Top 10 Genuinely Terrifying Godzilla Moments
#10: Tsunami Arrival
“Godzilla” (2014) The Godzilla that we see in the first MonsterVerse film may not be set up as a villain, but that doesn’t mean Big G wasn’t a big deal. In fact, its arrival off the coast of Honolulu causes a tsunami to ravage the island. Godzilla is in the area thanks to a mating call set off by a male MUTO, but the overall atmosphere is one of dread and doom. Life and property alike are swept up by the tsunami’s rage, and it’s this scene that helps set up the MonsterVerse Godzilla as a true threat, wherever it goes.
#9: Jaw Rip
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“Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla” (1974) Sure, the MechaGodzilla at the end of this scene may not technically be Godzilla, but this offers little in the way of condolences to poor Anguirus. Both this kaiju and us, the audience, are initially stumped as to why these former friends are fighting. MechaGodzilla as Fake Godzilla takes it to Anguirus, and this 1974 film initially implies that the King of the Monsters has gone bad. The real Big G does eventually show up to make things right, but not before poor Anguirus gets its jaw ripped in a bloody, violent fashion.
#8: Stealth Mode
“Godzilla vs. Kong” (2021) The MonsterVerse iteration of Godzilla may have first been criticized over its weight, but it’s come a long way since then, essentially silencing detractors. Its first battle with King Kong in this crossover is a great example, showcasing the giant kaiju in full stealth mode as it approaches Kong from the water. The tension and anticipation are palpable as The King of the Monsters waits to make a move before attacking Kong and a United States Navy convoy. Meanwhile, the execution highlights Godzilla’s learning and adaptability with regard to fighting patterns and strategy.
#7: Shindo’s Death
“Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah” (1991) What would you do if confronted nose-to-snout against The King of the Monsters? This is what happens to Yasuaki Shindo, a Japanese World War II veteran whose life was saved by a Godzillasaurus during a confrontation with American forces. The modern-day Shindo feels guilt-stricken about how the time-travel plot of “Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah” has resulted in a Big G rampage throughout Tokyo. The conflicted vet decides to get one final look at Godzilla, as The King of the Monsters seems to recognize the man in return. A moment of silence seems to take forever as Shindo stares down Godzilla. Then, Big G blasts the building with atomic breath, incinerating Shindo and leveling it to the ground.
#6: No Mercy for Baragon
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“Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack” (2001) We’re used to seeing Godzilla defeat enemies, but it hits a bit differently when it comes to Baragon. This diminutive little kaiju enjoys a strong connection with fans, thanks to just how darn cute Baragon is. That said, Baragon didn’t stand a chance going up against Godzilla in 2001’s “Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack.” Baragon puts up a valiant effort, but this Guardian Monster ends up trying, in vain, to escape Godzilla’s attacks. Big G has no mercy for Baragon, however, and blasts the down kaiju dog to bits with an atomic blast. In the meantime, our hearts are broken. We love you, Baragon.
#5: Melted Skin & Ripped Insides
“Godzilla vs. Hedorah” (1971) This entry is twofold since 1971’s “Godzilla vs. Hedorah” features a whole lot of gross weirdness during its running time. For starters, there’s the fact that the daytime attacks of Hedorah cause TONS of fatalities amongst the populous. These include graphic scenes of melted skin, people falling from scaffolding, and scattering citizens succumbing to Hedorah’s toxic fumes. Later on, Godzilla gets in on the grossness by tearing into Hedorah’s body and ripping out… well, we’re actually not sure what Big G has in its hands. We don’t want to speculate either, but the Hedorah-POV shot possesses psychedelic uneasiness that leans heavily into the film’s already odd and off-kilter atmosphere.
#4: Hospital Kill
“Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack” (2001) The fear is palpable in this scene from 2001’s “Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack.” For starters, this Millennium Era Godzilla design possesses creepy, whitened eyeballs that add to the King of the Monsters’ already fearsome appearance. Then, there’s the setting of a hospital, and a young woman who’s essentially trapped inside, as Godzilla approaches the city. The camera angle looking up at Godzilla from the hospital window evokes a feeling of dread. Then, the young woman gasps in relief, as Big G seemingly passes her by… only for him to whip the hospital level with its tail on the way out. Ouch.
#3: Godzilla’s Death
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“The Return of Godzilla” (1984) There are a number of scenes within 1984’s “The Return of Godzilla” that manage to be frightening, without Big G even being on screen. The opening boat wreck sequence comes to mind. The film provides a Godzilla story that attempts to replicate the more serious tone of the 1954 original, and this can be seen during the death scene. The international cuts of the film feature a second, higher-pitched scream that makes Godzilla’s fall into a volcano seem all the more intense. This second scream wasn’t featured in the Japanese cut, but the American edit, titled “Godzilla 1985” streamlines the story into a more action and horror-oriented direction.
#2: Immolated Citizens
“Godzilla” (1954) There’s nothing fun about the original 1954 “Godzilla.” The kaiju’s rampage is never taken lightly and instead underlines Godzilla as a metaphor for nuclear war. The scene where a mother attempts to comfort her child during Godzilla’s rampage is particularly heartbreaking. There’s also the aftermath of the attacks, which are dark, depressing, and realistic. Speaking of realism, the victims of Godzilla’s atomic breath are seen collapsing in the streets as their homes are being immolated all around them. These attacks are truly presented as end-time events and are treated with the sort of respect and fear reserved for only the most destructive of apocalypses.
#1: Enter Godzilla
“Godzilla” (1954) The original “Godzilla” takes a little bit of time setting up suspense before the initial reveal of Godzilla. And there’s just something indescribably eerie about how Big G’s face appears over the hilltop. Its animalistic features are a far cry from the goofier creature designs of the Showa Era and instead lean into this first “Godzilla” film as a true horror picture. This King of the Monsters seems to possess no pity for its victims and terrorizes our screens with an entrance that instantly entered the pop culture history books as one for the ages.
