This is an alphabetical list of films featuring giant monsters, known in Japan as kaiju.
One of the first films involving giant monsters was the 1933 classic King Kong, as developments in cinema and animation enabled the creation of realistic giant creatures. The film influenced many giant-monster films in its wake, including many produced in Japan. Two of the earliest of these were The Great Buddha Arrival from 1934 and 1938's The King Kong That Appeared in Edo, both of which are now presumed to be lost films.[1] The visual effects in King Kong, created by Willis O'Brien, inspired future monster film effects artists such as Ray Harryhausen and Dennis Muren.[2] Early giant-monster films often had themes of adventure and exploration of unknown regions, and incorporated fights with giant monsters as a climactic element.
The development of atomic weaponry in the 1940s gave rise to its involvement in popular themes. The 1953 American film The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms featured a giant dinosaur that awakens due to nuclear tests in the Arctic.[3]: 42 The 1954 film Them! involved giant irradiated ants. Later in 1954, the Japanese film Godzilla was released, followed by Rodan in 1956. This was at a time when giant creatures created by nuclear radiation became popular. Japan continued with a giant moth in Mothra, a turtle in Gamera, and many more that followed. Other countries have their own giant monster movies such as the United Kingdom and Denmark with Gorgo and Reptilicus, both released in 1961.
Films featuring Godzilla and Gamera were made into the 1970s, and a King Kong remake was released in 1976. Awareness of toxic waste and the growth of the environmental movement in the 1970s inspired the release of various horror films, and the giant monster subgenre saw the release of 1971's Godzilla vs. Hedorah, in which the themes of pollution and environmentalism were incorporated into the series.[4] Following a second series of films in the 1980s and 1990s, Godzilla received a 1998 remake by TriStar Pictures, while King Kong received a 2005 remake by Universal Pictures. 2008 saw the release of the successful Cloverfield, which some critics have claimed took inspiration from the September 11 attacks.[5][6][7] Pacific Rim, a film featuring giant mecha battling with kaiju, was released in 2013, and the following year Legendary reinterpreted Godzilla for a new generation of audiences in the series' 30th film. The latest entry in the Godzilla series, Shin Godzilla, premiered in Japan in July 2016.[8][9] A reboot of King Kong known as Kong: Skull Island was released in March 2017.[10]
This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources. |
Name | Year | Country | Description | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad | 1958 | United States | Cyclops, dragon, roc | [11] |
20 Million Miles to Earth | 1957 | United States | extraterrestrial from Venus | [12] |
The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock | 1959 | United States | Giantess | [13] |
All Monsters Attack | 1969 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8] |
Alligator | 1980 | United States | Giant alligator | [14] |
Always: Sunset on Third Street 2 | 2007 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8] |
Anaconda | 1997 | United States | Giant anaconda | [15] |
Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid | 2004 | United States | giant anacondas | [16][17] |
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters | 2007 | United States | Insanoflex / robot | [18] |
Aquaman | 2018 | United States | Karathen (giant sea creature) | [19][20][21][22] |
The Arctic Giant | 1942 | United States | Dinosaur-esque monster | [23][24][25] |
Atragon | 1963 | Japan | Manda / daikaiju | [26] |
Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader | 2012 | United States | Giantess | [27] |
Attack of the 50 Foot Woman | 1958 | United States | Giantess | [28]: 18 [29] |
Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman | 1993 | United States | Giantess | [30] |
Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold | 1995 | United States | Giantess | [31] |
Attack of the Crab Monsters | 1958 | United States | giant crabs | [32] |
Attack of the Giant Leeches | 1959 | United States | Giant leech | [33] |
Attack on Titan | 2015 | Japan | giants / Titans | [34] |
The Avengers | 2012 | United States | Chitauri Leviathans | [35] |
