How The Godzilla Franchise Has Stood The Test Of Time

Every person has their preferences when it comes to what movie genres they enjoy. The great thing about the film industry today is that there is something for everyone. In the midst of such massive successes like superhero movies and the heartfelt plot points of a drama, there is one genre that stands out: The Monster Movie. Movie monsters have been around for a while and no matter how long it has been, the name Godzilla continues to be recognized in popular culture today.

The first Godzilla film came out in 1952. The Japanese Kaijū film was directed by Ishirō Honda. This film gave birth to a creature that awakes when an atomic bomb strikes. Godzilla is the poster boy for movie monsters in the past, present, and future of film. Even after so many years, the name Godzilla has never strayed from being in the spotlight. From what the franchise has contributed to film to how it just can’t seem to age, here is why the Godzilla franchise has stood the test of time.

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A Timeless Genre

     Toho  

The movie monster is a genre of film that never needs to change. It is cut and dry. There is nothing time-based embedded in the actual entertainment subject of the genre. In Godzilla, it doesn’t matter what the time frame/era it takes place. A big giant dinosaur terrorizing a town can take place at any time. The premise of the movie itself does not have a set timeframe. However, with that, Godzilla movies are utilized often to reflect world events when films come out. The first movie, for example, was made as a metaphor for the atomic bombing of Japan. The Godzilla franchise can be used as a tool to comment on/reflect the world around us in a way that is both entertaining and meaningful.

It Can Only Get Better

     Legendary Pictures  

Monster movies benefit over time. We all love the classics. The black-and-white visuals of the first Godzilla installments are permanently burned into our skulls. However, with the improvement of technology over the years, the way Godzilla is portrayed just gets more and more believable. Some may argue that it loses its charm, that the stop-motion and old visual effects make Godzilla what it is today. However, seeing what Godzilla could actually look like in the world we live in at the scale and level that the new movies have shown, the more the franchise takes its throne as one of the best movie monster franchises of all time.

A Classic Movie Icon

We know the big names in film. They are the kind of actors that can play roles in any movie and just because their names are attached to it, people will watch it. Well, Godzilla is kind of like that. Godzilla is a name that every person familiar with pop culture will recognize. The universal story of a giant dinosaur-like creature pulverizing a city is something that appeals to a vast audience. Godzilla is a famous creature, if not the most famous movie monster of our time. Since its on-screen debut in 1954, Godzilla has made a name for itself in this industry and will not be going anywhere, anytime soon.

Defined & Launched The Kaijū Film Genre

     Embassy Pictures   

Every great genre or style of film had to start from somewhere. Godzilla, the first movie and the franchise as a whole started off strong and can be credited with jumpstarting the Kaijū film genre. Kaijū is described as a Japanese style of entertainment that puts a spotlight on big monsters. Making an iconic movie and character is one thing. Launching a whole genre of film into pop culture relevancy? Another level.

Worldwide Success

     Warner Bros.  

The domestic success of the Godzilla franchise, as it originates in Japan, is already a testament to its legacy. However, when something as special as Godzilla is introduced to the world of film, international success and recognition are inevitable. In fact, we can see how much we all admire the Godzilla franchise in modern movie-making in America today! From 1998’s Godzilla directed by Roland Emmerich to Godzilla vs. Kong, a big-budget Hollywood movie starring Millie Bobby Brown and Alexander Skarsgård, the Godzilla franchise is still alive and well (as outlined by Screen Rant). At this point, people all over the world will flock to a theater just because the name Godzilla is attached to the project.