(Part 2) Best products from r/GODZILLA

You can get the Japanese version (released in 1984) on Blu-Ray from Amazon. It's kind of expensive, but well worth it.

Everything is in Japanese, including the menus, and there are no English subtitles. Even so, it's still a great movie, and if you've seen 1985 countless times like I have, you'll get the gist of the story. It's especially fun to watch the absence of the hokey scenes the American version has inserted (like the product placement, a glowing Dr. Pepper machine), as well as some scenes that were cut for propaganda purposes.

Although I haven't tried this, some members of the subreddit suggested downloading an English script of the Japanese version, and following along. I may do that some day, but in the mean time just watching in Japanese was fun.

I will say this: I always thought, even as an adult, that the sets, suit, and special effects of 1985 were great; however, I soon discovered that watching a VHS tape on an old 27" TV is nowhere near watching a Blu-Ray on an HD-equipped 48" TV. That's when it really looked like a rubber suit stomping on a model set.

I've never seen the original Japanese version... of the 2 which do you prefer? I've read a bit of you and Capt's comments and I take it the American version (while still bad) is the more watchable one?

I own Synergy's bare-bones "made to order" DVD, evidently they have the rights to distribution, but only stamp and print the DVD on the spot whenever they get an order, rather than spend their money having any kind of inventory in stock... I don't know how true this is, the package has a cheap bootleg quality, but I've read it's legit.

Anyways, I remember watching it and only half-assed paying attention to it until it got to the end... afterwards I remember thinking "damn, that was actually pretty good" and went back and really enjoyed the experience.

I'm curious to see if the Japanese version is better... 9 times outta 10 I find the Japanese originals are better. IMO Gojira is superior to KotM, KK vs G, Raids Again, etc.

Amazon all the way. With the exception of 2014. I got that on Black Friday at Best Buy for $4. Just be on a look out for the [Kraken blu-rays] (https://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-Vs-Gigan-Blu-ray/dp/B00I462XLG/ref=pd_sim_74_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Q4NXP3Z44W4ZJK6AP4P4) and [The Toho Godzilla Movies Collection blu-rays] (https://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-Vs-King-Ghidorah-Mothra/dp/B00IQAUO2A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481679727&sr=8-1&keywords=godzilla+vs+king+ghidorah+blu+ray). The prices seem to jump to higher and lower over time. It's very inconsistent, so I just checked every other day to get the best deals. Lowest they normally around for is little over $7.

For [The Godzilla Collection] (https://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-Collection-Vol-Yuriko-Hoshi/dp/B000VXWK86/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1481679933&sr=1-1&keywords=the+godzilla+collection) I got it used at half price, BUT IT'S ON SALE RIGHT NOW FOR PRIME USERS, SO PICK IT UP.

Godzilla 1998 and 2014 are always cheap. Even without the Black Friday deal, it's still cheap on Amazon.

Godzilla vs. Biollante is tricky. There are multiple sources on Amazon. Make sure you get it from [this one] (https://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-Biollante-Blu-ray-Koji-Takahashi/dp/B00LVZK1LG/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1481680064&sr=1-1&keywords=godzilla+vs+biollante+blu+ray). Cheap as hell.

Then there's Son of Godzilla and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla. These two are extremely hard to come by, but the way I see it, here are your options:

1. Pay for the official Japanes blu-rays (expensive)
   
2. Pay for the official American distributed DVD's (expensive)
   
3. Bootlegs, which is what I went with. Either get it from sumogorilla.com or showavideo.com. I went with sumogorilla, but what you should know is that only DVD's are sold here and they are all in Japanese dub with English subtitles. But from what I hear, showavideo has blu-rays with better quality, however, they cost a little bit more and in order to even view the website, you need to be a member. Sign-up is free, but you can only do so on the last day of a month and the first day of a month. Both websites are reliable.
   
   Last but not least is King Kong vs. Godzilla. Now you can get the official blu-ray on Amazon for a cheap price, but mind you, this doesn't have the Japanese dub, only the English dub. It is for this reason that I purchased it from sumogorilla, seeing as I only intend to watch them in Japanese.
   
