Movies
RANKING THE GODZILLA ERAS: Giant Monster Greatness, Time After Time
Leaving a screening of Godzilla: Minus One late last year, the same usual conversations of our favorite Godzilla films ripped through my friend group as we processed the spectacle we had just seen (and lamented that Minus One would never win an Oscar, since I had very little faith in the Academy, but I stand corrected).
We praised the film’s incredible cinematography, performances, and all it had managed to do on a reported budget of $15 million. But in my mind, I was starting to think back through the many years and years of Godzilla films that had been made, and wondered: if this was how the current era of Godzilla was shaping up, how did the others? Was the best yet to come, or has it already happened?
Every Godzilla Era RANKED
Today is an attempt to try and organize my thoughts on them, by ranking each of the four major eras: Showa, Heisei, Millenium, and Reiwa.
If you’re curious why they’re designated this way, it’s because each era is named after a corresponding political period in Japan, with each period itself named after the posthumous name of Japan’s emperor.
Except for Millenium, they just call it that because the first film was Godzilla 2000: Millenium.
Weird.
I’ll also include a “Highlight of the Era” for each that details the films I believe best capture the spirit of the time and are just fun films to watch in isolation. So, let’s start with an…
Honorable Mention: THE LEGENDARY ERA
The Legendary Studios films, dubbed the Monsterverse for marketing purposes, are not great. With the exception of Godzilla (2014), they have some truly atrocious writing and world-building. But they are undeniably very fun to watch if you can disregard quality and just love ridiculous monster fights, so I felt obliged to mention it.
They may deserve a whole article of their own just trying to decipher how they ended up that way, but that is not this article.
4. THE MILLENIUM ERA
Home of arguably the best Godzilla suit design, the Millenium era was marked as a bold venture into the 2000s with a series of six standalone movies, each one branching off as an independent continuation of the original 1954 Godzilla. The Millenium Era is home to many good Godzilla films and has no poorly made ones. But it does come in last because it doesn’t have any truly great films in its ranks. There are no showstopping Millenium era entries, despite all the fun that is to be had here.
On top of that, the Millenium films were intended as more of a Godzilla anthology than a line of sequels. Still, that concept is abandoned halfway through since there is a duology in the middle of the era with Against Mechagodzilla and Tokyo S.O.S.. The last film, Final Wars, feels much more like a Heisei or Showa era tribute film that is even more disconnected. Though the Millenium Era has plenty to offer in its many parts, a lack of cohesion makes it less enjoyable as a whole.
Highlight of the Era: A much younger version of myself would say Godzilla: Final Wars was the end-all-be-all of Godzilla films. It’s the “cereal and Saturday morning cartoon” of Godzilla films that will make you feel like a child again. And though that is very appealing, cereal doesn’t have the most complex flavor profile. So, in retrospect, the most balanced and well-made of the Millenium films to introduce someone to is Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. This is kind of a crazy sentence when you read that title, but it is the best of the era.
3. THE REIWA ERA
The fledgling of the list, the Reiwa Era has only really just begun. It might seem strange to rank this above the Millenium films, which are fully developed as an era, but Shin Godzilla and Godzilla Minus One are both solidly top ten Godzilla movies of all time right out the gate, and I can confidently say it has nothing to do with recency bias. That is a real marker of quality, and a great sign of things to come.
They are truly compelling stories that utilize Godzilla perfectly, both as a player on the stage and as a strong thematic core to the narrative. Like the Millenium Era, however, it’s lacking a strong backbone that will have to be built up over time. The animated Netflix features that accompany this era is a trilogy of films that feel fairly far off from any conventional Godzilla film, with some sci-fi plots and creature designs that felt flat at release and upon rewatch.
Takashi Yamazaki, director of Godzilla: Minus One, has expressed in interviews that he has an interest in following up on his phenomenal work in that film. If the sequel is to happen, there’s supposedly going to be a stronger focus on “[pulling] off a more serious tone of kaiju-versus-kaiju with human drama”. If the Reiwa era belongs to him, and more passionate filmmakers with clear direction like him and Hideaki Anno, then it’s safe to say this era is in good hands.
