Last year, I wrote an article for new fans of Godzilla who had just seen Godzilla Minus One and loved it.  

When I wrote that article, I was careful in curating just what Godzilla films people should watch, since I was well aware that not all of the catalog was for everyone. In fact, having seen every period of Godzilla (from Showa to Reiwa era), I knew that some movies were only for the most diehard of Godzilla fans.

Enter the Godzilla animated movies, Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters, Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle, and Godzilla: The Planet Eater. Now, I think ALL of these animated movies are worthy of your time if you’re a dedicated Godzilla fan, but I wouldn’t recommend them for everyone. Here’s why.   

The Three Movies Often Move At A Glacial Pace, And You May Not Like Any Of The Human Characters

One reason why Godzilla Minus One is the greatest Godzilla movie I’ve ever seen, (and I’m not alone, as it almost topped our best movies of 2023 list) is because all of the human characters are likable. Honestly, it's the first Godzilla movie I’ve ever watched where I genuinely cared about the well-being of the human characters.    

Not only that, but the movie moved at a brisk pace. So much so, that even my six-year-old son was engaged when he watched the movie. (Yes, I took my six-year-old son to see a Godzilla flick. What of it?) Anyway, throw all of that out the window when it comes to the three Godzilla anime movies, as they are soooo sloooow, and the characters are as bland as vanilla ice cream.    

Now, that’s not to say that vanilla ice cream is bad. I love vanilla ice cream. But, I also like it with sprinkles, and the characters in these three movies are vanilla ice cream without the sprinkles. In other words, they serve their purpose, but they could be so much better.  

The one good thing I will say about them, though, is that the three movies are sequential, so we follow the lead character, Captain Haruo Sakaki all the way to the end, and get to see his character growth. 

But, remember how I said that the movies crawl? Well, that character growth drags for all three movies, and by the final film, Godzilla: The Planet Eater, I pretty much stopped caring altogether for his story. That said… 

Godzilla In These Three Movies Is Badass An Unlike Any Other Godzilla In The Series 

I honestly think Godzilla Minus One should be nominated for Best Picture, and that again is all due to the human characters. But, come on now. Prior to that movie, I didn’t care one whit about any of the human characters in any Godzilla movie. I came to see Godzilla, dammit! And the Big G does not disappoint when he eventually shows up in these three films.   

This Godzilla is massive, and pretty much devoid of all emotion. We’ve seen a lot of different Godzillas over the years, like ones who have shaken hands with robots, ones who were much more serious, like in the Hensei and Millennium era, and even America’s take. Twice! Once with the 1998 Godzilla movie, which I actually like, and again with the current MonsterVerse.   

But, I honestly think the Godzilla in these three animated movies is one of my favorites to date. This Godzilla is just a lumbering force of nature who almost seems like he’s sleepwalking through his path of destruction, and doesn’t even realize what he’s doing.    

Now, this somnambulist take on Godzilla might not be for EVERYONE. But, as somebody who has viewed every iteration of the character (even in animated forms, no less, those being the ‘78 cartoon, the Animated Series, and the most recent one, Godzilla: Singular Point), this is one of my favorite versions of the character by far, and he’s worth (for me, anyway) sitting through all of the tedium that these films sometimes have to offer.       

King Ghidorah Is Unlike Anything Else You’ve Ever Seen   

Another thing that I really love about these movies is just how different King Ghidorah is. We’ve seen many versions of the character over the years (even as a “good guy” in Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack), but none has ever been like the one featured in Godzilla: The Planet Eater, where he makes his appearance. 

Everybody is familiar with the three-headed dragon, but this version is more of an aura than anything else. Its snake-like form is more pronounced than ever here, and its purpose, as the title implies, is to eat the planet that it's inhabiting.

In this way, Godzilla has an even more difficult time fighting King Ghidorah since he isn’t even corporeal for some of the battle, and is more of a form of energy. For somebody who loves Godzilla’s enemies almost as much as Godzilla himself, it was really cool seeing King Ghidorah in this new form. 

