10 Best Giant Monster Movies

Here is a list of the 10 Best Giant Monster Movies. Several images in the history of cinema have been burned into the subconsciousness of moviegoers all over the world. Some images even transcend the fact that a person may not have actually seen the movie. For instance, a giant ape at the peak of the Empire State Building flailing its arms at a bunch of circling airplanes. Another image would be that of a giant fire-breathing lizard rampaging through Tokyo while its inhabitants run for their lives, screaming in Japanese. Let's face it, in the canon of celebrated film genres, giant monster movies may just be the most venerable. Transcending cultures and languages (I think it's a universal response to run when a huge creature is pummeling your city), these are the elite: 

1. "Godzilla" (1954). I mean "Gojira" to be precise, the original 1954 Japanese release, not the poorly redubbed American version with Raymond Burr inappropriately edited into the heavily butchered Japanese footage.
2. "King Kong" (1933). While I am tempted to include Peter Jackson's excellent remake, I have instead opted for the groundbreaking original out of respect. This is the king of monster movies whose influence has time and time again been cited by a whole generation of filmmakers, Jackson included. Face it, if this movie didn't exist, there would probably be no "Godzilla" or "Jurassic Park" or a host of other movies that took inspiration from it. On top of that, it's just a great film and a classic.
3. "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms." Not many people are aware of it, but this film actually arrived a year before "Godzilla." In any sense, you don't have to compare it because it stands on its own as one of the greatest giant monster movies ever created.
4. "Tremors." "Tremors" actually spawned an entire franchise of sorts, including sequels and even a television series, but the original will always be the best.
5. "It Came from Beneath the Sea."  It's  in the title. Arriving a year after "Godzilla," it rampaged into theaters with its giant tentacles and a hostile demeanour to attack San Francisco. Come on, it is a giant octopus that emerges from the ocean. Awesome doesn't even begin to describe it.
6. "Mothra vs. Godzilla."  Saturday afternoon--what a glorious period of carefree time and space with junk food and a cozy sofa. If you really want a therapeutic wind down from the week, then just pop this flick in, sit back, and revel as Godzilla takes on the legendary Mothra in a throwdown for the ages.
7. "King Kong vs. Godzilla." Add this flick to an at home Saturday matinee double bill and face it, you're in giant monster heaven. This is Godzilla taking on King Kong, two of the baddest monsters to have ever graced the screen. Do I have to say more?
8. "Tarantula." So we've had giant lizards, apes, and moths. A giant spider was just inevitable and the result is no letdown. Look out for a young Clint Eastwood as a jet pilot near the end.
9. "Jurassic Park." Instant classic. This film is a game changer with its stunning visual effects, a truly intelligent and sophisticated script from a novel by Michael Crichton, and direction courtesy of a Mr. Steven "Jaws" Spielberg. If you need more convincing, then please don't watch movies anymore because you no longer have the right.
10. "Cloverfield." So it might be blasphemous to include a movie released in the past five years, but to be honest, "Cloverfield" has actually brought a fresh take to the whole giant monster movie thing. You know what? It's actually pretty good.