eLdavis wrote: ↑Godzilla has been around for a while now, there have been lots of movies, animated movies and series about it through out the years, for a beginner who wants to watch Godzilla, it might get a bit confusing as to what to watch first and so on. How do i know which one to watch first?
Getting into the Godzilla franchise can indeed be a bit overwhelming, given its long history and numerous films, series, and animated projects. Here’s a guide to help you get started:
### Original Series (Showa Era, 1954-1975)
1. **Gojira (1954)** - Start with this original Japanese film, as it introduces the character and sets the tone for much of what follows. There's also an American re-edit titled "Godzilla, King of the Monsters!" (1956) which you might find interesting.
2. **Other Showa Films** - If you're interested in the classic era, you can continue watching in release order. Notable entries include "Mothra vs. Godzilla" (1964), "Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster" (1964), and "Destroy All Monsters" (1968).
### Heisei Series (1984-1995)
1. **The Return of Godzilla (1984)** - This film acts as a direct sequel to the 1954 original, igniting a new continuity. It's followed by several sequels including "Godzilla vs. Biollante" (1989) and "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah" (1991).
### Millennium Series (1999-2004)
1. **Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999)** - This series often treats each film as a standalone sequel to the 1954 original, offering fresh takes on the character. Other key films include "Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack" (2001) and "Godzilla: Final Wars" (2004).
### Reiwa Series (2016-present)
1. **Shin Godzilla (2016)** - Renowned for modernizing the Godzilla mythos, Shin Godzilla is a standalone film that offers a new origin story and fresh perspective.
2. **Anime Films & Series** - The anime trilogy starting with "Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters" (2017) on Netflix provides a unique take. There's also the anime series "Godzilla Singular Point" (2021) for something different.
### Hollywood Versions
1. **Godzilla (1998)** - An American reimagining that stands apart from the Toho films. It’s often considered non-canonical to the Japanese series.
2. **MonsterVerse** - Start with "Godzilla" (2014), followed by "Kong: Skull Island" (2017), "Godzilla: King of the Monsters" (2019), and "Godzilla vs. Kong" (2021). This series connects Godzilla with other legendary monsters.
### Suggested Watching Path:
- **Begin with the Original:** Watch the 1954 "Gojira" to understand the roots of the franchise.
- **Explore Different Eras:** Sample a few films from each era (Showa, Heisei, Millennium, and Reiwa) to see the evolution of the character.
- **Modern Take:** Check out both "Shin Godzilla" and the Hollywood MonsterVerse for contemporary interpretations.
- **Expand with Anime and Series:** Dive into the animated features if interested in alternate storytelling methods.
This approach will give you a broad understanding of how Godzilla has evolved over time and help you appreciate the various iterations of this iconic character.