Trust me, if you’re a Godzilla fan and you’ve never seen The Planet Eater, then you’re going to be in for quite a surprise when you see what they did with the character here.  

However, Just Because Godzilla And King Ghidorah Are Different, That Doesn’t Mean You’ll Like Them 

And now, this is where I hesitate again to recommend these movies, because just because Godzilla and King Ghidorah are different in these films, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll like them. 

For example, I’ve warmed up to the MonsterVerse, but for a time, I really didn’t like it since I was not a fan of their interpretation of Godzilla. It wasn’t until Godzilla vs. Kong where I really felt like the filmmakers finally got the character to an acceptable place, and now I have a newfound appreciation for the movies that came before it. 

So, I’m perfectly aware of how a different take on Godzilla could spoil the films for you. That isn’t just when it comes to Godzilla, either, as I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that there is another famous enemy that appears in the second film, and his interpretation may be just too much for some purists to stomach.

And then, you have King Ghidorah. Now, I’m the kind of person who welcomes change. I’ve seen him enough that I’m cool with seeing a very different interpretation of the character. But, some fans may be sickened by just how weird this version of the character is. 

Different doesn’t always mean better for everyone, which is why…

Even Though Diehard Godzilla Fans Might Be Down, Don’t Turn Here If You Loved Godzilla Minus One 

I just cannot, in good faith, steer you toward these three anime movies if you loved Godzilla Minus One, or even some of the more inviting Godzilla movies, like the ones from the MonsterVerse. That’s because these three animated movies are for TRUE FANS ONLY. 

Now, I’m not trying to be a gatekeeper here or anything. If you liked Godzilla Minus One and want to give them a try, by all means: give them a try. They’re on Netflix. But, take it from me, a lifelong Godzilla fan, if you liked Minus One, then you probably aren’t going to like this trilogy. 

These films truly are for people who LOVE (not like, but love) Godzilla, and are so in love with the character, that they’re willing to sit through glacial pacing, boring humans, massively different interpretations of Godzilla and his enemies, and a subpar, teasy ending. 

But, if all of that sounds tolerable to you, then give these movies a watch. I personally enjoyed them. Godzilla is my heart! 

So, have YOU seen these movies yet? For more news on all things Godzilla (both hardcore, and casual), be sure to swing around here often! 

The time has finally come and two of cinema’s most notorious monsters are squaring off in the latest film in Legendary's MonsterVerse. But after (or perhaps before if you have a lot of time on your hands) you watch Godzilla vs. Kong streaming, it wouldn’t be the worst of ideas to go back and watch all of the available Godzilla movies streaming. Going back to the original 1954 Godzilla, dozens of fearsome monster’s greatest moments and battles can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home without the fear of your city getting caught up in the destruction.

Below is a list of all available Godzilla movies, split up into the different eras as well as all of the American releases that started with Roland Emmerich’s divisive 1998 summer blockbuster. There’s a lot to get through, so let’s start wrecking some cities…

Showa Era (1954-1975)

The first set of Godzilla movies, released between 1954 and 1975, is considered the Showa Era because each of the 15 films hit theaters during the reign of Japanese Emperor Showa, who ruled from 1926 to 1989. Each of the films in this era (as well as those to follow except for the American releases (though they do have rules in place) were produced by Toho. It should be noted that every title except for King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) are available on various streaming services.

Godzilla (1954)

The terrifying and iconic spectacle that is Godzilla follows the titular kaiju (monster) as he is awoken by an atomic bomb, interrupting a centuries-long sleep beneath the waters outside of Tokyo. The Japanese megalopolis doesn’t stand a chance in this black-and-white monster movie classic.

Stream Godzilla on HBO Max.

Rent Godzilla on Amazon.

Godzilla Raids Again (1955)

Just when the Japanese government and population thought they were safe from Godzilla, the giant monster returns in Godzilla Raids Again. To make matters worse, his longtime foe Anguirus isn’t far behind, setting up a massive fight with Osaka as their personal battleground.

Stream Godzilla Raids Again on HBO Max.

