Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire has reignited fans' interest in the franchise. If you're wondering where to focus when revisiting older films, here's every Godzilla Era, ranked:
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How Many Godzilla Eras Are There?
Different websites and critics might rank Godzilla films in different ways, but most recognize six eras.
These are determined based on the period, country, and studio that produced each Godzilla film.
Originally, Godzilla films, a quintessential moment in the Kaiju genre, were produced in Japan only.
The first two eras, Showa and Heisei, are named after the equivalent time periods in Japan, based on the reigning emperor at the time.
TriStar refers to a standalone 1998 Godzilla film, the first not to be produced by a Japanese studio.
The Millennium era marks a new era of 21st-century Godzilla films, while the Reiwa era refers to Japanese Godzilla films from May 2019 onwards, following Emperor Akihito's abdication and Naruhito's ascension.
Finally, MonsterVerse refers to the new generation of Hollywood-produced Godzilla films since 2014.
Every Godzilla Era, Ranked From Worst to Best
Fans' opinions about the best Godzilla era vary, and even controversial periods might contain hidden gems. However, some eras are considered better than others.
6)TriStar Era
The TriStar Era is the most contested in the franchise.
GODZILLA (1998, stylized with capitals) was generally disliked by fans of Kaiju films as it departed from the existing lore.
This is the shortest period in the franchise due to a lack of engagement.
5)Millennium Era
The Millennium Era of Godzilla is a mixed bag containing some of the best and worst films in the franchise, according to fans.
Due to this variation in quality, other eras are more popular today.
4)Reiwa Era
Many fans love some of the Reiwa Era films, that is, the post-2019 Godzilla movies produced in Japan.
Others believe that the new-gen Godzilla stories fail to stand out compared to the earlier ones, which revolutionized the kaiju genre.
The mixed opinions about pacing and characterization might motivate newcomers to turn to more classic eras.
3)MonsterVerse Era
Love it or hate it, the MonsterVerse era brought Godzilla to a new generation of fans worldwide.
It's a bit early to tell if it'll stand the test of time, but, right now, it's the hottest set of Godzilla movies to its newest addition; Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
2)Showa Era
The first Godzilla era cannot be underestimated. It introduces some of the best characters in the franchise, and, at its time, it did something amazing with the Kaiju genre.
While some of the movies can seem a bit campy to modern fans, their contribution to the franchise is still notable.
1)Heisei Era
While all Godzilla periods have their ups and downs, fans generally agree that Heisei Era is the best the franchise has to offer.
Most movies from this period are remarkable for their characterization and for making successful changes that worked long-term.
What is your favorite Godzilla era? Let us know in the comments!
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