Avengers: Endgame | 2019 | United States | Chitauri Leviathans | [35] |
Avengers: Infinity War | 2018 | United States | Chitauri Leviathans | [36] |
The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms | 1953 | United States | Rhedosaurus | [37]: 28–37 [29] |
The Beast of Hollow Mountain | 1956 | United States | Allosaurus | [37]: 37–42 |
Beginning of the End | 1957 | United States | radioactive grasshoppers | [38][29] |
The BFG | 2016 | United States | Giants | [39] |
Big Ass Spider! | 2013 | United States | giant spider | [40] |
Big Man Japan | 2008 | Japan | daikaiju | [41] |
The Black Scorpion | 1957 | United States | giant scorpion | [42] |
The Blob | 1958 | United States | Blob | [43] |
The Blob | 1988 | United States | Blob | [44] |
Bulgasari | 1962 | South Korea | Bulgasari / daikaiju | [45] |
Clash of the Titans | 1981 | United States | Kraken | [46] |
Clash of the Titans | 2010 | United States, United Kingdom | monsters from Greek mythology | [16][47][48] |
Cloverfield | 2008 | United States | Clover | [28] |
The Cloverfield Paradox | 2018 | United States | Clover | [28] |
Colossal | 2016 | Canada/Spain | unknown creature | [49][50][51] |
Conan the Barbarian | 1982 | United States | giant snake | [52] |
Crocodile | 2000 | United States | Giant crocodile | [53][54] |
Daimajin | 1966 | Japan | Daimajin | [55] |
Daimajin Strikes Again | 1966 | Japan | Daimajin | [56] |
The Deadly Mantis | 1957 | United States | Praying mantis | [57] |
Deep Rising | 1998 | United States | giant octopus-like creature | [58] |
DeepStar Six | 1989 | United States | Giant undersea creature | [59][60][61][62] |
Destroy All Monsters | 1968 | Japan | Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, Rodan, Anguirus, Kumonga, Minilla, Baragon, Varan, Gorosaurus, Manda | [8] |
Detective Pikachu | 2019 | United States | Giant Torterras | [63][64] |
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | 2022 | United States | Gargantos | [65][66][67] |
Dogora | 1964 | Japan | jellyfish-like amorphous alien lifeform | [68][69] |
Dune | 1984 | United States | Sandworms (giant worms) | [70][71][72][73][74] |
Dune | 2021 | United States | Sandworms (giant worms) | [75][76][77][78] |
Earth vs. the Spider | 1958 | United States | giant spider | [79] |
Ebirah: Horror of the Deep | 1966 | Japan | Godzilla, Ebirah | [8][80]: Chapter 14 |
The Empire Strikes Back | 1980 | United States | Exogorth (giant slug) | [81][82] |
Eight Legged Freaks | 2002 | United States, Germany, Australia | giant spiders | [16][83] |
Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure | 1984 | United States | Gorax | [84][85][86] |
The Flash | 2023 | United States | Thanagarian Snare Beast | [87] |
The Food of the Gods | 1976 | United States | Giant Rats | [23] |
Galaxy Quest | 1999 | United States | Gorignak (rock monster) | [88] |
Gamera | 1965 | Japan | Gamera / daikaiju | [89][90] |
Gamera 2: Attack of Legion | 1996 | Japan | Gamera / daikaiju | [12] |
Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris | 1999 | Japan | Gamera / daikaiju | [91] |
Gamera: Guardian of the Universe | 1995 | Japan | Gamera / daikaiju | [92] |
Gamera: Super Monster | 1980 | Japan | Gamera / daikaiju | [93] |
Gamera the Brave | 2006 | Japan | Gamera / daikaiju | [94] |
Gamera vs. Barugon | 1966 | Japan | Gamera / daikaiju | [90] |
Gamera vs. Guiron | 1969 | Japan | Gamera / daikaiju | [90] |
Gamera vs. Gyaos | 1967 | Japan | Gamera / daikaiju | [90] |
Gamera vs. Jiger | 1970 | Japan | Gamera / daikaiju | [90] |
Gamera vs. Viras | 1968 | Japan | Gamera / daikaiju | [90] |
Gamera vs. Zigra | 1971 | Japan | Gamera / daikaiju | [90] |
Gappa: The Triphibian Monster | 1967 | Japan | bird-lizards / daikaiju | [95] |
Gargantua | 1998 | United States | Prehistoric Creature | [96] |
Garuda | 2004 | Thailand | Garuda / giant bird creature | [97] |
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster | 1964 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8] |
Ghostbusters | 1984 | United States | Stay Puft Marshmallow Man | [98] |
The Giant Behemoth | 1959 | United Kingdom, United States | Paleosaurus | [99][100] |
The Giant Claw | 1957 | United States | extraterrestrial prehistoric bird | [101] |
The Giant Gila Monster | 1959 | United States | beaded lizard | [102] |
The Giant Spider Invasion | 1975 | United States | giant spiders | [103][104] |
Godzilla/Godzilla, King of the Monsters!/Godzilla | 1954/1956/1977 | Japan/Japan, United States/Japan, Italy | Godzilla | [8][80]: Chapter 3 [29] |
