Best Intro to the Franchise

[Tohosaurus]

I would include G54 so long as it's someone who isn't opposed to "old" films; unfotunately that's an issue for some people.

Otherwise, the 80s films or GMK would be ideal IMO due to their stories and better effects work. I think those factors and their overall quality have helped them age well compared to the 90s Heisei films, for example.

[20th Century Boy]

It really depends on the person.

[Pkmatrix]

It really depends on the person.

This really is the best strategy when trying to introduce someone to Godzilla. We've got 30 movies to work with, surely you can find SOMETHING that'll appeal to the newbie's tastes.

[JGAR]

It really depends on the person.

^This. If the person is from that type that of audience that likes movies that aren't exactly just masterpieces but well made in every category (except for effects), show them G'54 and 84. If the person is just an ordinary joe wanting to be entertained no matter what, show them anything else, but particularly Godzilla 2000 and 2014.

[toho_guy01]

Personally, King Kong Vs Godzilla.

People will come for King Kong and stay for Godzilla and the fight scenes. Helps that the human scenes are entertaining (At least, to me). I'm talking about the American version, which is not as bad as you think.

[toho_guy01]

I think Godzilla vs Space Godzilla could work rather well for new people.

Mind explaining?

[Janjira-York]

It really depends on the things the person is into and the age/gender of said people.

But I feel that G'54 is to dark and/or boring to show to people without a context.

But I stand still, if they can live throug Godzilla's revenge they accept anything else

[Legion1979]

I think Godzilla vs Space Godzilla could work rather well for new people.

Mind explaining?

Yeah please explain why.

[Space Hunter M]

Personally, King Kong Vs Godzilla.

Real talk.

[Pkmatrix]

I'm talking about the American version, which is not as bad as you think.

Eeeeeehhhhh....

I have mentioned how the US version of KKvG is one of my least favorite movies in the whole genre, right? I'd rather watch G'98 than the US version of KKvG. ^_^()

But I feel that G'54 is to dark and/or boring to show to people without a context.

It may just depend on the age and temperment of the person, though. The last time I tried to introduce Godzilla to people it was to three friends via G'54, and they all loved it. None of them thought it was boring, and they ate up the darkness of it (I think they liked it much MORE because it was much darker than they expected).

[tymon]

^It's also a boring, unfocused mess with cardboard characters, an awful score and terrible effects.

SpaceGodzilla is one of, if not the, most universally loathed films in the series, among both fans and casual viewers, and for damn good reason. So therefore it's not a great choice for newcomers.

[kamilleblu]

an awful score

I wouldn't go that far.

[Kaiser]

I'm one of the biggest Heisei defenders on this site and even I think SpaceGodzilla is one of the worst entries to introduce someone to the series. Godzilla vs. Megalon and one or two other Showa films may be technically worse films, but SpaceGodzilla is just so tedious to sit through. Unlike Megalon, Final Wars, or Gigan, it's stupidity isn't somewhat entertaining to witness, being more the face-palm inducing variety rather than the laugh-out loud variety. It commits the worst crime a film can commit: it's just dull.

I'd much rather show someone Gigan, because they at least might be entertained enough to want to watch more films in the future.

[imperious reptilius]

The best way to introduce anyone into the series is the original first, then something in the Showa series. I'd personally go with DAM or Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster.

[gojira96]

Godzilla vs Mothra [1964]. If you don't like that film, you probably won't like most of them.

[Godziller]

The intro for the English Version of Godzilla's Revenge

[GigaBowserG]

Godzilla Vs. Destoroyah for me. It may not have crazy visuals or anything flashy like the other films, but Ifukube's music... the climactic musical explosion upon the reveal of Destoroyah's name in the title gives me chills every single time.

[MDK]

Mothra vs Godzilla. It's the definitive Godzilla film.

[Pkmatrix]

After rewatching it the other day, I think I might just add Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1993) as a possibility. It's hardly the best movie, but it's sure entertaining (EVERYBODY likes flashy explosions!) and seems a lot closer to typical for the franchise as a whole than a lot of the other possibilities. It tells you pretty much everything you need to know in the first couple of minutes and has a monster cast recognizable to any non-fan, it seems almost specifically designed to be a jumping-on point for newbies.

[three]

MG2 and vs KG (1991) are my two picks.

MG2 is well paced and flashy with not a lot of downtime. KG has humourously bad moments to lighten the slow story of the first half, gives an origin for Godzilla, and has a very cool enemy and twist at the end. The villains are also very easy to dislike, and because there's story influence from the outside world at the time, you can connect the dots for them.

This is what I did. After that I tried more modern themed stuff like Biollante and it worked well, and now have moved into the Showa films with MG (1974), which again is flashy, fast, and has some light camp.

I would not show someone the original until they'd seen some of the other stuff for comparisons sake. They're going to be familiar with the fighting super monster Godzilla, and the original is a disaster movie and historical nuclear commentary. Definitely heavier than other films and it's quite old; non fans may be immediately put off and I don't want them missing what's the best film in the franchise. After that you can explain why the shift from that version of film came and how we got to Godzilla, hero saviour of Japan and the architect of its downfall (a paradox) at the same time.