
Unlike many of the kaiju on this list, Mothra stands out as one of the few who regularly plays the role of protector of its island, Japan, and the world. In Mothra's first appearance in 1961, it was established that she had two tiny female human-like fairies who interacts with humans for her as an interpreter. While Mothra's abilities were initially limited, she gained more over the course of various movies--including antenna beams and reflective scales that can send an opponent's attack right back at them--and is able to drag Godzilla by his tail.
8. Gigan
First appeared: Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972)
If we were ranking kaiju on how simply amazing they look, Gigan would be right at the top of the list. He's a cyborg alien monster whose main weapon is an incredible spinning buzzsaw that protrudes from his belly, alongside giant scythes for hands. Unfortunately, for these weapons to be truly effective, his enemies needs to be up close, which is probably why he only made three movie appearances--two '70s movies and 2004's Godzilla: Final Wars--in all of which he is defeated. But man, does he look awesome.
7. Megaguirus
First appeared: Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000)
While Rodan will always be the most famous flying kaiju, Megaguirus is perhaps the scariest. She didn't appear until 2000 but her origins date back to 1950s; she is a mutated version of the Meganulon in the first Rodan movie. She's basically a giant, evil-looking dragonfly with incredible speed, wings that create devastating sonic waves, and a stinger that absorbs energy from her enemies.
6. Orga
First appeared: Godzilla 2000 (1999)
One recurring theme of the Godzilla monster gallery is the creation of kaiju via Godzilla's DNA. When filmmakers need an easy origin, they bring out scientists doing ill-advised genetic experiments that inevitably result in the birth of some new terrifying creature. Orga is one of the coolest examples of this--he's a massive, mutated alien with giant clawed hands that he uses to plod around like a gorilla. He's got incredible strength and leaping ability, but even better, is able to detach his jaw to eat his enemies whole.
5. Destoroyah
First appeared: Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995)
Destoroyah might have first appeared long after the classic era of kaiju, but he knew how to make an impact. In Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, this huge, winged, horned, demonic-looking creature was created by mutating crustaceans with the Oxygen Destroyer, the device that killed Godzilla in the original 1954 movie. Destoroyah is used by mankind to kill Godzilla, who is close to a radiation meltdown that could destroy the world. And Destoroyah nearly succeeds, killing Godzilla Junior along the way, before being finally stopped. Godzilla does ultimately die in this movie too, causing fan protests and forcing Toho, the studio behind the monster, to assure audiences that Godzilla would be back.
4. Rodan
First appeared: Rodan (1956)
Rodan's 1956 debut was produced in the wake of Godzilla's huge success, and saw Rodan emerge from an underground cavern and rain mayhem down upon the people of Japan. While she never had another starring role after that first movie, with her incredible speed and devastating sonic roar, she's one of the best and baddest kaiju around. In Japan, Rodan's name is in fact Radon, the letters taken from the name of the dinosaur that he was based on, the Pteranodon. However, in the U.S. it was changed to avoid confusion with Radon, the name of a chemical element.
3. Biollante
First appeared: Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)
This incredible kaiju was the result of a genetic splicing of a human, flower, and Godzilla DNA--and certainly looks like it. Biollante is a massive, amazing-looking, planet-like creature with lethal attack vines, dozens of teeth, and the ability to regenerate. It might have taken Godzilla over thirty years to face this monstrosity, but the wait was worth it.
2. Mechagodzilla
First appeared: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
First introduced as an adversary to Godzilla, Mechagodzilla quickly became as popular as the original. Inspired by the success of a robot Kong in Toho's King Kong Escapes, as well as the rise of mecha anime, Mechagodzilla has it all--strength, a wide variety of weaponry, and a cool look that's very different to the rubber suits of most other kaiju. Most recently, Mechagodzilla was given a much-deserved tribute when he appeared in Spielberg's pop-culture homaging sci-fi blockbuster Ready Player One.
1. King Ghidorah
First appeared: Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964)
The terrifying three-headed King Ghidorah has been Godzilla's greatest foe since his movie debut in 1964. This three-headed, two-tailed, winged dragon was first introduced as a destructive creature from space who had caused chaos on Venus before heading to Earth. He's had a variety of origin stories over the years--from alien invader and ancient Earth-bound creature to beast of pure energy and part-robotic mecha. But he's always an incredible foe and the biggest, baddest kaiju of the lot.