Mothra vs. Godzilla
Seen it?1964 | 89 min | Drama, Action, Science Fiction
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for sci-fi fans and action fans. If you loved Terminator 2: Judgment Day or Spider-Man 2, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Exciting.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 29 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1964: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Journalists Ichiro Sakai and Junko cover the wreckage of a typhoon when an enormous egg is found and claimed by greedy entrepreneurs. Mothra's fairies arrive and are aided by the journalists in a plea for its return. As their requests are denied, Godzilla arises near Nagoya and the people of Infant Island must decide if they are willing to answer Japan's own pleas for help.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
92% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$10 million worldwide
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
Not enough engagement data yet
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Ishirō Honda
- Akira TakaradaIchiro "Ichi" Sakai
- Yuriko HoshiJunko Nakanishi
- Hiroshi KoizumiProfessor Shunsuke Miura
- Yū FujikiJiro Nakamura
- Kenji SaharaJiro Torahata
- Emi ItoShobijin (Twin Fairy)
- Yumi ItoShobijin (Twin Fairy)
- Jun TazakiEditor Maruta
- Yoshibumi TajimaKumayama
- Kenzō TabuPrefectural Assembly Member