(Credits: Toho)

For many of us, Godzilla is not just another monster who is on its path to destruction. It’s better to call it a mood, because it is. If you look at it, the fanbase of Godzilla movies is so big that it is an unsaid genre in its own.

Over the decades, the King of the Monsters has stomped through countless versions, reboots, reimaginings, you name it, and each one is better than the previous. Japanese films are known for their great visuals but also their amazing storylines that reflect the fears and fascinations of their era; in other words, contemporary fears. But if you are on Netflix and want to watch a more recent anime-era Godzilla story, there is a proper order to follow. Bonus: There are two live-action films, too.

The anime trilogy involves films such as Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters, Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle, and Godzilla: The Planet Eater. And yes, there are a couple more films in this series that take a wilder, more science-heavy spin on the lore that goes way back.

So if you are a fan of the genre and looking for some options for it on Netflix, we have got you five films to watch and see what happens when Godzilla meets futuristic tech, or ancient prophecy, or human desperation in space, all in proper order.

All the Godzilla movies you can watch on Netflix

Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (Kōbun Shizuno, Hiroyuki Seshita, 2017)

The first film in the anime trilogy, Planet of the Monsters, shows us a version of Godzilla that feels like more than just a creature, like a myth. It begins twenty thousand years after humans are forced to abandon Earth because Godzilla has taken over. When they finally return, the planet looks nothing like what they left. It looks like nature has evolved around the monster, and reclaiming Earth feels impossible.

Initially, the film feels slow, but it has a powerful start. It’s not your typical action-heavy Godzilla movie, but that’s exactly what makes it interesting. It builds tension and worldbuilding beautifully, and when Godzilla finally shows up in full form, it’s genuinely chilling. It’s the kind of movie that grows on you the more you think about it, especially if you like sci-fi with emotional undertones.

Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle (Kōbun Shizuno, Hiroyuki Seshita, 2018)

The second film picks up right where Planet of the Monsters leaves off, and honestly, it’s where things start getting really wild. Humanity is still trying to take back Earth, and this time, they discover a city made of living metal – yes, living metal – and it is built around the remnants of Mechagodzilla. Again, this film is heavy sci-fi, and who doesn’t love that?

To better describe this film in terms of the trilogy, it will give you the feeling that the story is finally heading somewhere. As compared to the previous film, the pacing is faster here, and of course, the action is bigger. In this film, there is a lot to process with giant monsters and futuristic weapons, with some moral debates, but that’s what makes it so much fun.

Godzilla: The Planet Eater (Kōbun Shizuno, Hiroyuki Seshita, 2018)

This is the third and final part of the anime trilogy, and trust us, it’s the most intense one. The Planet Eater dives headfirst into some seriously wild territory this time. Think cults and a showdown between Godzilla and King Ghidorah that feels straight out of a nightmare. It’s darker and a little trippy at times, but that’s what makes it stand out.

If you look at this film from a unique perspective, you will find it really poetic, as this one is not just about monsters fighting; it’s about faith, obsession, and how far people will go when they have got nothing left. If you’ve made it through the first two, this one feels like a proper emotional payoff in a deep and satisfying way on its own.

Godzilla Minus One (Takashi Yamazaki, 2023)

If you think Godzilla movies are just about a big monster crushing cities, this one will surprise you. Godzilla Minus One is one of those films that will hit you harder than you expect. It is set right after World War II and follows a former kamikaze pilot who is already living with guilt and loss when Godzilla decides to show up and ruin whatever little peace he has built.

What makes this one so special is that it isn’t just about the destruction. It’s about people trying to find hope when everything is gone, which we saw in Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle. And another important fact to note about this film is its breathtaking visuals (seriously, that Oscar win for Best Visual Effects was well deserved), but it’s the emotion that stays with you. This is Godzilla at his most terrifying and his most meaningful, and surprisingly, you’ll find yourself rooting for both the humans and the monster by the end.

Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color (Takashi Yamazaki, 2024)

This is basically Godzilla Minus One, but in a black and white tone and a completely different experience. You might not expect a simple colour shift to hit this hard, but the absence of colour makes the fear and the destruction, with the emotion, feel heavier. This film is like watching an old war photograph come to life, and quite literally. The only thing that’s different is that this time the enemy is a radioactive monster.

If you’ve already seen the original, this version is worth it purely for how cinematic it looks. Everything feels sharper and more detailed. It’s haunting in a way that the colour version isn’t. Watch this one when you are in the mood for something that feels classic.