Godzilla (1954)
Kernel Score: 87% · 1,079 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Thriller, Horror, Science Fiction
Released: 1954-11-03
Runtime: 96 minutes
Where to watch Godzilla
- Stream: The Criterion Channel, TCM, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Japan is thrown into a panic after several ships are sunk near Odo Island. An expedition to the island led by Dr. Kyohei Yamane soon discover something far more devastating than imagined in the form of a 50 meter tall monster whom the natives call Gojira. Now the monster begins a rampage that threatens to destroy not only Japan, but the rest of the world as well.
Godzilla parents' guide: ages 8+
Parents need to know that the original 1954 Godzilla is a black-and-white monster film with disaster imagery evoking real nuclear devastation.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Depicts a giant monster's rampage causing destruction, shipwrecks, and citywide devastation, evoking atomic bomb imagery.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Godzilla
If you liked Godzilla, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001) — 85%
- Shin Godzilla (2016) — 81%
- Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla (2002) — 84%
- The Return of Godzilla (1984) — 80%
- Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) — 87%
- Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) — 85%
- Godzilla Minus One (2023) — 86%
- Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964) — 76%
Director
Cast
- Akira Takarada as Hideto Ogata
- Momoko Kôchi as Emiko Yamane
- Akihiko Hirata as Daisuke Serizawa
- Takashi Shimura as Kyohei Yamane
- Fuyuki Murakami as Professor Tanabe
- Sachio Sakai as Newspaper Reporter Hagiwara
- Ren Yamamoto as Masaji Yamada
- Toyoaki Suzuki as Shinkichi Yamada
- Toranosuke Ogawa as President of Company
- Hiroshi Hayashi as Chairman of Diet Committee
Godzilla FAQ
Is Godzilla good?
Godzilla has an 87% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 1,079 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Godzilla?
In the US you can stream Godzilla on The Criterion Channel, TCM, HBO Max and Cinemax Apple TV channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is Godzilla OK for kids?
Godzilla is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 8+. Parents need to know that the original 1954 Godzilla is a black-and-white monster film with disaster imagery evoking real nuclear devastation.
What movies are like Godzilla?
If you liked Godzilla, try Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, Shin Godzilla, Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla and The Return of Godzilla.