Highlight of the Era: All of it I guess? Again, only two live-action films. I will give a cheat answer and say that the animation and character designs in the Godzilla: Singular Point series are pretty great, so you should also check that out if you haven’t yet.
2. THE SHOWA ERA
The longest-running of all the eras with an astounding fifteen films, it’s incredibly hard to encapsulate a period of Godzilla history as sprawling as this one. Steered by the on-and-off direction of Ishirō Honda, 21 years of Godzilla history seem to blur together in the mind’s eye if you haven’t seen any of these recently. Details mix, and sometimes plots repeat. But this is the quintessential era for viewing Godzilla and understanding how the icon evolved from an avatar of cultural memory and the atrocities of war into children’s favorite monster.
Though the period saw diminishing financial returns at the box office, almost every movie of the Showa Era became a staple through their television releases and engrained themselves into the minds and hearts of everybody who came across them. The period gets a lot of flak for the handful of films that reuse footage and only show sparing creativity, but the hit rate for the Showa Era when it comes to films that are both successful and enjoyable films is uncanny. Few franchises are as reliable as Godzilla, and only one era is consistently better in quality.
Highlight of the Era: The very obvious answer is to say the original Godzilla (1954), but saying it’s a highlight would be like saying the Taj Mahal is a “highlight” of international architecture, it’s an understatement. I will instead go with Godzilla vs Hedorah. I didn’t vibe with it in the past, but can now appreciate it for its very out-there visuals, laying the groundwork of unique environmental conservation themes that resurface in later films, and for having some of the best special effects of the era.
1. THE HEISEI ERA
But the Heisei Era? The Heisei Era is a different animal altogether. Running for a paltry 9 years compared to its predecessor, the cycle that began with The Return of Godzilla followed through to its bloody, wonderful end in Godzilla vs Destoroyah with some of, if not the best, kaiju movies to ever grace our screens.
Getting a high-quality sequel to a monster movie, let alone a trilogy that works well is hard. But there has never been a back-to-back seven-movie hot streak in horror like the Heisei era’s. The cinematography got better with each film, and the effects flounce every other era with ease. The writing is solid and captures all the fun of the Showa era while giving it some emotional weight; it even manages to pull off the especially difficult task of giving Godzilla and his cohorts some real personality and life to them.
Of course, I’d be remiss not to talk about the effects here more. The kaiju designs of Koichi Kawakita are the best to grace the series and played no small part in making the Heisei era a visual powerhouse. His work brought us a score of new creatures, automatic fan favorites like Battra, Moguera, Biollante, and, of course, the menace that is Destoroyah. It’s hard to overstate how influential these designs and the art direction of the films were, since they affect every other movie that comes after them. Heisei is at the head of the pack, and like Godzilla himself, it’s going to be hard to unseat the king of the monsters.
Highlight of the Era: Now, Godzilla fans will know the objectively right answer here is Godzilla vs Destoroyah. It’s a masterpiece, it’s the only film that feels like it’s really closing out an era, and it serves as a satisfying finisher to the insanely good series that precedes it. It’s incredible, no arguments here.
…But I have to choose Godzilla vs Space Godzilla, because it has the best enemy kaiju in all regards. A good friend of mine once said, “Space Godzilla is the most frightening villain of any Godzilla film because he’s the only one to attack Godzilla psychologically”.
I know that sounds ridiculous but trust us. Godzilla vs Space Godzilla is the way.
***
Did you enjoy this article? Got some monster-sized thoughts on our rankings? Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram and let us know in the comments. And for the latest in all news horror movies, television, and more, stay tuned to Horror Press and The Horror Press Podcast! Happy reading horror fans!
Movies
12 Upcoming Horror Movies To Look Forward To In 2025
As the new year rapidly approaches, it is time to set some resolutions. Since you’re here, let’s assume you’ve resolved to watch more horror movies in 2025. Well, I’m here to help you with that with my guide of the most exciting upcoming releases in the genre.
