Wait, there's more than one Godzilla?! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the strongest versions of Godzilla across media. Beware of minor spoilers ahead.
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00:00 [Music]
00:07 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the strongest versions of Godzilla across media.
00:14 Beware of minor spoilers ahead.
00:16 [Music]
00:21 Number 10. Shin Godzilla.
00:25 [Music]
00:29 This variant of the Kaiju is certainly impressive, at least on the surface.
00:34 It helps that this G-Man had the ability to evolve over time.
00:38 As a result, it grew in size, stature, and power throughout the story.
00:42 By the end of Shin Godzilla, the monster's atomic breath is awe-inspiring, and its destructive capabilities more than menacing.
00:49 [Music]
00:58 However, the fact that Shin Godzilla seems to require frequent rest periods makes him a little less intimidating than others.
01:05 We also haven't seen this Kaiju go up against any big beasts.
01:09 While facing the Japanese Self-Defense Forces is no walk in the park,
01:13 we'd like to see this Shin Godzilla in more stories to see what it's really capable of.
01:18 [Music]
01:26 Number 9. Hanna-Barbera's version. Godzilla.
01:29 "Godzilla, are we glad to see you!"
01:32 [Growling]
01:35 We know what you guys may be thinking.
01:37 How seriously can we possibly take a version of the Kaiju that was created for kids in the late '70s?
01:43 Well, before you discount him, allow us to give you his resume.
01:47 "Godzilla can do anything!"
01:49 [Grunting]
01:51 This old-school and hands-drawn Godzilla had all the powers and strengths you'd expect from the character.
01:57 What makes it more impressive was the fact that it was constantly forced to face off against towering enemies.
02:03 These included the magnetic monster, which clocked in at over 400 feet tall.
02:08 As a result, the Hanna-Barbera Godzilla has a time-tested mettle,
02:12 as well as a stature that dwarfs the Showa and Millennium variants.
02:17 In short, you shouldn't underestimate this kid-friendly Kaiju.
02:21 "That was pretty smart of Godzilla. He used salt water to short-circuit the Colossus."
02:26 [Growling]
02:29 Number 8. Millennium Godzilla. The Millennium series.
02:33 [Growling]
02:35 [Gunfire]
02:40 While this iteration of the Big G may not be the biggest one ever seen,
02:43 it definitely arrived armed with serious perks.
02:47 Millennium Godzilla left behind the comical goofiness of the Showa movies
02:51 and built more upon the strength showcased throughout the Heisei era of films.
02:56 This version of the Kaiju was smarter and more adaptable in combat.
03:00 [Growling]
03:03 [Tires screeching]
03:04 [Gunfire]
03:08 At times, it even utilized subterfuge to destroy its enemies.
03:12 In films such as Godzilla 2000, the Kaiju goads a monster into absorbing it,
03:17 but when Godzilla gets in the right position, it blasts its foe away.
03:22 It's pretty scary to face off against a version of Kaiju with both tactical skills and divine destruction powers.
03:28 [Speaking Japanese]
03:33 [Explosion]
03:40 Number 7. Minus Godzilla. Godzilla Minus One.
03:44 [Growling]
03:46 [Speaking Japanese]
03:49 [Growling]
03:52 This bulky version of the Kaiju seems to cause pretty standard monster mayhem at first.
03:57 It picks up trains with its teeth, devastates boats, and effortlessly levels cities.
04:03 However, Minus Godzilla has two distinctive features that make it especially dangerous.
04:07 This version of the Kaiju has incredible regenerative abilities.
04:11 [Speaking Japanese]
04:15 [Gunfire]
04:19 Even if you manage to find a weapon that can somehow injure it,
04:22 this Minus Godzilla is guaranteed to come back for another round.
04:26 Its impressive healing is accompanied by its ability to fire an atomic blast that rivals nuclear bombs.
04:32 Since it does take a fair amount of time to charge up, it might lag a little behind its speedier variants.
04:38 But make no mistake, Minus Godzilla won't hesitate to erase everything it sees.
04:43 [Speaking Japanese]
04:47 Number 6. Burning Godzilla. Godzilla vs. Destroyah.
04:51 Apparently, something is happening there, in the reactor, in Godzilla's heart.
04:57 Ahead of this landmark film, it was announced that the Kaiju would meet his end.
05:01 But few could have expected how his impending doom could have increased his power.
05:06 During 1995's Godzilla vs. Destroyah, we meet Burning Godzilla.
05:11 This version of the creature was dying due to the fact that a nuclear meltdown was happening within its own body.
05:17 While this condition does prove fatal, he gains serious power, too.
05:21 [Gunfire]
05:29 Burning Godzilla has access to a spiral heat ray that is absolutely terrifying.
05:34 He can also emit nuclear waves and regenerate from serious blows.
05:39 Additionally, Burning Godzilla's actions are more frantic due to the fear and stress of his impending death.
05:45 Its abilities and emotional turmoil make it one dangerous Kaiju.