Godzilla | 1998 | United States, Japan | Zilla | [8] |
Godzilla | 2014 | United States | Godzilla, MUTOs | [8] |
Godzilla 2000: Millennium | 1999 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8] |
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla | 2002 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju / mecha | [8][80]: Chapter 32 |
Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle | 2018 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju / mecha | [105][106] |
Godzilla: Final Wars | 2004 | Japan, United States, China, Australia | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8] |
Godzilla: King of the Monsters | 2019 | United States | Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, King Ghidorah | [107] |
Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack | 2001 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8][12] |
Godzilla: The Planet Eater | 2018 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju / mecha | [108] |
Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters | 2017 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju / mecha | [109] |
Godzilla Raids Again | 1955 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8] |
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. | 2003 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju / mecha | [8] |
Godzilla vs. Biollante | 1989 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8][80]: Chapter 28 |
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah | 1995 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8][80]: Chapter 33 |
Godzilla vs. Gigan | 1972 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju / cyborg | [8][80]: Chapter 20 |
Godzilla vs. Hedorah | 1971 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8][4] |
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah | 1991 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju / mecha | [8] |
Godzilla vs. Kong | 2021 | United States | Kong / Godzilla / Mechagodzilla | [110] |
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla | 1974 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju / mecha | [8] |
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II | 1993 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju / mecha / cyborg | [8] |
Godzilla vs. Megaguirus | 2000 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8] |
Godzilla vs. Megalon | 1973 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju / mecha | [8][80]: Chapter 21 |
Godzilla vs. Mothra | 1992 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8] |
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla | 1994 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju / mecha | [8] |
Gogola | 1966 | India | sea monster | [111] |
Goosebumps | 2015 | United States | giant praying mantis | [112] |
Gorgo | 1961 | Ireland, United Kingdom, United States | sea monster | [28] |
Grabbers | 2012 | Ireland, United Kingdom | tentacled | [12] |
Graveyard Shift | 1990 | United States | Giant bat | [113] |
The Great Buddha Arrival | 1934 | Japan | Buddha statue | [114] |
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 | 2017 | United States | Abilisk | [115][116][117] |
Half Human | 1955 | Japan | Abominable Snowman | [118][119] |
He's a Dragon | 2015 | Russia | Dragon | [120] |
Helluva Good Luck | 1999 | Czech Republic | Dragon | [121] |
Helluva Good Luck 2 | 2001 | Czech Republic | Dragon | [122] |
The Host | 2006 | South Korea | amphibious | [12] |
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation | 2018 | United States | Kraken | [123] |
Ilya Muromets | 1956 | Soviet Union | Dragon | [124] |
Invasion of Astro-Monster | 1965 | Japan, United States | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8] |
It Came from Beneath the Sea | 1955 | United States | radioactive octopus | [125] |
Jack the Giant Slayer | 2013 | United States | giants | [16][126] |
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island | 2012 | United States | giant lizard | [127][128] |
Journey to the Beginning of Time | 1955 | Czechoslovakia | dinosaurs | [129] |
The Jungle Book | 2016 | United States | King Louie (gigantopithecus) | [130] |
Jurassic Park | 1993 | United States | numerous dinosaurs | [131][132][133] |
Jurassic Park III | 2001 | United States | numerous dinosaurs | [134][135] |
Jurassic World | 2015 | United States | genetically-modified dinosaurs | [16][136][137] |