As the new year rapidly approaches, it is time to set some resolutions. Since you’re here, let’s assume you’ve resolved to watch more horror movies in 2025. Well, I’m here to help you with that with my guide of the most exciting upcoming releases in the genre.
12 Horror Movies to Look forward to in 2025
Please note that the release dates listed here are subject to change, and it’s entirely possible that some of these movies could end up getting pushed to 2026. Also, this list leans toward bigger franchise movies, because those are the titles that get release dates so far ahead of time. The next Longlegs or The Substance will likely be added to the schedule later, sneaking up behind you when you least expect it, as they very well should.
Companion (January 10)
Is this a “proper” horror movie or more of a killer thriller like Strange Darling or Fresh? I don’t care! It was produced by Barbarian’s Zach Cregger and stars Scream 2022/The Boys’ Jack Quaid, so I’m already seated. Also on hand are Yellowjackets’ Sophie Thatcher, You’s Lukas Gage, and What We Do in the Shadows’ Harvey Guillén.
Wolf Man (January 17)
Leigh Whannell returns to the Universal Monsters, after bringing 2020’s The Invisible Man to life. I don’t see a way this update of The Wolf Man starring Christopher Abbott can match the magic of The Invisible Man, but Whannell knows what he’s doing. Each subsequent directorial effort has been an improvement on the last (Insidious: Chapter 3? Solid. Upgrade? Awesome.), but even if he slips slightly, he’s never helmed a less than enjoyable feature.
The Monkey (February 21)
Theo James leads this Osgood Perkins adaptation of the Stephen King short story of the same name. That’s a roster of talent that can’t be ignored, even if Perkins doesn’t carry as much mileage with me as he does with many others. His presence will almost certainly prevent this from sinking into relative obscurity like 2023’s The Boogeyman, at the very least.
The Woman in the Yard (March 28)
There is basically no plot information for this upcoming Blumhouse production, which stars Danielle Deadwyler. Frankly, the title makes it sound like a thriller in the vein of Gone Girl or The Woman in the Window, which isn’t necessarily that exciting in 2024. However. The movie was directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, returning to the horror genre for the first time since… well, does 2016’s The Shallows count as horror? I say it does. Anyway, it’s been a while, and it’s good to have the director of Orphan and 2005’s House of Wax back in the fold.
28 Years Later (June 20)
The long-awaited sequel to the incredible 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later still feels like a fever dream. Reuniting director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland is a move that could go either way, as their careers have taken widely divergent paths since collaborating on the original 2002 installment. The fact that it’s meant to kick off a sequel trilogy also gives me pause, as designing a new movie to spawn its own sequels is not exactly a recipe for success. All that said… I just don’t know how to not be excited about this one.
M3GAN 2.0 (June 27)
Sure, this sequel will probably have some try-hard scenes attempting to manufacture viral moments. But the first M3GAN was so much more than that dance scene, so if this can capture even half of that magic, we’re in good hands.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (July 18)
While the cast of this legacy sequel is still coming together, there is something exciting about the B-tier slasher franchise finally having a moment to itself in 2025. With just three movies and a TV show (two of which most people have never seen), the I Know What You Did Last Summer universe is a little sparse, so there’s something fun about it really being the only major, classic slasher franchise project we’re due to get this year.
Saw XI (September 26)
Speaking of major franchises… Can the crew behind Saw X capture lightning in a bottle twice? I’d sure like to see them try. While this movie was delayed from its original 2023 date, this is the closest we’ve gotten in some time to the classic era where they were just cranking one of these out every Halloween. That process doesn’t always result in the best movies, but the “fuck it, we’re shooting in three weeks” mentality tends to lead to wild choices more often than not (see Jason vs. the telekinetic girl in Friday VII), because there simply isn’t time to question them.
