Double Feature Creature Features!!!!

Hmm... This is a fun idea. I'll have to mull over this a bit, but I'll get back to you soon. I definitely think Godzilla Raids Again and Rodan is the right route to go for tomorrow.

Well there's an incredibly large and diverse library of kaiju films outside of the Godzilla series, both from Toho and other companies. Here's just a few that I feel coincide nicely with Godzilla films.

Godzilla Raids Again (1955) and Gamera vs. Barugon (1966): Both the second films of their respective franchises, and both set the tone for the films that followed. The similarities don't end there: the star monster from the first film returns to battle a new, quadrupedal reptilian enemy monster in the city of Osaka. Personally, I think Gamera vs. Barugon is the far superior film of the two, but I find the similarities between them interesting.

Mothra (1961) and Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964): I think this double feature makes a lot of sense, because Mothra vs. Godzilla is actually a sequel to Mothra, which introduces the character of Mothra as well as the Shobijin, her two twin fairies. I also think both are absolutely stellar entries entries in the Showa era kaiju library, and two of Ishiro Honda's finest efforts.

Rodan (1956) and Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964): Rodan crossed over into the Godzilla series with Ghidorah, but made his debut in Rodan, which is another standout film of the Showa series.

The Mysterians (1957) and Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965): The Mysterians was Toho's first alien invasion movie and was where Ishiro Honda arguably found his true niche, while Invasion of Astro-Monster was the first film to bring the alien invasion concept to the Godzilla series. Beyond this connection, they also feature the late great Yoshio Tsuchiya in a memorable villain role.

Gamera vs. Zigra (1971) and Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971): Both films were released in 1971, and both attempt to address the issue of Earth's oceans being polluted by mankind, with their titular monster heroes doing battle with a malevolent alien monster that emerges from the ocean.

Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995) and Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995): While the Godzilla series was coming to its (temporary) end, the Gamera series was revived in 1995. I think these films merit being compared against each other because while Godzilla vs. Destoroyah was highly publicized and had a seemingly ambitious concept, Gamera was a lower-budget film that resurrected a long-dead franchise, and is considered by many to be a superior film. You could also pair Guardian of the Universe with Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) instead, which shows exactly what was wrong with the Heisei Godzilla series and part of the reason it came to an end: Daiei made a far superior film on a fraction of the budget.

Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris (1999) and Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999): In a sort of inverse of what happened in 1995, the epic Gamera Trilogy came to a close in 1999 while the Godzilla series began again with the first entry of the Millennium series. I think watching these two films back to back really presents the sharp divide in quality between the two series: Gamera was largely quality over quantity, with Godzilla the polar opposite. Both films came out in the same year, but in my opinion G3 is miles ahead of G2K, which I by no means consider a bad film.

Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) and Gamera the Brave (2006): These two films are arguably what "killed" kaiju eiga, at least until its current revival. Both films were probably more expensive than they had any reason to be, leading both to be box office disappointments and the last entries in their respective franchises for a decade. But they are both incredibly different films; Final Wars an overstuffed borderline parody of the franchise, and The Brave a heartfelt tribute to the Gamera films of old that tried to appeal both to younger and older fans. I know my bias toward one of these films is probably obvious, but I still think it is an interesting contrast to watch these two films back to back.

Those are just some of my recommendations. I know a lot of them involved Gamera films, but I feel there is often a very fascinating parallel dynamic between the Godzilla and Gamera series, and Gamera films are typically easier to come by than some of Toho's non-Godzilla library.

Hmmm... I love the idea but am drawing a blank for your rules. I will make a stretch and say Planet of the Apes series, old and new since they are giant creatures from an ant's POV?

The only other creature I can think of is King Kong.

I look forward to see what G. H. (Gman) comes up with!

Thank you for the recommendations! Tomorrow is Godzilla Raids Again. So I'll announce what I watch along with the film. Keep them coming!

Well I can make acceptions dk, King Kong would be a great double feature with King Kong vs Godzilla or King Kong Escapes. I'll except any giant monster movie. For example Dogra, Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Trantula, Gamera, Them, doesn't matter. Just try and find a fun fit to any Godzilla film. 

Maybe go old school with Sinbad?

^I can see that. I have not watched that movie in 20 sum odd years. I love all those movies with Dynamation. I think I spelled that right haha. What Godzilla film would you recommend that go well with like Peanut butter and jelly, dk?

looking for more suggestions. keep them coming!