Jurassic World: Dominion | 2022 | United States | numerous dinosaurs | [138] |
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom | 2018 | United States | numerous dinosaurs | [139][140][141] |
Kamen Rider: Beyond Generations | 2021 | Japan | kaiju | [142][verification needed] |
King Kong | 1933 | United States | King Kong | [28] |
King Kong | 1976 | United States | King Kong | [143] |
King Kong | 2005 | United States, New Zealand | King Kong | [144] |
King Kong Appears in Edo | 1938 | Japan | King Kong | [145] |
King Kong Lives | 1986 | United States | King Kong | [146][147][148] |
King of the Lost World | 2005 | United States | Giant ape | [149] |
King Kong vs. Godzilla | 1962 | Japan, United States | King Kong / Godzilla | [8][80]: Chapter 42 |
Konga | 1961 | United Kingdom | giant gorilla | [150] |
Konga TNT | 2022 | Canada | giant gorilla | [151][152][153] |
Kong: Skull Island | 2017 | United States | King Kong, Skullcrawler | [10][154][155] |
The Loch Ness Horror | 1981 | United States | Loch Ness Monster | [156] |
The Lego Batman Movie | 2017 | United States | King Kong | [157][158] |
The Lost World: Jurassic Park | 1997 | United States | numerous dinosaurs | [159] |
Love and Monsters | 2020 | United States | numerous monsters | [160] |
Mammoth | 2006 | United States | alien/woolly mammoth | [161] |
Mega Shark Versus Crocosaurus | 2010 | United States | shark and crocodile | [162] |
Mega Shark Versus Giant Octopus | 2009 | United States | giant shark and giant octopus | [163] |
Mega Shark Versus Mecha Shark | 2014 | United States | giant shark | [164] |
Mighty Joe Young | 1949 | United States | giant gorilla | [165] |
Mighty Joe Young | 1998 | United States | giant gorilla | [166] |
The Mighty Kong | 1998 | United States | King Kong | [167] |
The Mighty Peking Man | 1977 | Hong Kong | Peking Man / Yeti | [111] |
The Mist | 2007 | United States | various | [16][168][169] |
Monster | 2008 | United States | giant octopus | [170] |
A Monster Calls | 2016 | UK | giant anthropomorphic yew tree | [171][172][173][174][175][176][177] |
Monster Hunter | 2020 | United States | numerous monsters | [178] |
The Monster That Challenged the World | 1957 | United States | Giant molluscs | [179] |
Monsters | 2010 | United Kingdom | six-legged, tentacled beast | [12] |
Monsters: Dark Continent | 2014 | United Kingdom | six-legged, tentacled beast | [180] |
Monsters vs. Aliens | 2009 | United States | various | [16][181] |
Mothra | 1961 | Japan | daikaiju / giant moth | [182][183] |
Mothra vs. Godzilla | 1964 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8] |
Night of the Lepus | 1972 | United States | mutated rabbits | [101] |
Notzilla | 2020 | United States | daikaiju / Godzilla parody | [184] |
On the Comet | 1970 | Czechoslovakia | Dinosaurs, Sea monster | [185] |
Orochi, the Eight-Headed Dragon | 1994 | Japan | Yamata no Orochi / dragon | [186] |
Outlander | 2008 | United States | Moorwen | [16][187][188] |
Pacific Rim | 2013 | United States, Mexico | daikaiju / mecha | [12][189][190][191] |
Pacific Rim: Uprising | 2018 | United States | daikaiju / mecha | [192] |
Primeval | 2007 | United States | crocodile | [16][193][194][195] |
Princ Bajaja | 1971 | Czechoslovakia | dragon | [196] |
Princess Mononoke | 1997 | Japan | Forest spirits and gods | [197] |
Pulgasari | 1985 | North Korea | Pulgasari / daikaiju | [198][199] |
Q | 1982 | United States | Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, depicted as a giant winged lizard | [200] |
Queen Kong | 1976 | UK | giant gorilla | [201] |
Ralph Breaks the Internet | 2018 | United States | Giant Ralph Monster | [202][203] |
Rampage | 2018 | United States | George the Gorilla, Lizzie the Alligator, Ralph the Wolf | [16][204] |
Ready Player One | 2018 | United States | King Kong, Mechagodzilla, Tyrannosaurus | [205] |
Rebirth of Mothra | 1996 | Japan | daikaiju / giant moth | [207] |
Rebirth of Mothra II | 1997 | Japan | daikaiju / giant moth | [207] |
Rebirth of Mothra III | 1998 | Japan | daikaiju / giant moth | [207] |
Reign of Fire | 2002 | United Kingdom, Ireland, United States | dragons | [16][208][209][210] |
Reptilicus | 1961 | Denmark, United States | prehistoric reptile | [211] |
Return of Daimajin | 1966 | Japan | Daimajin | [212] |
The Return of Godzilla/Godzilla 1985 | 1984/1985 | Japan/Japan, United States | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8] |
