Number 1 worst godzilla movie

Similar to this equation no doubt....

1.The Son Of Godzilla

2. Godzilla vs. Hedorah

3.Godzilla 1998

1.tristar godzilla

2.godzillas revenge

3. son of godzilla

1. Godzilla's Revenge

2. Son of Godzilla

3. Tristars' 1998 Godzilla

Let's be honest most of the Godzilla movies were bad but the reasons for them being bad became the endearing qualities of these movies. The actors mouths didn't keep up with the words (in translation) the Godzilla costume looked baggy - there were movies where Godzilla danced and spoke. 

But, like I said, those things became some of the reasons why these movies are so popular. 

Personally I think the worst Godzilla movie ever made - was Godzilla 1998. Why? It didn't look, sound, or behave anything like the Godzillas of the past. It was an attempt to change everything about Godzilla. 

I typically don't count the dubbing as a flaw with these films. That's on the American distributors or the international versions, not the original filmmakers.

And while I agree some of that is why the series is popular and endearing, it's a notion that undermines a lot of the earlier films which were pioneering sci-fi adventures for the Japanese film industry back in the day.

The 1960s generally has very good movies, with creative screenwriters and Eiji Tsuburaya pushing the visual effects of the genre into new places. It was never about being realistic, but rather creating its own presentational world that was sufficient unto itself.

It wasn't until Tsuburaya's death that things really took a turn for the worst in the 1970s. That decade got really goofy. The series sort of made a comeback in quality in the 1980s, but the 1990s Godzilla movies probably carry some of the worst script disasters of the series. (although I still enjoy them greatly) Meanwhile, the Millennium series is just kind of... "there".

But there is a much deeper rooted cultural and historical reason these movies, and its genre, were popular beyond the campiness. It's a shame people seem to forget that.

I don't count the 1998 movie as a Godzilla film so it typically gets ignored on any list I make. For me the worst of the worst will always be Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla. The movie was a screenwriting nightmare, the music by Hattori often didn't work, Kawikata's special effects were at his lowest and it attempted to appeal to too many people...

I don't think people have forgotten the cultural and historical reasons for the Godzilla movies - that aspect of these movies were not part of my point. But, it was that "campiness" that made Godzilla so likable to so many. It was that campiness that drew people into what could be a reminder - and forwarning. 

I also don't think the "campiness" or the poor dubbing is a bad thing - at all. It made the movies fun. I can handle a serious Godzilla story - or one with some humor. 

While I agree that the campiness is far from a bad thing (not the poor dubbing, however, but I never watch these movies dubbed anymore) I don't agree it's what initially drew audiences in. Perhaps it depends on the audience and at what point in time they were introduced to Godzilla.

But I believe the initial response was delight and, in some sense, pride, that drew Japanese audiences to Godzilla. The original film proved many things, one of which was that the Japanese film industry could produce large scale special effects movies. As the 60s came in, Godzilla had spawned a wide array of special effects movies and, more importantly, a style that was unique to Japan. By then the campy charm had definitely set in, but I have a hard time buying it was the original draw.

Hello GMAN2887 - first of all, thank you for this great exchange back and forth. Let me also say I'm happy to have found this site. 

If I said the campiness is what originally made these films popular - I mis-typed. That is not what I meant to say. I will try to be a bit more specific without boring you (and others) to death. 

I personally think the original Godzilla movies were directed toward a more mature audience - adults - and yes, they were popular but I think Godzilla became more widely popular when he became more (I hate this word but it works) campy - because then he appealed to children and the "save the planet" theme was able to reach a much wider audience not just adults. When I was a kid, I liked the "fun" Godzilla and I understood the message.

It was only after I became older, I could appreciate "Godzilla, King of the Monsters," with Raymond Burr - and this has become my favorite. 

Sure the adult fan base was already there - but to continue into future generations they had to find a way to reach a wider age based audience and I think the "campiness" was intentional. Then you had adults as well as children in not just Japan, but around the world who loved Godzilla and the monsters of Monster Island protecting the earth and it's people. 

I hope that made more sense. If not, blame it on Nyquil. :) 

1. Godzilla vs. Megalon... I mean Jet Jaguar? Just aweful

2. Godzilla's Revenge... a lil kid dreams about Godzilla doughboy son, turrible

3. Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla... not that terrible if it were from the 70s but being it in the middle of the 90s with some very good Heisei films and the start of the Gamera trilogy, just horrible. MOGERA... c'mon. Were they tryna one up Jet Jaguar with that design

At least vs. Megalon had a consistant story with fewer plot holes. vs. SpaceGodzilla didn't even try to make sense of itself.

I'll probably get a lot of hate for not RAGING over how TERRIBLE Godzilla 1998 was, but to be honest I kind of liked that. If only they would have given it a less misleading title like "DINOSAUR" or "ROAR SCARY MONSTER".

Anyways, here's my list.

3. Godzilla Vs. Gigan

2. Godzilla Vs. The Smog Monster

1. Godzilla's Revenge

I'm really conflicted over Godzilla vs. Gigan because on one hand yes it was pretty terrible, but on the other hand he's one of my(and many others) favorite monster so he can't really be all that bad.

On topic though:

3. Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla

While the story barely makes sense, you have to admit that Space Godzilla is a cool costume and in theory the idea is sound. Who else would be able to fight Godzilla on equal footing? Another Godzilla, duh.

2. Godzilla Vs. Megalon

I'll admit I've only seen the MST3K version of this but boy is it weird and confusing. Megalon is another monster with a cool costume but shows up in a bad movie(noticing a trend here?) and even teams up with Gigan. Oh and I was about to go watch this again until I remembered Jet Jaguar. *Cringe*

1. Godzilla: Final Wars

This is the one that will probably draw me the most hate but I didn't enjoy Final Wars very much at all. Too much mutant/alien/human storylines to the point that it felt like I was watching two different movies at times. Some of the Monsters just looked like straight CGI in a bad way and yeah. Not a fan. However, there is one scene that redeems it for me(you all know the one)

Some of the other ones that have been posted I haven't seen yet, and maybe I shouldnt. But I know I will.

1. GodzillaTristar

2. Son Of Godzilla

3. Godzilla Vs Smog Monster

Godzilla's Revenge and Son of Godzilla.

I'll have to agree with Algerin7713 when I say that Godzilla: Final Wars was pretty weak. I like the designs of the monsters, and Monster X was pretty neat. However, the whole film focused waaay too much on the people and aliens.

The whole thing just fell short, and it was very rushed. Definitely not a good ending to the Japanese Godzilla franchise.

As much of a soft spot as I have for Final Wars, it really is mess of a movie. I praise it for being a very different Godzilla film (probably the most different of the prior 30 years), but it didn't pull it off very well at all.

I'd like to consider it a satire of the series, but the benefits of calling it such do the movie, an series, less favors than fans wish.