The 15 Best Kaiju Films Ranked

Above, Godzilla peers over a building in the Shinjuku section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to imagine in this day (with all the video technology we have) and age that some people have never seen a giant monster movie, but there are still some out there who haven't.

If anyone who has never seen a daikaiju eiga (giant monster movie) and wants to get started with a list of "essential" kaiju films to watch and begin their "study", the following could be just what the doctor ordered.

Slash Film has a list of 15 "best" kaiju films ranked. They aren't the "best" as far as film quality goes, but these are films that run the gamut from the deadly serious to wacky silliness. 

They begin their list with:

With their memorable roars and towering heights, kaiju (aka giant monsters) continue to have an endearing impact on cinema. Whether it be their silly theatrical presentations or their terrifying on-screen personas, kaiju are among the most unique pop culture creatures to ever exist. From "King Kong" to the immortal "Godzilla," every one of these massive movie stars has not only inspired kids' imaginations, but also spurred great filmmakers to tell their stories in the most fascinating of ways.

However, the question remains: Which among the plethora of kaiju movies is the best of the best? That's harder to define than Godzilla's actual height. But, while it would take forever to examine every one of the great giant monster movies, the picks on this list continue to excite fans both young and young at heart. No matter where you are in your kaiju journey, these movies deserve some giant-sized respect.

Above, yours truly with Godzilla himself, Haruo Nakajima, in 2013. Photo by Jeff Blanken.

To see the list, go here.