Godzilla (1954): cast, story & where to watch

1954 · Film · ★ 7.6

Godzilla poster

Released in 1954, Godzilla is a thriller, horror and science fiction film directed by Ishirō Honda, running about 96 minutes. “Godzilla, a weapon of science, a great battle of wonder and terror!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Japan is thrown into a panic after several ships are sunk near Odo Island. An expedition to the island led by Dr. Yemani soon discover something far more devastating than imagined in the form of a 50 meter tall monster whom the natives call Gojira. Now the monster begins a rampage that threatens to destroy not only Japan, but the rest of the world as well.

Who’s in it. Godzilla stars Akira Takarada as Hideto Ogata, Momoko Kôchi as Emiko Yamane, Akihiko Hirata as Daisuke Serizawa and Takashi Shimura as Kyohei Yamane, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.6/10, Godzilla has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $2.3M at the box office.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel and Cinemax Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Godzilla page.

If you liked it. Fans of Godzilla tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.

Frequently asked

Where can I watch Godzilla (1954)?
In US, Godzilla is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV and Criterion Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
Is Godzilla worth watching?
Godzilla holds an audience score of 7.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, horror and science fiction. Most viewers rate it highly.
Who stars in Godzilla?
Godzilla stars Akira Takarada, Momoko Kôchi, Akihiko Hirata, Takashi Shimura and Fuyuki Murakami.
When was Godzilla released?
Godzilla was released in 1954, with a runtime of about 96 minutes.