@ The King of the Monsters, I liked how you put together some good monster movies by their themes. I will consider the lot of them as I go along.

Pair up the original Gojira with Beasts from 20,000 fathoms. Originators. No other reason needed.

Godzilla Raids again and It Came from Beneath The Sea. Just a story of a radioactive monster wanting to each some fish.

Hedorah and Gamera vs. Zigra for that "WE ARE DESTROYING THE PLANET WITH POLLUTION" social commentary.

Rodan and THEM!.  I know neither is a Godzilla film, but Rodan is in the Godzilla universe so it counts for me. That would feed the "I WANT TO SEE GIANT INSECTS ALL THE TIME" people.

Godzilla and Godzilla 2000. You get to see what American producers think of Godzilla, and then see what Japanese producers think of American producers.

Godzilla Final Wars and Big Man Japan. A review in extreme ideas and perspectives. You get to see the Godzilla Franchise try to go all out and then question what the very idea of having to battle giant monsters really means.

Shin Godzilla and Colossal. One story is about how many people work through their problems to solve an issue and defeat a giant monster, and the other is about how one person works through their problems to solve an issue and defeat a giant monster.

^I like the use of classic monster movies your doing! I will consider these.

everyday I will post what I watched the night before and try to give a review of why and how it meshed nicely or disjointed.

No one thought to put Invasion of Astro-Monster with Frankenstein Conquers the world? Nick Adams stars in both films along with the same cast!

^D'oh! Yeah. That's an easy one.

Nice catch. Both are great giant monster films as well. Love me some Nick Adams.

I think it makes for a fun night

Sorry if I have been too busy and if anyone still cared if I paired any monster movies up with but I try and keep it coming in my busy schedule.

Ghidorah, The 3 Headed Monster and Dogora! Both had the alien theme and I got a sci-fi high from it all!

Invasion of Astro Monster with Frankenstein Conquers The World! Other than giant monster battles the real reason to pin these two together is quite obvious. Nick Adams. He got a lot of crap from Hollywood and Toho gave him some of his best and IMO, the most iconic roles of his career! Although "Die! Monster Die!"(1965) is another one that is great. Give that one a look see if your a Nick Adams fan.

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep and Space Amoeba! This was something I had to put together. Both featuring gigantic crustaceans just seemed to to fit the bill for me.

Son Of Godzilla along with Tarantula! Ok trying to broad my horizons away from just Toho films. Tarantula is by far the best giant spider movie from any era. Try and tell me its not. So to see Kumonga and Tarantula together in one night would surly give anyone the creeps!

You can do another similar pairing with Son of Godzilla. Instead of Tarantula, try Deadly Mantis to match with Kamacuras.

Oooo! That's another good one. I have that on a Mst3k episode. Good idea 

So I matched up Destroy all Monsters with Gamera vs Guiron. Both have female alien protagonists aliens. And both have a large Kaiju cast. 

Also All Monsters Attack and Gamera:Super Monster. Even tho All Monsters Attack is a much superior film to the Gamera flash back film. The reason I chose the, together is obvious. Both have children antagonists along with a flashback sequence of earlier monster movies. 

Godzilla vs Hedorah with Gamera vs Zigra. Thank you King of the Monsters. Your suggestion really fit the bill! 

Godzilla vs Gigan with Gamera vs Viras! Both have aliens trying to take over the earth(again)! 

Godzilla vs Megaon with Gamera vs Monster X! This ones a stretch i know  but both Jaiga and Megalon are completely different  they are both not aliens and both come from strange backgrounds and ancient cities. 

So on the topic of Godzilla vs Hedorah I have a question for anyone who wishes to answer! 

What is the deal with those old "zombie" people watching the teenagers party at Mount Fuji?

also I think Godzilla vs Hedorah is the strangest Godzilla movie along with Shin Gojira. Those 2 stand out the most out the entire series as the most abstract. Any opinions?

I love Godzilla vs Hedorah. I believe it is in my top 5 of Godzilla films. I have heard a lot of talk about the "zombie" people in that film but never anything definitive. David Kalat refers to them as "rural villagers? spirits of the dead?" in his book A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series. I could see it being either of those things. The teenagers drove their cards (which adds to the pollution) up to the mountain and then started a fire (which probably doesn't help with the pollution problem) which probably drew the attention of Hedorah and lead to more death. This could be adults, or "spirits", that are trying to see what is going on or just judging the teenagers for bringing more death and destruction to the mountain.