GODZILLA (1954-1975)

From a terrifying force of nature representing the horrors of war, to a parental figure primed for blockbuster kaiju team-ups, Godzilla's role varied with each new Show era incarnation.

1954's Godzilla emerged as a massive, 50-meter-tall monster with craggy dorsal fins from neck to tail. Never before had movie-goers beheld a monster of this magnitude, and when Godzilla breathed its horrifying heat ray to set Tokyo ablaze, cinema was changed forever.

But Godzilla’s features would continue to shift. While Godzilla’s eyes grew, its iconic tail, teeth, claws, and dorsal fins were toned down through the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Godzilla’s motives would also evolve. In early films, Godzilla tended to tussle with any kaiju that happened to be in the way. But by 1964’s Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, Godzilla was willing to work with others to defend Earth.