   Well, there you have it. Hopefully this will help you on your journey in collecting every Godzilla movie out there. But I'm sure there are other methods of doing so as well, so keep an eye out for any tips and information! As time passes, the prices and sources will as well. But this is how I collected the films.
   
   Good luck!
   
   
   EDIT: Typing error.

Do you have a price range? Figures are nice because they are cool to place in your room and it is more fun to receive than a movie, poster, shirt, etc. The NECA brand figure for the new movie is pretty sweet. If you search NECA Pacific Rim, they have some awesome figures from that movie, too. Most Godzilla fans like Pacific Rim. The chibi sets are awesome as well. I have them in front of my computer. This graphic novel is really amazing, and I would even recommend it to non-Godzilla fans.

Here is "A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series" by David Kalat. It's a good read that may help out a bit with you research.

As for my personal thoughts? Godzilla is a character which can be applied to a variety of metaphorical situations in which Humans are shown not to be as in control of their environment as they'd like to believe. It lends itself well to films on the human condition. People love stories about the weird, unusual, and monstrous, while also subtly analyzing the inherit complexities of what is means to live in conjunction with our environment. As such, Godzilla films have the ability to tick those boxes. People love to watch monsters fight eachother. It gives them the adrenaline rush and allows them to feel like something bigger than themselves is on their side. So that box also gets ticked pretty frequently.

If you want the best picture quality, absolutely go for Blu-ray. If DVD is good enough for you, then by all means go for it -- it's generally cheaper anyway. Some films are available in multi-format combo packs; if you're fine with DVD for now but might switch to Blu later, then it might make sense to grab those.

The rights are definitely all over the place. Here's a handy breakdown of who owns what. Those Blu-ray double features (plus Godzilla 2000) cover the Toho-produced films from the '90s and '00s.

Criterion has released an excellent DVD and Blu-ray of the original Godzilla from 1954, which is an absolute must. Other than that, as far as we know, they currently own and are apparently working on discs of the rest of the Showa Godzilla series except for King Kong vs. Godzilla, Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster, Godzilla vs. Hedorah, and Godzilla vs. Gigan. (They also own Rodan and War of the Gargantuas; no word on whether those specifically will be released on disc.) We don't yet have release dates or official announcements for any of these films, and I personally wouldn't expect to hear anything before February, which is when their May 2019 releases will be announced.

If you just want to see as many of the films as possible and worry about the best available release of a given film later, here's a shopping list:

• Classic Media's Godzilla Collection box set. A good chunk of the Showa series in Japanese with subs and dubbed. OOP, but can probably be found cheaper than all the individual releases.
  
• Both volumes of Sony's Toho Godzilla Collection. Covers the '90s-'00s Japanese films, plus Rebirth of Mothra I and II. Note that these are reissues of older discs, so some are dub-only and/or pan and scan.
  
• Godzilla Stomp Box, containing Godzilla vs. Megalon and Destroy All Monsters.
  
• King Kong vs. Godzilla, Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster, Godzilla vs. Hedorah, Godzilla vs. Gigan, The Return of Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Biollante (OOP), the 1998 and 2014 American films, and Shin Godzilla are all available in standalone releases.
  
• The anime films are on Netflix. No word on whether these will get physical releases.
  
  Of course, aside from physical media, there are always streaming options of varying legality as well as bootleg discs, but I doubt the mods would take too kindly to my posting specifics about those here.
  
  Hope this helps!

As someone from the UK, I have also been keeping an eye out for a possible release of Shin Godzilla and home media options. Here's what I've found.

The Japanese release you mentioned does indeed contain a solid selection of extras, but lacks subtitles. The future release from Funimation in America won't contain much in the way of extras, but will feature an English dub. Both of these releases are likely to be region locked - region 2 for Japanese DVD (same as Europe), region 1 for American DVD, region A for both Japanese and American Blu-Ray. Unless you have a multi-region player, this might not be the best option.

