
Godzilla
Seen it?1954 | 96 min | Thriller, Horror, Science Fiction
Why it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences rate it highly (7.6 out of 10) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing, horror fans and sci-fi fans. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Scary.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 36 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1954: an older pace and style.
Japan is thrown into a panic after several ships are sunk near Odo Island. An expedition to the island led by Dr. Kyohei Yamane soon discover something far more devastating than imagined in the form of a 50 meter tall monster whom the natives call Gojira. Now the monster begins a rampage that threatens to destroy not only Japan, but the rest of the world as well.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 79 on Metacritic
- AudiencesStrong
7.6 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
2 wins and 2 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide on a $60K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 312K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Godzilla, King of the Monsters!Sunday Safe BetAlso from director Ishirō Honda, though it's a different kind of film: a sci-fi film, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Things to ComeSunday Safe BetAnother sci-fi film, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
I Still Know What You Did Last SummerMonday Morning MaybeAnother horror thriller. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
Black SheepWeeknight WatchAnother horror film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
SpellboundSaturday SpecialAnother film, and a Saturday Special.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Ishirō Honda
- Akira TakaradaHideto Ogata
- Momoko KôchiEmiko Yamane
- Akihiko HirataDaisuke Serizawa
- Takashi ShimuraKyohei Yamane
- Fuyuki MurakamiProfessor Tanabe
- Sachio SakaiHagiwara
- Toranosuke OgawaPresident of Southern Seas Salvage
- Ren YamamotoMasaji Yamada
- Hiroshi HayashiChairman of Diet Committee
- Seijirô OndaParliamentarian Oyama