When it comes to which Godzilla films are generally held up as the best...

[Garzon]

Is it fair to say that the original film, GMK and Shin are essentially the Holy Trinity of the Godzilla series, in terms of being considered the best of the lot? Genuine question here. From my experience, they seem to be the three that are held up as being the most “legitimate” in terms of qualifying as actual art, and not just schlocky monster movies.

[LSD Jellyfish]

Is it fair to say that the original film, GMK and Shin are essentially the Holy Trinity of the Godzilla series, in terms of being considered the best of the lot? Genuine question here. From my experience, they seem to be the three that are held up as being the most “legitimate” in terms of qualifying as actual art, and not just schlocky monster movies.

I think Gojira and Shin are the only definitive ones. GMK is one of my favorites, but there's many people who would argue (and they're not wrong) that Mothra vs. Godzilla 1964 or GTTHM are better. Shin has it's detractors amongst the Godzilla fandom, but pretty much Shin is universally liked in Japan, as it broke box office records, and won a ton of awards. You can't say the same for a lot of the other films. Shin is definitely considered more than "schlocky monster movies".

However, I'd argue a lot of members of the early showa era are more than shlocky monster movies. Just public perception and what not.

[eabaker]

Is it fair to say that the original film, GMK and Shin are essentially the Holy Trinity of the Godzilla series, in terms of being considered the best of the lot? Genuine question here. From my experience, they seem to be the three that are held up as being the most “legitimate” in terms of qualifying as actual art, and not just schlocky monster movies.

Those are probably the ones most often cited as "elevating the genre" or some such, yes (though more so the original and Shin that GMK). But I'd add that, as highly regarded as GMK and Shin are by a lot of fans, they're also both very controversial; other than the original, the one most consistently held up as a masterpiece by fans/in genre terms is probably Mothra vs. Godzilla.

EDIT: Wow, LSD and I were typing up very similar responses simultaneously.

[Cheadle]

That's trippy. You fellas are sync'd up. haha

[GodzillaFan1990's]

Godzilla (1954) although that's quite obvious and GMK are notable examples.

[HedorahIsBestGirl]

Depends on who you ask. Critics would definitely say Gojira '54 and Shin Gojira are the best. A lot of fans would place GMK and some of the Showa classics, especially Mothra vs. Godzilla, at the same level or above Shin. Godzilla vs. Biollante is also held in high regard by many fans. Really, the original film is the only one that is universally loved and respected as a true cinematic masterpiece; as great and as widely loved as they are, GMK and Shin definitely have their critics.

[Spuro]

For my money: Gojira, Mothra, and Mothra vs Godzilla would be the holy trinity. It's those three that not only defined the genre, but are also the most consistently high quality films.

GMK and Shin have their moments, but they're weighed down by some severe flaws as well.

[Tyrant_Lizard_King]

Gojira may be a beloved classic but Shin has got all the awards. Not saying Shin is better but it definitely has more accolades. I don't know if a single other Godzilla film can say that. Its also a cultural thing. Japan doesn't seem to notice or care about Satomi's shoddy English or the terrible American actors for example, something that western audiences would clearly have problems with. Most people outside the fandom would still largely deride even classics like Mothra vs Godzilla no matter how well made it actually is. Only 54 and Shin have been able to largely push past that stigma.

[Gigantis]

Generally held, i'd say 54 and Shin have that title in the bag. Fandom wise alone? I'm sure tons of fans would say Return of Godzilla would be up their and like TLK said, Mothra vs. Godzilla. And of course, GMK.

[Terasawa]

Gojira may be a beloved classic but Shin has got all the awards. Not saying Shin is better but it definitely has more accolades.

Not to discredit Shin but that might be because there are far more awards for it to grab, and far fewer Japanese features to compete against (there were several hundred Japanese features in 1954; I doubt the Japanese studios produced 100 live action films in 2016).

[Jetty_Jags]

Yeah but when you realise that gojira lost best picture to seven samurai the points kind of moot.

[eabaker]

True. There is, as they say, no shame in being beaten by the best.

[MechaGoji Bro7503]

I would put Gojira, King Kong vs Godzilla, Mothra vs Godzilla, GMK, & Shin Godzilla as the five best.

[eabaker]

I would put Gojira, King Kong vs Godzilla, Mothra vs Godzilla, GMK, & Shin Godzilla as the five best.

That's a tough list to argue with.

[realinvaderdesign]

As far as plots go,the solo godzilla films like 54,84 and shin are probably the best ones due to their seriousness and being more grounded, plus they are the only ones where godzilla feels like a genuine threat in my opinion.

If we are going for VS movies, Id say mothra vs godzilla, terror of mechagodzilla , gmk and Biollante

On side note, the original Mothra is one of tohos best

[miguelnuva]

Depends on what you consider to be the best. Are you looking for the most well made or are you looking for what describes Godzilla.

If I had to give a film that I feel is a commutative take on what Godzilla is I'd say GTTHM. If you want the most well made one go With Gojira. If you want what I feel is the best overall I'd say Mothra vs Godzilla.

Godzilla's franchise has lasted so long and changed the way character is and how it touched different people it really depends on how you want to introduce people.

I feel this is a list that you wouldn't go wrong with

-Gojira/KOTM
`Mothra vs Godzilla
`GTTHM
`Return of Godzilla
`Godzilla vs Biollante
-GMK

These 6 really seem like strong entries but maybe you could knock GTTHM off this list.