Amazon Germany is now taking pre-orders for Shin Godzilla on Blu-Ray, both as a standard release and as a steelbook (link below) in August. This release will come with subtitles in German and Dutch, and a German dub. I don't speak or read German, but the listing does not seem to list any special features. https://www.amazon.de/Shin-Godzilla-Steelbook-Hiroki-Hasegawa/dp/B072BQ6192/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498117518&sr=8-2&keywords=shin+godzilla

Madman Australia is releasing the film on DVD and Blu-Ray in July. The release does not include an English dub (just Japanese audio with English subs), but it does include some bonus features: Theatrical Trailers, Pre-Visuals & Outtakes, Visual Effects Breakdown, and Pre-Visuals Reel. The Blu-Ray release will be region B, the same as Europe (DVD is region 4), and the cost with delivery to Europe/UK is about 30 Euros / £25. https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/39478/shin-godzilla-bluray

Hope this helps!

Awesome! Almost identical to my collection, even with Sumogorillas! I have the American King Kong vs Godzilla, and I wish I had the 2014 version in Blu-Ray. I also haven't seen Gamera.

I recommend getting these to help fill in the Mothra & Rodan gaps!

https://www.amazon.com/Rodan-War-Gargantuas-Various/dp/B001AR0D40/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1481641372&sr=1-1&keywords=rodan

https://www.amazon.com/Icons-Sci-Fi-Collection-Battle-Mothra/dp/B0024FAG2G/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1481641672&sr=1-3&keywords=mothra

Japan's Favorite Mon-star: The Unauthorized Biography Of The Big G by Steve Ryfle is pretty cool...

https://www.amazon.com/Japans-Favorite-Mon-Star-Unauthorized-Biography/dp/1550223488

_


.... as is Godzilla On My Mind: 50 Years Of The King Of The Monsters by Bill Tsutsui...

https://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-My-Mind-Fifty-Monsters/dp/1403964742/ref=pd_sim_14_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1403964742&pd_rd_r=12MR6XSMJ9RTAF3CE25C&pd_rd_w=VZHzS&pd_rd_wg=673M5&psc=1&refRID=12MR6XSMJ9RTAF3CE25C

_____

.... and The Official Godzilla Compendium: A 40-Year Retrospective by J.D. Lees is good too...

https://www.amazon.com/Official-Godzilla-Compendium-Year-Retrospective/dp/0679888225/ref=pd_sbs_14_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0679888225&pd_rd_r=118AW1FHBJ2G680A6E1X&pd_rd_w=vmfmJ&pd_rd_wg=ldZQY&psc=1&refRID=118AW1FHBJ2G680A6E1X

Yeah, super cheap! /s

Here's what some other copies go for, haha.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0679891250/ref=tmm_pap_new_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=&sr=

I think as of right now the Target edition is the best bet, as it seems to have all the special features. I did a quick search on Amazon and came up with this baby. I hope this helps!

English version of king kong vs godzilla has been out..its actully good quality too https://www.amazon.com/King-Kong-vs-Godzilla-Blu-ray/dp/B00I3C1T6G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473901738&sr=8-1&keywords=king+kong+vs+godzilla+blu


Id love to see Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla on blu ray

These are the current American blu-ray releases and their links to Amazon:

Godzilla

King Kong vs. Godzilla

Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster

Destroy All Monsters

Godzilla Vs. Hedorah

Godzilla Vs. Gigan

Godzilla Vs. Megalon

Godzilla 1984

Godzilla Vs. Biollante

Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah / Godzilla Vs. Mothra

Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla II / Godzilla Vs. Spacegodzilla

Godzilla Vs. Destoroyah / Godzilla Vs. Megaguirus

Godzilla 2000

GMK / Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla

Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. / Godzilla: Final Wars

Shin Godzilla

The rest of the films are available on DVD, though some are out of print and are pretty expensive and hard to find.

Here’s hoping for that Criterion box set soon!

