This is my personal opinion on monster movies everyone should see wither you're a movie enthusiast or not. This list of movies and their series are movies that everyone should see at some point.
I want to begin by saying there are SO many more movies i can list but I'm going to stick with my top 5 with a list of honorable mentions at the end. The movies i list here are mostly party of a series so I'll list specific movies or more info on the others within each entry.
5- Cloverfield
This movie had a pretty big divide on how favored it was. This movie is a take on the Blair Witch shaky cam but with a massive monster is New York. With the story following the civilian side I had to include it on the top 5 for its depiction of the realistic human emotion element and its determination to be together. This movie makes you think of how and what you would do if this happened around you. Unlike other monster movies The monster is shown quite a bit beginning in about the half way mark.
This movie continues with movies, not as direct sequels, but with installments including 10 Cloverfield Lane and the Netflix movie "The Cloverfield Paradox." The series hasn't been 100% been clarified about when and how everything fits in place so individual imagination and ideas would be the best way to explore the series. My main reason for this entry is the human venture through the chaos and the expanded story with its other installments.
4- The Thing
Who else can argue that John Carpenters, The This, doesn't belong on this list. Its a classic horror , although it wasn't well received when it was released being claimed an Alien mimic. We know now, however, how wrong that mimic claim is and that this movies and its remake is a classic. This movies has GREAT practical SFX before the wide spread use of CGI giving this one a big jump on the list when combined with the story and the atmosphere of paranoia and suspense make this a movie you ant forget.
3- independence Day
Classic story of human determination among a classic enemy, hostile aliens. This movie, now set to a trilogy, has become another classic. This story is about aliens who have come to all major cities to seize earth as theirs. Mankind isn't having it and band together to put an end to our possible extinction. The movie has great SFX and great acting with the likes of Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, and Bill Pullman with is famous speech, no one can forget the chills from that speech nor Will Smiths welcome line to a crashed alien "Welcome to Earth." after knocking it out with a punch.
Since its 1996 release we have received a new squeal to the series called Independence Day: Resurgence which in my opinion was great! The sequel was full of action and amazing CGI and practical effects. The second installment picks up where youd hope humanity would be after advanced aliens attempted a take over and now will continue to one more movie which hasn't been named yet. This movies of man vs alien is a must see.
2- Alien
In space no one can hear you scream, a Ridley Scott film with a Jaws/Halloween vibe set in space. The story of corporate greed is pretty strong in this movie and series. This movies use of practical SFX is pretty amazing, you wouldn't know what tools and instruments were used unless someone told you. From the opening scene of Star Wars like ship floating in space to the alien its self, its all pretty amazing; not to mention the female lead role portrayed by Sigourney Weaver. The movie continues on for 3 other installments and has now 3 prequels. Another series to point out would be the Predator series which often fixes in with this universe, although now it may seem that developers have severed that connection. Personally, I like the idea of a shared universe between alien and Predator, the hunt of the Predator is pretty rad, I highly recommend Alien Vs Predator for their connection. I wouldn't suggest the sequel to that, and ill leave that there.
1- Godzilla
My personal Favorite of monster movies would be the mighty Godzilla. Here ill be talking about its beginnings however I do suggest other movies in this category because watching all 36 movies would be a pretty crazy feat, a feat i plan to gain eventually.
Placing Godzilla as the top on my list wasn't due only to how awesome the movies are but for the historical reasoning behind its creation. No Godzilla isn't real but as mentions the reason behind it is pretty substantial. The atomic attacks on Japan during World War 2 from the Americans shook the world and decimated the country of Japan.The affects from the blasts did not fade after days, instead people were left with horrible disfigures, burns, cancers, and lost loved ones. For a while the attacks were heavily censored by the country but eventual lifted to allow the release of Godzilla in 1954. The film showcased what humanity has done to itself, the creation of the monster from radiation of atomic testing and attacks. In fact, the way Godzilla looks inst just to depict him as a giant lizard but instead is modeled after he very real people who had radiation burns and scars from attacks. Godzilla was eventually defeated buy man by use of the oxygen destroyer, which may be a way to state that man can conquer evils of our own doing, deep meanings there.
Besides the very real history to Godzilla I do recommend a few movies to start with and to help there Movies are divided by those who were over production during the time of certain moves coming out. Those eras are, in order: Showa, Hessei, American 1998, Millennium, Post Millennium, and the current Legendary. The current Godzilla series now has us in Legendary's connected universe complete with books, comics, and tons of monsters, its Americas redemption for its take on the King.
It is not hidden or unknown the campy-ness that Godzilla films can have so be aware of some of those, but as i said ill mention ones the I suggest:
1- Godzilla 1954
2- King Kong Vs Godzilla
3- All Monsters Attack
4- Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla
5- Godzilla vs Space Godzilla
6- Godzilla Vs Destroyah
7- Godzilla Final Wars
8- Shin Godzilla
9- Godzilla 2014
10- Godzilla: King of the Monsters
As mentioned this is completely opinion what i think everyone should watch in terms of monster movies. If you disagree, think thinks should be changes, or add to the list feel free to comment below your ideas, we would love to hear them!
-Brandon
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