Mothra Vs. Godzilla (1964)

Mothra, the insect-god first introduced several years earlier, returns for battle in 1964’s Mothra vs. Godzilla, which follows the Japanese government as they attempt to side up with the flying kaigu to prevent Godzilla from destroying yet another major metropolitan area.

Stream Mothra vs. Godzilla on HBO Max.

Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster (1964)

The release of Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster sees the first time Godzilla has a more heroic role when he and a few of his former enemies (Mothra included) must team up to protect the planet from the incoming beast, King Ghidorah.

Stream Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster on HBO Max.

Rent Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster on Amazon.

Invasion Of Astro-Monster (1965)

Invasion of Astro-Monster sees the arrival of a race of extraterrestrials called Xiliens, who trick Earth into letting them borrow Godzilla and several other monsters to fight off a mysterious alien threat. With an arsenal of kaiju and evil intent, the Xiliens set out to destroy the planet.

Stream Invasion of Astro-Monster on HBO Max.

Ebirah, Horror Of The Deep (1966)

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (also released as Godzilla versus the Sea Monster) sees the giant beast team up Mothra once again to take on a massive crustacean that has the ability to regenerate broken limbs.

Stream Ebirah, Horror of the Deep on HBO Max.

Son Of Godzilla (1967)

As the title suggests, Son of Godzilla follows the ancient monster as he raises his offspring and teaches him how to use his powers. After a quick lesson in the ways of the kaiju, the father-son duo team up to take on a swarm of giant insects hellbent on destruction.

Stream Son of Godzilla on HBO Max.

Destroy All Monsters (1969)

Destroy All Monsters takes place in the final days of the 20th Century, a time in which world peace has been achieved and all of the world’s monsters have been confined to “Monster Island.” The peace is short-lived, however, when a race of aliens take control of all the kaiju and release them on major cities around the world.

Stream Destroy All Monsters on HBO Max.

All Monsters Attack (1969)

All Monsters Attack follows a bullied schoolboy who visits “Monster Island” in his dreams as a way to escape his miserable and lonely life. During his nightly journeys to the magical dreamworld, he witnesses kaiju, including Godzilla, battling it out. But then the boy has to take what he learns in his dreams to stand up to his bullies and a pair of bank robbers.

Stream All Monsters Attack on The Criterion Channel.

Godzilla Vs. Hedorah (1971)

When an alien life-form lands on earth, begins feeding off the planet’s pollution, and transforms into a giant sea monster, it’s up to Godzilla to save the day in Godzilla vs. Hedorah.

Stream Godzilla vs. Hedorah on HBO Max.

Godzilla Vs. Gigan (1972)

Everyone’s favorite three-headed monster, Ghidrah is back and he’s bringing company with him in Godzilla vs. Gigan. Set at a theme park, Godzilla and friends must take on the returning foe and the massive bird known as Gigan.

Stream Godzilla vs. Gigan on HBO Max.

Godzilla Vs. Megalon (1973)

Did you think the Godzilla franchise couldn’t get any crazier? Well, check out Godzilla vs. Megalon which sees the iconic monster team up with a cyborg to take on a giant cockroach and black chicken sent to destroy the planet.

Stream Godzilla vs. Megalon on HBO Max.

Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)

After seeing Godzilla take on monsters from sea, land, and above, the 1974 title Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla follows the kaiju as he takes on a mechanized version of himself, resulting in a showdown of the ages.

Stream Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla on HBO Max.

Terror Of Mechagodzilla (1975)

In 1975, Terror of Mechagodzilla, which sees the foe from the previous year return, was released, but this time there’s more to the story. In addition to fighting the technologically-advanced version of himself, Godzilla must also batter another alien creature.

Stream Terror of Mechagodzilla on HBO Max.

Heisei Era (1984-1995)

Following a nearly 10-year break, Toho rebooted the Godzilla franchise in 1984 with The Return of Godzilla, which served as a direct sequel to the 1954 original, as part of the Heisei Era, even though the Japanese Emperor’s reign didn’t begin until 1989. Unlike the previous period, a large chunk of the Heisei Godzilla films aren’t currently available streaming.

Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993)

Even though Return of Godzilla acted like all the crazy 1970s movies didn’t happen, the 1993 film Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II went back to the tried and true method of having the kaiju battle his cyborg counterpart once more. But that’s not all, as the showdown also features a returning Rodan, the pterodactyl that Godzilla had crossed paths with before.

Rent Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II on Amazon.

Godzilla Vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994)

Move over Mechagodzilla because our dinosaur-like friend is dealing with the space-version of himself in 1994’s Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla. Say no more.

Stream Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla on Crackle.

Rent Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla on Amazon.

Godzilla Vs. Destoroyah (1995)

In Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, the Japanese government has two equally destructive threats on their hands: the meltdown of the nuclear reactor that is Godzilla’s heart and the arrival of a horde of alien monsters.

Rent Godzilla Vs. Destoroyah on Amazon.

Millennium Era (1999-2004)

The third phase of Godzilla movies didn’t go with the name of an emperor but instead with one that better suited the franchise moving into the 21st Century: the Millennium Era. Over the course of five years, Toho released a total of six titles, some of which are the best Godzilla movies.

Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999)

Just like with the start of the previous era, this one began with a film that meant to be a direct sequel to the 1954 original. Godzilla 2000: Millennium sees the titular monster return from the depths of the ocean to do what he does best once again: destroy! But that’s not all as Godzilla is forced to take on a freaking UFO.

Stream Godzilla 2000: Millennium on IMDbTV.

Rent Godzilla 2000: Millennium on Amazon.

Godzilla Vs. Megaguirus (2000)

Godzilla vs. Megaguirus is yet another Toho title that acts like everything after the 1954 original doesn’t exist. This time, Godzilla faces off with his longtime foe Megaguirus once again.

Stream Godzilla vs. Megaguirus on The Roku Channel.

Rent Godzilla vs. Megaguirus on Amazon.

Godzilla, Mothra And King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001)

The 2001 release Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack picks up with Godzilla after he is possessed by the souls of those who died in World War II and subsequently goes on a rampage. It’s up to three of the monster’s biggest allies and enemies to stop the possessed kaiju before he destroys the planet.

Rent Godzilla, Mothra And King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack on Amazon.

Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002)

It was only a matter of time before all of Godzilla’s enemies returned to the franchise and 2002 saw the re-introduction of one of his most formidable foes. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla picks up after scientists create the ultimate weapon to stop Godzilla from destroying Japan, but the cyborg could make things much worse.

Stream Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla on The Roku Channel.

Rent Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla on Amazon.

Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)

Everyone is back in town for one hell of a rager in Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. which sees Godzilla, Mothra, and Mechagodzilla take the streets of the Japanese city in a battle for domination.

Stream Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. on The Roku Channel.

Rent Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. on Amazon.

Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)

Released 50 years after everything got started, Godzilla: Final Wars features the iconic monster taking not only multiple kaiju, but also different versions of himself. This included the American version from 1998’s Godzilla who quickly gets taken out.

Stream Godzilla: Final Wars on Plex.

Rent Godzilla: Final Wars on Amazon.

Reiwa Era (2016-Present)

The current period of Godzilla movies, the Reiwa Era, was retroactively given its name in 2019 when the corresponding era of Japanese governance began. This section of the franchise includes the critically acclaimed yet sometimes forgotten Shin Godzilla and a trio of anime films, which happen to be some of the best movies on Netflix.

Shin Godzilla (2016)

Shin Godzilla serves as a reboot to the franchise and sees the monster that will become Godzilla arrive in Tokyo and quickly begin to evolve based on humanity’s response. That response is told in a satirical manner which at one point includes a hilarious scene in which the government holds a meeting to plan for another meeting while Godzilla kills thousands and causes billions of dollars in destruction.

Rent Shin Godzilla on Amazon.

Godzilla: Planet Of The Monsters (2017)

The anime film Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters picks up thousands of years after humanity abandoned Earth after it was taken over by the giant monster and shows their return to take back the planet and defeat the beast once and for all.

Stream Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters on Netflix.

