Rodan
A prehistoric flying titan erupts from a Japanese mine and challenges humanity with supersonic terror and tragic grandeur.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- ominous
- propulsive
- awe-struck
- classic monster movie night
- kaiju marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Rodan as an enjoyable but routine kaiju film whose earnest wonder, monster spectacle, and sympathetic creature treatment outweigh its unevenness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film uses Japanese special-effects conventions to stage Rodan's aerial attacks and large-scale destruction.
Giant prehistoric insects emerge from the mine before Rodan awakens and spreads terror across Japan.
Critical commentary highlights compassion for the behemoths rather than presenting them as purely malicious villains.
Rodan's supersonic flight and attacks transform villages and Japanese cities into sites of spectacular destruction.
Films like Rodan, and why
Godzilla
shared tokusatsu spectacle, giant monster destruction, postwar Japanese science fiction, and awe-struck creature menace
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
shared prehistoric creature premise, monster horror, miniature effects, and mid-century science fiction adventure
Mothra
shared kaiju spectacle, aerial destruction, creature-driven suspense, and classic Japanese science fiction
Gamera, the Giant Monster
shared giant monster thrills, scientific investigation, urban devastation, and earnest mid-century genre tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Ishirō Honda
- Release Date
- 1956-12-26
- Runtime
- 72 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (197)
Cast
- Kenji Sahara
- Yumi Shirakawa
- Akihiko Hirata
- Minosuke Yamada
- Yoshibumi Tajima
- Akio Kobori
- Mitsuo Tsuda
- Ren Imaizumi
- Jun'ichirō Mukai
- Rinsaku Ogata
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Rodan about?
- A prehistoric flying titan erupts from a Japanese mine and challenges humanity with supersonic terror and tragic grandeur.
- What is Rodan like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Rodan as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Rodan violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Rodan as moderate.
- What did critics think of Rodan?
- Critics broadly regard Rodan as an enjoyable but routine kaiju film whose earnest wonder, monster spectacle, and sympathetic creature treatment outweigh its unevenness.
- Which films are like Rodan?
- Films with a similar feel include Godzilla, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Mothra, and Gamera, the Giant Monster.
- How long is Rodan?
- Rodan runs 72 minutes.
- Where can I watch Rodan?
- In United States, Rodan streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, HBO Max, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