The original: https://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-Sound-Effects-Ifukube-Toho/dp/B00CJ1SA14/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Sound+effect+of+Godzilla&qid=1562254502&s=gateway&sr=8-1

And just for fun the second album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaAgFtfal9U

(Yes they made a second one)

There's the Godzilla: With Lights and Sound book for the new movie.

Godzilla vs Gigan and the Smog Monster picture book, obviously used is much cheaper.

[Godzilla on Monster Island] (http://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-Monster-Island-Pictureback-R/dp/0679880801/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412126648&sr=1-10&keywords=godzilla), Godzilla Likes to Roar, and Who's Afraid of Godzilla and great but pricey even used.

And I'm not sure of the reading level of your child but there are the Scott Ciencin books.

• Godzilla: King of the Monsters
  
• Godzilla Invades America
  
• Godzilla vs the Space Monsters
  
• Godzilla: Journey to Monster Island
  
  And there's the more advanced series by Marc Cerasini:
  
  
• Godzilla Returns
  
• Godzilla 2000
  
• Godzilla at World's End
  
• Godzilla vs the Robot Monsters
  
  

Marvel's run in 78-79 is pretty good crossover , here another https://www.amazon.co.uk/Godzilla-Monster-Island-Random-Pictureback/dp/0679880801

https://www.amazon.com/Ishiro-Honda-Life-Godzilla-Kurosawa-ebook/dp/B0788KLDK9/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1538082752&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.com/Eiji-Tsuburaya-Monsters-Defending-Ultraman/dp/1452135398/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1538082718&sr=1-4

https://www.amazon.com/Critical-History-Filmography-Tohos-Godzilla/dp/1476672946/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1538082718&sr=1-10

https://www.amazon.com/Japans-Favorite-Mon-Star-Unauthorized-Biography/dp/1550223488/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1538082734&sr=1-2

These are basically the best books on the series that are easily available, although the Tsuburaya book is really about the effects. As for the 3 films that really capture the original theme of the series, I'd say the original, Mothra vs Godzilla, and GMK are the ones that really hold the most important messages. All three of these were made by pacifist directors who renounce war and the actions of imperial Japan. The original Godzilla is an anti-war film, period. Mothra vs Godzilla is about harmony between nations. GMK is about keeping the past military actions in mind, in a modern Japan which is whitewashing it's war crimes out of history. Some people might say Godzilla 1984 and Shin Godzilla carry similar messages, but 1984 is more about the height of the cold war and Japan's place in it while Shin is about the need for a stronger, fast-acting independent government. Similar themes, but they're not really tied to the original as much as Mothra vs Godzilla or GMK.

Amazon sells them in bulk for a fairly good price.

Here you go:

https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Organic-Bananas-Approximately-Bunch/dp/B00ZVIWWB6

​

Yes, there are supposed to be English subs, though I haven't thrown it in the Blu-Ray player yet. I've been on a Doctor Who marathon.

Edit: Here is the Amazon page. It's a bit pricey, but I think it was worth it. I bought mine from the seller "EXPORT JAPAN"

Comparing the two is like one got Godzilla 2014 in their blu ray case while we got Zilla 98.

I mean I bought/preordered this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L8FC1QM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Am I happy about it? Not in the slightest but I'm a Godzilla sheep.

Favorite monster aside from the big G. If y'all haven't seen the original Rodan there's a great double feature with War of the Gargantuas on DVD. It also has a solid documentary on the making of Godzilla films. Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/Rodan-War-Gargantuas-Various/dp/B001AR0D40

Pre-ordered the steelbook for 27 euro, hope it drops abit til release
german link

Release date is September 13, 2016.

Here's a link for the non-bluray

Thanks to u/Chris_TK for the info on this post a couple days ago.

If you're looking to read some decent adult Godzilla books check out Marc Cerasini's 4 book series. My favorites are the first two, Godzilla Returns and Godzilla 2000.

The audio hiccups, the acceleration and deceleration of the video alongside the aspect ratio really makes this not worth watching, honestly. You'd be better off just spending the $8 it costs to buy the blu ray on Amazon ($5 on DVD) than watching this version of it.

