Godzilla
A grieving Navy officer follows his father's investigation into a nuclear-plant disaster and becomes entangled in the awakening of ancient monsters, including humanity's uncertain ally Godzilla.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- ominous
- awe-struck
- dramatic
- blockbuster night
- science fiction marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film visually impressive and effective as a modern creature spectacle, while noting uneven human drama and pacing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Godzilla and the other giant creatures awaken from ancient origins and threaten human civilization across multiple locations.
The film delays and carefully stages full views of Godzilla and the other creatures, framing their appearances as major spectacle events.
The Janjira nuclear plant disaster and subsequent efforts to understand the awakened creatures establish failed containment as a central story engine.
The film repeatedly places Ford, military forces, cities, bridges, and coastlines against towering kaiju and large-scale destruction.
Films like Godzilla, and why
Pacific Rim
shared giant-monster spectacle, disaster-scale destruction, and human survival drama
Cloverfield
shared creature-feature tension, military response, and large-scale urban devastation
Jurassic World
shared science-fiction catastrophe, awe-inspiring monsters, and family-centered emotional stakes
Godzilla, King of the Monsters!
shared kaiju tradition, nuclear anxieties, and humanity confronting an ancient creature
Movie Details
- Director
- Gareth Edwards
- Release Date
- 2014-05-14
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (10040)
Cast
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson
- Elizabeth Olsen
- Juliette Binoche
- Bryan Cranston
- Ken Watanabe
- Sally Hawkins
- Al Sapienza
- David Strathairn
- James Pizzinato
- CJ Adams
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Godzilla about?
- A grieving Navy officer follows his father's investigation into a nuclear-plant disaster and becomes entangled in the awakening of ancient monsters, including humanity's uncertain ally Godzilla.
- What is Godzilla like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Godzilla as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Godzilla violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Godzilla as moderate.
- What did critics think of Godzilla?
- Critics broadly found the film visually impressive and effective as a modern creature spectacle, while noting uneven human drama and pacing.
- Which films are like Godzilla?
- Films with a similar feel include Pacific Rim, Cloverfield, Jurassic World, and Godzilla, King of the Monsters!.
- How long is Godzilla?
- Godzilla runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch Godzilla?
- In United States, Godzilla streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