Godzilla: City On The Edge Of Battle (2018)

Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle is a direct followup to the 2017 anime film and shows what happened to those who remained on the planet 20,000 years ago. Oh, and the movie sees the return of Mechagodzilla.

Stream Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle on Netflix.

Godzilla: The Planet Eater (2018)

The conclusion of the anime trilogy, Godzilla: The Planet Eater features the three-headed monster Ghidorah whose return threatens to destroy Earth once and for all. Godzilla, playing the hero once again, teams up with humanity to prevent the planet’s ultimate destruction.

Stream Godzilla: The Planet Eater on Netflix.

American Films (1998-Present)

Outside of the Japanese releases, there have been four American-made Godzilla movies over the years, though not all have been well-received by critics or audiences.

Godzilla (1998)

The 1998 Godzilla film had a lot going for it before its release more than 20 years ago. There was the all-star cast, director Roland Emmerich coming off the success of his biggest movie (Independence Day), a massive budget, and a stacked soundtrack. But the movie didn’t perform all too well and the New York City-based movie failed to live up to the hype.

Stream Godzilla on Starz.

Rent Godzilla on Amazon.

Godzilla (2014)

The 2014 Godzilla reboot, while not as groundbreaking as some of the titles that came before, was actually pretty good and helped kick off Legendary’s MonsterVerse. It had a lot of great action, was lauded by critics, and got a ton of people to come out to the theater to see it ahead of that year’s summer blockbuster season.

Stream Godzilla on HBO Max.

Buy Godzilla on Amazon.

Godzilla: King Of The Monsters (2019)

There is a lot that doesn’t work with Godzilla: King of the Monsters, but the 2019 sequel does feature some of the most eye-catching kaiju battles ever captured on film. And sure, the human elements bog down the story, but at least we get to see Godzilla wreck shop like the old days.

Stream Godzilla: King of the Monsters on HBO Max.

Rent Godzilla: King of the Monsters on Amazon.

Godzilla Vs. Kong (2021)

Godzilla vs. Kong, the most recent title in the Legendary MonsterVerse, rewards fans for sticking with the franchise with the showdown between two of the most fearsome monsters in the history of movies. This one doesn’t hold anything back.

Stream Godzilla vs. Kong on HBO Max.

That is just about every Godzilla movie that is available to stream right now. But if you want even more monster and horror movies, there are quite a few that included in the best movies on Amazon Prime right now.

I’m going to cause some controversy here, but what is anime anyway? Is Avatar: The Last Airbender anime? Is the recent Castlevania on Netflix anime? I’m sorry, but no, and no. Yes, they are both inspired by anime, and you can definitely call them American anime if you want to. But anime is, at its heart, Japanese animation that literally comes from Japan. So even though there are movies and TV shows from different countries that like to replicate anime’s style, they are not truly anime if the animation didn’t originate from the land of the rising sun. I hope I’ve cleared that up for you.

But seriously (honestly, if you want to call ATLA anime, then go ahead. I don’t care), anime is so popular that pretty much everybody has watched it in some form or another. Whether it was Pokemon when you were growing up, or Attack on Titan as an adult, anime is probably bigger now in this country than it has ever been before. This is kind of crazy, since I didn’t think it could get any bigger than it was back when I was in high school. But it is, and I have a list of 8 great anime movies that you can watch streaming right now if you have a few good hours to spare. Balse!

Spirited Away (HBO Max)

Arguably Hayao Miyazaki’s best film, 2001’a Spirited Away is essentially a story about growing up. It's all set to some bizarre, Miyazaki-esque imagery that features an old woman with a massive head, a floating spirit with a mask, and little toad people.

But the abstract imagery adds to this beautifully told story about a girl who moves to a new town only to find her parents transformed into pigs. The film won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and was, for a time, the highest grossing Japanese movie ever. You really can’t go wrong with Spirited Away. It’s a masterpiece.

Stream it on HBO Max.