Godzilla 1984 and Godzilla vs Biollante are available with subtitles on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01FZ8I7R4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484464212&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=godzilla+1984&dpPl=1&dpID=61YQi3DoKEL&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00LVZK1LG/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I found it on Amazon Here

Its $75 on amazon currently

https://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-Biollante-Blu-ray-Yoshiko-Tanaka/dp/B00LVZK1LG/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1536852926&sr=8-1

Consider getting the new Godzilla and Muto versions? Flying Muto, Regular Muto

Found MG1, King Ghidorah, MG2, and Destroyah

This took literally ten seconds.

[does anyone know if the blu ray release includes the dubbed version?] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071S71D4N/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1)

https://www.amazon.com/Return-Godzilla-Blu-ray-Koji-Hashimoto/dp/B01FZ8I7R4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524512330&sr=8-1&keywords=godzilla+1984

We got a metalpak

It's out now.

Sorry bud, but you gotta buy. here: https://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-vs-Sea-Monster-Ebirah/dp/B00I462XGG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480182948&sr=8-1&keywords=godzilla+vs+the+sea+monster

Thank's everyone who responded when I initially asked this question! I was hoping there would be a big giant Blu-ray box set of all the classics, but of course such a thing doesn't exist, not does a Blu-ray set for all three classic eras in their entirety.

But here's what I did find, and it's far more affordable than I initially feared! "Affordable" is a subjective term of course, and I'm excluding the outlier that is Godzilla Vs. Biollante...


The entire Showa era will be released by Criterion in October of this year (thanks warghuul for revealing this to me!)

• GODZILLA: The Showa Era Films - The Criterion Collection - Releases October 29th, 2019
  
  The Heisei era does not appear to have a box set as far as I can tell, but (nearly) every film is available on Blu-ray individually or in two-packs as part of the Toho Collection.
  
  
• The Return of Godzilla
  
• Godzilla Vs. Biollante - This one for some reason is NOT affordable at this time, all the DVD and Blu-ray release of this are over $100 each
  
• Godzilla Vs. King Ghidora/ Godzilla Vs. Mothra 2-Pack
  
• Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla II/Godzilla Vs. Spacegodzilla 2-Pack
  
• Godzilla Vs. Destroyah/ Godzilla Vs. Megaguirus 2-Pack - Not sure why there are packaged together, Vs. Destroyah is the final film of Heisei, and Vs. Megaguirus is the SECOND film of Millenium Era...
  
  The Millennium era also lacks a boxed set but continues the Toho Collection releases.
  
  
• Godzilla 2000
  
• Godzilla Vs. Megaguirus - Released as part of the 2-Pack with Godzilla Vs. Destroyah
  
• Godzilla: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack/ Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla 2-Pack
  
• Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S./ Godzilla: Final Wars 2-Pack

Any of the 1970s era Godzilla film are specifically made for a children as the primary audience.

I would start with earlier stuff, to be honest. I know one user is suggesting Final Wars, but that movie is PG-13 for a reason, and it's actually devoid of monster action despite the large monster cast. It's a film that he might like when he's 10 and older and can appreciate kung-fu movies.

Here's the entire franchise, I'll bold ones that are worth looking at and post links:

• Godzilla (1954)<br />

• Godzilla Raids Again (1955)
  
• King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
  
• Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)
  
• Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964)
  
• Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)
  
• Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966)
  
• Son of Godzilla (1967)
  
• Destroy All Monsters (1968)
  
• All Monsters Attack (1969)
  
• Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971)
  
• Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972)
  
• Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)
  
• Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)
  
• Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975)
  
• The Return of Godzilla (1984)
  
• Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)
  
• Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)
  
• Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
  
• Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993)
  
• Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994)
  
• Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995)
  
• Godzilla (1998)
  
• Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999)
  
• Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000)
  
• Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001)
  
• Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002)
  
• Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)
  
• Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)
  
• Godzilla (2014)
  
• Shin Godzilla (2016)