The Bride! (September 26)
I’m glad that, instead of continuing to try and make the Dark Universe happen over and over again, Universal now seems content to hand the keys to a particular monster over to an interesting filmmaker. This new take on Bride of Frankenstein, written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, also features a stacked-as-hell cast that includes Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Penélope Cruz, Annette Bening, and Jake Gyllenhaal (now how in the hell did they manage to get him?). The Bride of Frankenstein is also woefully underrepresented in Universal monster movies in general, making this new take even more exciting.
Scary Movie (TBA 2025)
I’m personally not a fan of most of the Scary Movie movies, but that’s exactly why this reboot or whatever the hell it intrigues me so much. What exactly does one of those mid-2000s overstuffed parody movies look like in 2024? I gotta know!
The Ritual (TBA 2025)
Listen to this Exorcist-ass logline: “Two priests — one questioning his faith and one reckoning with a troubled past — must put aside their differences to save a possessed young woman through a difficult and dangerous series of exorcisms.”
Obviously it’s a huge ripoff, but what if I told you this movie stars Al Pacino and Dan Stevens? Now what can that be? This is another outing for the morbidly curious, perhaps, but color me intrigued.
Final Destination: Bloodlines (TBA 2025)
Production on this Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein-helmed installment in the supernatural slasher franchise has wrapped, so this movie is happening, y’all. I say this as a stalwart defender of the fourth movie, so feel free to discount that one when I say that, pound for pound, the Final Destination is one of the most satisfying and consistent modern horror franchises, delivering thrills and spills to the point that you could throw a dart at a list of the five extant movies and have a good time with whichever gets chosen for you. Hopefully, this revival continues that trend.
Other horror movies slated to premiere in 2025 (many of which I’m also excited for, but this list ain’t a novel, so it had to stop somewhere): Heart Eyes (February 7), Vicious (February 28), Sinners (March 7), Untitled Insidious Movie (August 29), The Conjuring: Last Rites (September 5), The Black Phone 2 (October 17), Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (December 5), Hell House LLC: Lineage (TBA 2025), Thanksgiving 2 (TBA 2025), Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble(TBA 2025)
Movies
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Shudder in November 2024
Shudder knows the holiday season is hard, so they are coming out of the gates swinging. Who has time to fight with their family when there are days of new creepy content to watch this winter? Whether you are finishing the latest season of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, or checking out the five new Shudder Originals and Exclusives, that is just the tip of the iceberg for this beloved streamer. They are adding tons of throwback films, deep cuts, and international horror that I need in front of my eyeballs posthaste. Check out my top five picks below and know there is way more where they come from.
Shudder knows the holiday season is hard, so they are coming out of the gates swinging. Who has time to fight with their family when there are days of new creepy content to watch this winter? Whether you are finishing the latest season of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, or checking out the five new Shudder Originals and Exclusives, that is just the tip of the iceberg for this beloved streamer. They are adding tons of throwback films, deep cuts, and international horror that I need in front of my eyeballs posthaste. Check out my top five picks below and know there is way more where they come from.
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month
The Creep Tapes (Shudder Original Series)
The Creep Tapes will continue giving us glimpses into the mind of a serial killer who lures videographers to their doom with the promise of a paid job. Creep is one of the few found-footage franchises that I am obsessed with. Like many people, I had hoped Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice would give us another movie. So, I was pleasantly surprised they decided to make a series instead. Not only will we have the honor of seeing Duplass get weird weekly, but I also recently discovered that Josh Ruben will be in the building for at least one episode. My expectations are through the roof, but I think these weirdos (complimentary) will meet and surpass them.
You can watch The Creep Tapes starting on November 15th. New episodes will stream every Friday until the December 13th season finale.
Doc of Chucky (Shudder Original Film)
This Shudder Original is marketed as the ultimate account of the Child’s Play franchise. It charts the journey from humble beginnings to becoming the world’s most beloved killer doll. I am a Chucky stan account. So, I will run toward any documentary about Charles Lee Ray. However, this one is well-timed because Chucky was recently unjustly canceled after three killer seasons. Shudder is also adding all but the first film in the Child’s Play /Chucky franchise this month to mark the occasion. The streamer also has all three seasons of the show, which was the best horror series of the millennium. So, when we finish watching the documentary, we still have days of Chucky content in one place.