Akira (Hulu)

1988’s Akira is probably the most well-known anime movie ever made. It’s a post-Apocalyptic film (set in the year 2019!) about a teenager named Kaneda and his friend, Tetsua (or should I say, Tetsuaaaaaa!). Tetsua, you see, develops telekinetic powers and goes kind of crazy. There’s more to it, of course, but that’s the main thrust of it all.

So why is it so popular? Well, mostly because of some of its adult themes, its violence, and its crazy (and disgusting) animation. It’s not the boldest animated film you’ll ever see, but its legacy persists, and you should definitely check it out if you haven’t seen it already.

Stream it on Hulu.

My Neighbors the Yamadas (HBO Max)

1999’s My Neighbors the Yamadas is a visually interesting film. It’s a Studio Ghibli picture, but it looks like no other movie in their catalogue. That’s because it has a sort of comic strip look to it, which is why I think the word “anime” should be reserved only for Japanese Animation, since one look at this film and you’d likely not even call it anime since it doesn’t have that “anime-look” to it.

But My Neighbors the Yamadas is cute. It’s a series of vignettes about a variety of topics like losing a kid in the store, going out with a girl for the first time, etc. HBO Max has the dubbed version, so you’ll hear the likes of James Belushi, Tress MacNeille, and others when you watch it. It’s fun, so give it a go.

Stream it on HBO Max.

Mirai (Netflix)

In this enchanting story from 2018, a four-year-old boy named Kun travels to a magical garden where he meets different ancestors, one of which being his baby sister, Mirai… but as an older woman. (Mirai actually means “future” in Japanese). It’s actually a really sweet story that's kind of like Spirited Away, but with time elements for good measure.

Mirai is a quaint little film and one that got me a little teary-eyed by the end. It has a trippy plot, but the story and heart to back it up.

Stream it on Netflix.

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (HBO Max)

Probably the most distinctly beautiful movie on this list, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, which came out in 2013, is about a girl who came out of bamboo (but was she born there?) and grows up fast. She becomes a princess, but her past haunts her, and she has to deal with the consequences.

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya is another film that doesn’t really look like “anime” per se, but it is gorgeous, with art that even looks like brush strokes at times. The music is also lush and beautiful. It’s probably the artsiest film on this list, so watch it if you are into that sort of thing.

Stream it on HBO Max.

Grave of the Fireflies (Hulu)

And now for something really depressing. In this 1988 classic, we see a brother and his younger sister just trying to survive through the tail end of World War II. But remember, they’re on the losing side. So I’ll just tell you now: You’re not going to be happy by the time the end credits role.

Like Akira, Grave of the Fireflies is vintage anime that elevated the genre to new levels with its masterful storytelling and its chilling visuals. Astro Boy it's not.

Stream it on Hulu.

Ninja Scroll (Hulu)

Like most boys of a certain age, if you asked me what show was my gateway drug into anime TV, I’d tell you it was Dragon Ball Z (or Sailor Moon, depending on what day you ask me). But if you asked me what movie got me into anime, I would tell you it was Ninja Scroll, which is about a wandering warrior who has to take on a clan of killers (Niinjjjaaaaaa).

Ninja Scroll, which came out in 1993, is the quintessential anime movie, and it’s right up there with Ghost in the Shell and Vampire Hunter D. The action is still sick, even today, and the visuals are violent as hell. Out of all the movies on this list, this is probably what most people think of when they hear the word anime.

Stream it on Hulu.

Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (Netflix)

Lastly, I want to talk about a Japanese animated movie that every Godzilla completionist needs to see, since it is in fact canon and part of the Reiwa era. Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters is actually part 1 of a trilogy, so if you like this movie, then you should definitely check out the sequels, Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle and Godzilla: The Planet Eater.

That said, the first one, which came out in 2017, is the best one. It’s about some ancestors of Earth who are returning to the planet, only to be met by Godzilla, who had been the cause of fleeing the planet in the first place. It takes a very long time to get started, but Godzilla is freaking scary at the end, which is not something that all Godzilla movies can say.

Stream it on Netflix.