05:50 [Gunfire]
05:57 Number 5. IDW Godzilla. IDW Comics.
06:01 Like many other popular characters, this creature's origins and adventures have been expanded upon in other forms of media.
06:08 [Speaking Japanese]
06:13 The IDW Comics built around Godzilla happened to construct a G-Man that had a seriously impressive resume.
06:20 This iteration of Godzilla shakes the ground, ignores damage, and can defeat nearly any monster that comes his way.
06:27 [Gunfire]
06:33 The IDW Comics Godzilla also possesses abilities like a nuclear pulse.
06:38 On top of that, its fusion mode gives it powers and strength on par with Burning Godzilla itself.
06:45 The fact that the IDW version can do what another variant can only do while dying is seriously badass.
06:53 This Godzilla definitely rules the written page.
06:56 [Gunfire]
06:59 [Speaking Japanese]
07:01 Number 4. Marvel Comics Godzilla. Godzilla.
07:05 The Marvel Comics iteration of the Kaiju is another expanded universe take that's insanely powerful.
07:11 [Gunfire]
07:18 How powerful, you may ask?
07:20 Well, how about powerful enough to take on heavyweights like the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, and the Avengers?
07:26 [Gunfire]
07:32 Marvel Godzilla is so overpowered that Mr. Fantastic shrinks the beast down and sends him through time to be safe.
07:39 This Godzilla stares down superheroes like Thor and the Incredible Hulk without fear.
07:44 To be fair, it seems as if nothing can overcome G's attack ability and defense.
07:49 [Gunfire]
07:56 I am Vision.
07:57 Nothing that is, except for a young man named Robert Takeguchi.
08:01 He sends Godzilla away via... well, by just asking him nicely, believe it or not.
08:06 It's good to see that this incredibly powerful Kaiju respects politeness.
08:11 Number 3. Legendary Godzilla. The MonsterVerse franchise.
08:15 Whatever Serizawa did to Godzilla worked a little too well, because he's about to explode like an atom bomb.
08:21 Roger that. Prepare for landing.
08:23 It had been a while since America had nearly ruined the reputation of an iconic character with a disastrous 1998 edition.
08:31 Fortunately, the MonsterVerse version of Godzilla fixed the mistakes of the past, and then some.
08:36 This legendary variant is one of the largest and beefiest Godzillas in the character's history.
08:42 His demeanor is also more animalistic and feral than usual in these films.
08:47 Jesus. Good thing he's on our side.
08:51 For now.
08:52 Godzilla's atomic breath, tremendous strength, and ability to supercharge with radiation helps him hunt.
08:59 He's also bested multiple big bad Kaijus.
09:02 Most notably, he was able to conquer Kong in a one-on-one.
09:06 Once we saw this Godzilla unseat a fellow royal, we knew we were dealing with a whole new beast.
09:12 Number 2. Final Wars Godzilla. Godzilla Final Wars.
09:21 Listen, kid. There are two things you don't know about the Earth.
09:25 One is me, and the other is Godzilla.
09:29 The world of professional wrestling has a term for when performers react to an opponent's maneuver as if it had no effect.
09:36 This term is "no selling", and the Kaiju from Godzilla Final Wars is an expert at this sort of behavior.
09:43 During the Final Wars film, literally everything except the kitchen sink is thrown at Godzilla without any effect.
09:50 Godzilla. The most destructive weapon on Earth.
09:54 Virtually every foe from the past is set against the creature.
09:57 However, Final Wars Godzilla is so sturdy and resilient that they all barely register as obstacles.
10:04 Such is the sturdiness of this absolute beast.
10:08 Opponents like Anguirus and King Caesar get tossed aside like trash.
10:13 Even King Ghidorah and Gigan never feel like true threats to this ridiculously overpowered and seemingly unstoppable Godzilla.
10:22 [Explosion]
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10:44 Number 1. Godzilla Earth. Godzilla Planet of Monsters Trilogy.
10:50 [Speaking Japanese]
11:02 Here's a question. What happens when a monster is too resilient, aggressive, and unpredictable to touch?
11:09 If you're humanity in this series, you abandon your home planet completely and leave it all to Godzilla Earth.
11:15 This god-like being is overpowered to the nth degree.
11:19 Furthermore, he only continues to evolve after the planet is abandoned.
11:23 [Speaking Japanese]
11:26 The monster's famous atomic breath turns into a beam capable of intergalactic destruction.
11:32 Godzilla's size also reaches over a thousand feet.
11:35 And when it comes to his appetite for destruction, he's always hungry.
11:39 Godzilla Earth is a creature that rightfully fears nothing.
11:43 Even the most powerful of monsters and weapons feel inadequate.
11:46 As a result, he's firmly established himself as an apex Godzilla.
11:51 [Explosion]
11:58 [Speaking Japanese]
12:02 What's your all-time favorite version of the G-Man? Let us know in the comments.
12:07 Oh, God.
12:08 [G-Man Roaring]
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12:23 [Outro Music]