You can watch Doc of Chucky on November 1st.
Rita (Shudder Original Film)
13-year-old Rita flees a neglectful home and lands in a state-run orphanage. Her appearance gives the other girls hope as they believe it is a sign of a prophecy coming true, and they begin to plan their escape from their oppressive environment. This Shudder original is a fantasy film based on a tragic true story of brave orphans whose fight for survival led to a nationwide outcry for justice and reform. I expect to cry a lot while watching Rita. The holiday season is the appropriate time to do that, so the timing is immaculate. I also expect to fall into a research rabbit hole after watching because I am unfamiliar with this story.
You can watch Rita on November 22nd.
Tokyo Gore Police (2008)
A young woman in a privatized police force searched for her father’s killer while combating mutants. This movie came out in 2008, and I still have not seen it. So, I am grateful Shudder is allowing me to fix this oversight. It feels like Tokyo Gore Police will change my life and become my new personality. I am already rooting for this woman who is about to kick mutant ass in a futuristic Tokyo. Also, the fact that the trailer flags it as inappropriate and forces you to consent to watching it confirms this is about to be a moment. I cannot wait to check it out and stop being left out of the conversations.
You can watch Tokyo Gore Police on November 4th.
Tragedy Girls (2017)
Two death-obsessed teens decide to drum up content for their online show by murdering people and sending their small town into a frenzy. Tragedy Girls is one of the best horror comedies that has ever happened to me. What other movie has Alexandra Shipp, Brianna Hildebrand, Josh Hutcherson, Craig Robinson, Kevin Durand, and Jack Quaid on the cast list? I am still upset the rumored series fell through because I needed more time with the girls. This movie is one of the funniest, coolest, and most delightful slashers I have ever seen. It also holds a special place in my heart because I am forever begging for more Black girl slashers!
You can watch Tragedy Girls on November 4th.
Shoutout to Shudder for giving us a reason to be thankful this November! I plan to live on the streamer this month and soak up all the deadly fun. If my top five picks are not enough proof that you need to park it on the app, open Shudder and see the horrific wonderland for yourself.
12 Upcoming Horror Movies To Look Forward To In 2025
50 Years Later, ‘Black Christmas’ (1974) Is Just as Relevant and Frustrating as Ever
[REVIEW] The Skiing Slasher ‘Iced’ (1988) Provides Chills, If Not Thrills
‘Black Christmas’ (2019): More Hollow Feminism From Hollywood
The Creep Tapes: “Brad” (S1E4)
[Review] The Thrills and Kills of ‘Ils’ (2006)
The Creep Tapes: “Jeremy” (S1E3)
Why ‘Martyrs’ (2015) Is the Worst Horror Remake of All Time and Never Had a Chance
[REVIEW] My First Ever New French Extremity Film Was ‘Inside’ (2007)
The Creep Tapes: “Mike” & “Elliot” (S1E1&2)
‘The People Under the Stairs’ Review: A Brilliantly Bizarre Undercover Horror Classic
Glen and Glenda: Don Mancini’s Reverence for Queerness in ‘Seed of Chucky’ (2004)
Slappy Was the Blueprint: How the Dummy from Goosebumps Became A Horror Icon
Is ‘Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker’ Too Problematic for 2022?
‘Truth or Dare’: Who Did it Best?
Was This Film the Blueprint for Malignant? No, It’s Even Better Than That: A SPOILER-FREE Review of ‘Cherry Falls’
This Is What Makes Sue Ann from ‘Ma’ a Terrifying Yet Loveable Horror Villain
Mia from ‘Evil Dead’ – A New Kind of Final Girl
‘Midsommar’ (2019): Dani’s Divisive Development