Return of the Jedi | 1983 | United States | Rancor and Sarlacc | [82] |
Rock Monster | 2008 | United States | rock monster | [88] |
Rodan | 1956 | Japan | flying daikaiju / irradiated pteranodon | [186] |
Scooby-Doo and the Loch Ness Monster | 2004 | United States | Loch Ness Monster | [213] |
Scooby-Doo! and the Reluctant Werewolf | 1988 | United States | Genghis Kong | [214] |
Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur | 2011 | United States | Phantosaur | [215] |
The Sea Beast | 2022 | United States | Red Bluster (giant sea creature) | [216][217][218] |
Shin Godzilla | 2016 | Japan | Godzilla | [8][9] |
Shin Ultraman | 2022 | Japan | kaiju | [219] |
Snakeman | 2005 | United States | Giant five-headed snake | [220] |
Snow Dragon | 2013 | Czech Republic | Dragon | [221] |
Son of Godzilla | 1967 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju | [8][80]: Chapter 92 |
Son of Kong | 1933 | United States | Giant ape | [222] |
Space Amoeba | 1970 | Japan | daikaiju | [223]: 75–76 |
Space Jam: A New Legacy | 2021 | United States | King Kong | [224] |
Space Monster, Wangmagwi | 1967 | South Korea | Wangmagwi | [225] |
Spider-Man | 1978 | Japan | swordfish | [226] |
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | 1999 | United States | Sando Aqua Monster | [82] |
The Story of Voyages | 1983 | Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Romania | Dragon | [227] |
The Suicide Squad | 2021 | United States | Starro / giant alien starfish | [228][229][230][231] |
Super 8 | 2011 | United States | alien | [16] |
Tarantula | 1955 | United States | giant tarantula | [232][29] |
Tentacles | 1977 | Italy, United States | octopus | [233] |
Terror of Mechagodzilla | 1975 | Japan | Godzilla / daikaiju / mecha | [8][80]: Chapter 24 |
Lake Placid | 1999 | United States | Giant crocodile | [234][235] |
Lake Placid 2 | 2007 | United States | Giant crocodile | [236] |
Lake Placid 3 | 2007 | United States | Giant crocodiles | [237] |
Lake Placid: The Final Chapter | 2012 | United States | Giant crocodiles | [238] |
Lake Placid: Legacy | 2018 | United States | Giant crocodile | [239] |
Lake Placid vs. Anaconda | 2015 | United States | Crocodile and anaconda | [240] |
The Lost World | 1925 | United States | numerous dinosaurs | [241] |
The Lost World: Jurassic Park | 1997 | United States | numerous dinosaurs | [242][243] |
Them! | 1954 | United States | radioactive ants | [12][29] |
Thor | 2011 | United States | Frost Beast | [244][117] |
Thor: The Dark World | 2013 | United States | Frost Beast | [245][117] |
Thor: Ragnarok | 2017 | United States | Surtur, Fenris, dragon | [117][246][247][248][249] |
Tremors | 1990 | United States | Graboids | [12] |
Tremors 2: Aftershocks | 1996 | United States | Grabboids | [250] |
Tremors 3: Back to Perfection | 2001 | United States | Grabboids | [251] |
Tremors 4: The Legend Begins | 2004 | United States | Grabboids | [252] |
Tremors 5: Bloodlines | 2015 | United States | Grabboids | [253] |
Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell | 2018 | United States | Grabboids | [254] |
Tremors: Shrieker Island | 2020 | United States | Grabboids | [255][256][257] |
Troll | 2022 | Norway | troll | [258] |
Trollhunter | 2010 | Norway | troll | [12] |
Ultra Galaxy Fight: The Destined Crossroad | 2022 | Japan | kaiju | [219] |
Ultraman Decker Finale: Journey to Beyond | 2023 | Japan | kaiju | [219] |
Ultraman: Monster Movie Feature | 1967 | Japan | kaiju | [219] |
Ultraman Trigger: Episode Z | 2022 | Japan | kaiju | [219] |
Underwater | 2020 | United States | Cthulhu | [259] |
Varan the Unbelievable | 1958 | Japan | Varan / Giant lizard | [260] |
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep | 2007 | United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand | Crusoe (Loch Ness Monster) | [261] |
The War of the Gargantuas | 1966 | Japan | daikaiju | [8] |
What to Do with the Dead Kaiju? | 2022 | Japan | daikaiju | [262] |
World Without End | 1956 | United States | mutated spiders | [29] |
Wrath of the Titans | 2012 | United States, United Kingdom, Spain | monsters from Greek mythology | [16][263][264] |
The X from Outer Space | 1967 | Japan | Guilala / daikaiju | [265] |
Yonggary | 1999 | South Korea | Yonggary | [266] |
Yongary, Monster from the Deep | 1967 | South Korea | Yonggary | [267] |
Za humny je drak | 1982 | Czechoslovakia | Dragon | [268] |
Zarkorr! The Invader | 1996 | United States | daikaiju | [269] |