GODZILLA (1954-1975)

The first 15 films featuring Godzilla, starting with GODZILLA (1954) and ending with TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (1975), comprise what is known as the Showa era Godzilla series. Godzilla is destroyed by a heroic scientist with a super weapon in the first film, but Godzilla, what appears a year later in GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN (1955), survives to star in 13 more films. Over time, both Godzilla’s look and its attitude change and evolve in ways that reflect the giant monster’s shift from being an apocalyptic threat to mankind to serving (along with its kaiju allies) as a frequent defender of the Earth against extraterrestrial threats. The Showa era series concludes with the defeat of Mechagodzilla in GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA (1975). Godzilla is last seen heading out to sea.