There are plenty of other great anime movies out there (like Dragon Quest: Your Story on Netflix), but I think this is a nice little assortment of films to check out if you’re just getting into the medium. But I’m always interested in learning about new anime flicks, so let me know of any that you might currently be watching that’s not on this list. I’d love to find new films.

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Monster movies. Next to horror and Marvel flicks, monster movies are probably my favorite genre of film. And with these trying times with the Coronavirus, there’s no better time to stream or rent the best monster movies available since you're probably stuck at home. But I’ll do you a favor. Sure, there are plenty of monster movies to rent online at Amazon, and I’ll leave links below of some of my favorites. But just like how Disney released Frozen 2 early as a little gift for all you people who can't leave your house, this list is going to be movies you can stream right now if you have a subscription to any of these services. You’re welcome!

Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017)

While yes, you could always just buy Godzilla: King of the Monsters on Amazon, I don’t really recommend it. As a huge Godzilla fan who’s seen every Godzilla movie from Toho and all three American releases, I can honestly say that America still hasn’t gotten Godzilla right yet. But that’s okay, since you can always watch this awesome anime on Netflix, in which Godzilla is actually scary again.

Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters is actually the first part of a trilogy that also includes Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle, which features Mechagodzilla, and Godzilla: The Planet Eater, which features a weird version of King Ghidorah. My favorite is the first one though because of the awesome Godzilla battle at the end where he looks bigger and deadlier than ever before. These movies can be a little slow, but the pay-off at the end is always worth it.

Where to stream: Netflix

Where to rent online: N/A

Cloverfield (2008)

I mentioned in the last entry that I don’t think America has gotten Godzilla right yet in its three attempts, and I stand by that statement. Either Godzilla is not like Godzilla at all (the abysmal 1998 movie with Matthew Broderick), or they make Godzilla sappy (the 2012 version) or it’s just plain boring (King of the Monsters). But Cloverfield, which is probably the best, most ambitious found footage movie of all time, is everything that an American Godzilla movie should have been--Raw, terrifying, and ground-level.

What makes Cloverfield work is that the monster is always a constant threat to the protagonists. Being that the film is presented from a handheld camera (which may actually make you sick since it's constantly shaking), you really get a sense that the city is being attacked by a giant freaking monster. Shin Godzilla handled this really well, and I get a sense that Cloverfield may have inspired that movie. Maybe, maybe not, but Cloverfield is amazing either way.

Where To Stream: Netflix

Where To Rent Online: Amazon

Okja (2017)

Okja may be a weird choice since it’s not really “terrifying”. But when it comes to the quality of films on this list, Okja is probably the best and most compelling. The story concerns a girl and her “super pig”. It’s mostly a film about animal cruelty. But it’s a funny film, too, which makes sense since it’s the movie that director, Bong-Joon ho, made before he went on to direct the Best picture winning, Parasite, which is also pretty funny when it's not being scary.

Okja as a creature is actually kind of cute, and the scenes where it’s in actual peril are distressing because of this fact. This is the kind of movie where the people are the monsters, and the animals are the ones you care about. Again, it may not be terrifying, but if you like “monster” movies, then you might enjoy Okja.

Where To Stream: Netflix

Where To Rent Online: N/A

Tremors (1990)

All of the Tremors movies are on Netflix, but I really only recommend the first one. The story is about a town in Nevada called Perfection that is attacked by sandworm-like creatures called Graboids. More a comedy than a straight-up horror movie, the Graboids are pretty scary once they start shooting out the ground and attacking.

Kevin Bacon is in the first one, and he’s the best part about the movie, which clocks in at a brisk 96 minutes. “Can you fly, you sucker? Can you fly?”

Where To Stream: Netflix

Where To Rent Online: Amazon

The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot (2018)

The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot is one of those titles that reveals the entire plot like Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. All the same, while the real monsters are human again like in Okja (this time, there are Nazis early on in the film), the Bigfoot is actually in the movie, and (spoiler alert) Sam Elliot kills it.

