Sci-Fi Monster Mash That Revived a Franchise Now Available for Streaming on Netflix

In 2014, Godzilla surprised audiences by bringing the massive creature battles to the forefront, but no one anticipated that it would kickstart a revitalized American Godzilla franchise. Fast forward to four films and a TV series later, and the series has found its true groove, especially with the release of Godzilla: King of the Monsters in 2019. This sequel was the game-changer, giving audiences the epic showdown between Godzilla and other towering kaiju that had been missing in the first film. With the human characters pushed aside, the movie's spectacle of giant monsters clashing on screen was everything fans had hoped for. Its success led to more sequels and an upcoming television series.

Monsters Take Center Stage

It might seem easy to make a film centered around massive monsters battling each other, but Godzilla: King of the Monsters is proof that it takes more than just a giant lizard and a few fights to make it work. The movie revolves around Godzilla confronting King Ghidorah, the three-headed Monster Zero, to reclaim his title as the King of the Monsters and stop humanity from facing extinction. Other kaiju like Rodan and Mothra make appearances, and the special effects are used to their full potential. The plot is simple, but it doesnt need to be complex to be effective. The focus is squarely on the spectacle of the monster battles.

The human storyline, featuring actors like Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, and Millie Bobby Brown as a family tangled in kaiju research, feels secondary. Despite this, the cast delivers solid performances, and the film wisely uses them to flesh out the world and set up future stories. The addition of Charles Dance as the eco-terrorist villain adds an interesting layer to the narrative.

Critics Missed the Point

When Godzilla: King of the Monsters was released, many critics were underwhelmed, complaining that the film lacked a substantial plot. With only a 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it seemed the critics preferred the more restrained 2014 film. However, audience reaction told a different story, with the movie earning an 83% approval rating and grossing $380 million globally. While the films $200 million budget didnt leave much room for celebration, the box office figures, combined with Blu-ray and merchandise sales, proved that the film was a success. It also became a hit every time it was licensed to a streaming platform.

The film's post-credits scene set the stage for even more excitement, teasing the arrival of titans to Skull Island and hinting at a battle between Godzilla and a giant ape. This buildup led to the release of Godzilla vs. Kong in 2021, which became another major success, solidifying the American Godzilla franchise's place in Hollywood.

The Legacy Continues

With Stranger Things winding down, Millie Bobby Brown is transitioning to a full-time movie career. Her roles in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Godzilla vs. Kong helped make her character, Madison Russell, one of the more engaging human figures in the kaiju films. Brown will next appear in Enola Holmes 3, but for fans of the Godzilla franchise, its exciting to know that the kaiju universe continues to grow.

The upcoming film Godzilla x Kong: Supernova is set to release in 2027, with a prequel series titled Monarch: Legacy of Monsters in development, starring Wyatt Russell as the founder of the organization that tracks the Titans. Additionally, Toho Studios is working on a sequel to Godzilla Minus One, titled Godzilla Minus Zero, which is expected to hit theaters in 2026. Theres plenty more kaiju action to look forward to, all thanks to Godzilla: King of the Monsters finally delivering on the promise of monstrous battles.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is now available for streaming on Netflix.

Author: Logan Reeves