The Many, Many, Different Godzilla Cinematic Universes-Timelines
With Godzilla Resurgence just coming around the corner, making this to be the 29th Toho Godzilla film and 31 films (yes, including the 1998 version) officially staring everyone’s gigantic, radioactive reptile. But did you know that there are nine different cinematic story-timelines? Yep that is a lot of reboots and different alternative timelines by even today’s standards. Which explains some of the minor confusion among some fans wondering how all the films are connected. In addition there are other kaiju films that while they do not contain Godzilla, are still part of the universe they live in (kind of like how Thor and Iron Man are in the same cinematic universe even though there are times they are not in each other’s movies a lot). One asterisks means they are relevant while two means that, while they are potentially in the same universe they are not important/optional to watch in order. So below are the nine different timelines that the Godzilla films took place chronology in their respective universes.
The Showa/Original Timeline
These are the original Godzilla movies. Pretty fun and enjoyable movies. Overall the films are released in chronological order EXCEPT Destroy All Monsters, which is at the end of the timeline.
Godzilla (1954)
Godzilla Raids Again
Rodan*
Varan the Unbelievable**
Mothra (1961)*
King Kong vs. Godzilla
Mothra vs. Godzilla
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster
Invasion of Astro-Monster
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep
King Kong Escapes**
Son of Godzilla
All Monster’s Attack
Godzilla vs. Hedorah
Godzilla vs. Gigan
Godzilla vs. Megalon
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Terror of Mechagodzilla
Destroy All Monsters
The Heisei/The Life and Death Saga
Arguably the best of all the series and have a heavy plot, so it is more story drive and the movies are closely connected. This focuses on the origins, life and eventful death of the King of the Monsters. Most of the kaiju (with the exception of King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Rodan) are personally connected to Godzilla in some interesting ways.
Godzilla (1954)
The Return of Godzilla
Godzilla vs. Biollante
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
Godzilla vs. Mothra
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah
45 Year Occurrence
The shortest timeline to date. Contrary to popular belief among some fans, the Godzilla in 2000 is not Godzilla Junior from the last timeline as Toho announced this was the second one of their kind after the 1954 incident.
Godzilla (1954)
Godzilla 2000: Millennium
Attack of the Prehistorians Trilogy
The least connected of the movies. The only thing linking these movies is Megaguirus and 1960s Japan is under attacked by prehistoric kaiju. Despite the usage of the same suit, the Godzilla in Godzilla 2000: Millennium is not the same nor have any connection with Godzilla vs. Megaguirus.
Godzilla (1954)
Rodan**
Godzilla vs. Megaguirus
Mankind’s Sins Trilogy
It is surprising to think that the 1998 film is even remotely part of any Godzilla timeline. Zilla is actually mention in GMK and the theme here is humanity essentially destroying the Earth, tempting with and combating nature, and nature’s wrath.
Godzilla (1954)
Godzilla (1998)
Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack
The Kiryu/The Ghost Godzilla Saga
Probably the most interesting aspect of this is the original Godzilla appears in more than one movie and fights and another Godzilla… or rather the bones of the original being used as the framework of Kiryu, the third incarnation of Mechagodzilla. The Mothra is the same individual throughout the series.
Godzilla (1954)
Mothra (1961)
Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
The Kaiju War Universe
Technically the other Showa films listed here are not related to Final Wars. BUT the timeline of those films can be argued to lead up to the last movie in this timeline.
Godzilla (1954)
Godzilla Raids Again**
Rodan**
Varan the Unbelievable**
Mothra (1961)**
Godzilla: Final Wars
Legendary Godzilla Universe
Or rather, the events that lead up to the epic rematch of the 21st Century. The first timeline to not start with nor have any connection with the 1954 film.
Kong: Skull Island
Godzilla (2014)
Godzilla 2
Godzilla vs. Kong
Godzilla Resurgence Saga
Interestingly enough this is the first time that a Toho Godzilla movie is not connected to the original 1954 according to sources. Basically a reboot. So we have two independent series going on. It is currently unknown if this will be the start of a new series.
Happy watchings! Hope this was very informative :)
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