There’s a story about a terrible virus (not Corona) that originates with Bigfoot, but you’d be surprised that the movie isn't nearly as silly as the title makes it sound. It’s actually pretty character-heavy, and Sam Elliot carries the whole thing through like a boss. I have a feeling that you’ll either love the movie like I did, or you’ll hate it. Either way, I think that it’s still worth a watch.

Where To Stream: Hulu

Where To Rent Online: Amazon

Colossal (2016)

Colossal is the kind of film that was destined to become a cult classic as soon as it hit the theaters. Somehow --I won't tell you how-- Anne Hathaway’s character turns into a giant monster in Seoul, South Korea when she walks around in a playground at a certain hour of the day. Seriously.

But the film is a lot more meditative than it seems, and there’s even a story tucked away in here about female empowerment. Jason Sudeikis is also in the film as an important character who I won’t spoil, but if you love giant monster movies, then you’re bound to fall in love with this movie as well.

Where To Stream: Hulu

Where To Rent Online: Amazon

I Kill Giants (2017)

Based on an Image comic book series, I Kill Giants is not for everybody. You kind of have to be in the right headspace for all the high school drama, and a lot of it feels decidedly young adult. But if you can get past all that, there’s an emotional story in here that is both interesting and thought-provoking. It also features some giant monsters that kind of remind me of the video game, Shadow of the Colossus, which is always a plus.

Zoe Saldana makes an appearance as a school psychologist, and Madison Wolfe is convincing as a teenager who believes (and sees) giants. Give this one a look if you’re interested in something different.

Where To Stream: Hulu

Where To Rent Online: Amazon

Gammera The Invincible (1965)

I know. You love Godzilla. But have you given Gamera a try yet? Known as Gammera The Invincible in America, and Gamera, the Giant Monster in Japan, the first movie is decidedly less silly than some of the subsequent color releases. But it’s still a pretty good film all the same for an origin story.

Gamera is different from Godzilla since he’s much scrappier. He can also fly by tucking into his shell and shooting out fire, which surprises some scientists who knock him on his back and think they've won since they believe a turtle can't get back on its feet once it's on its shell. Gamera may not be the king of all monsters, but he doesn’t have to be. He’s still strong. Plus, he’s for the children. “You are strong, Gamera. You are strong, Gamera. You are strong, Gam-er-a!”

Where To Stream: Amazon

Where To Rent Online: N/A

47 Meters Down (2017)

You want Jaws but you don’t want to have to pay to rent it? Might I suggest 47 Meters Down? I mean, it’s not as good as Jaws (but really, what is?), but it’s still pretty good. The story concerns two sisters (one of them is played by Mandy Moore) who are going in a cage dive. But uh oh, something goes wrong and they’re trapped inside the cage while great white sharks are circling them. They’re sitting ducks out there!

Silly plot aside, there’s a lot of tension in the movie since oxygen is running out for the sisters, and there are even a few scares.

Where To Stream: Netflix

Where To Rent Online: Amazon

The Monster (2016)

And finally, I thought I would end on a film that is literally called The Monster. This film is impressive in what it has to work with. The story is simple. An alcoholic mother is driving her daughter to her father’s house, but then they hit a wolf. But the wolf looks a lot more messed up than if it was just hit by a car. And that’s when the hunt begins as the real monster stalks the mother and daughter throughout the rest of the movie.

The pacing is effective, and the monster is distinct and scary. The movie especially creeps me out since it reminds me of all the stories I used to read growing up about the Jersey Devil. The movie certainly has that urban legend vibe to it.

Where To Stream: Netflix

Where To Rent Online: Amazon

And that’s the list. Sure, I could have gone with all kaiju films or slasher movies with your Jason Voorhees and your Freddy Kruegers, but I figured you’ve probably seen most of those already so I went with some stuff that's a little bit more obscure. But what are some of your favorite monster movies? Sound off in the comments section below.

And if that's not enough, and you're looking for more monster movies you can rent on Amazon Prime right now, I recommend Kong: Skull Island, Mothra, Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla (unbelievably, you can't rent most of the other Godzilla movies on Amazon, including the 1954 original), Jaws, Frankenstein, The Babadook, and The Grudge.