Godzilla Vs. Monster Zero (1965)

64% of users liked it
(7,626 ratings)

Toho's bid to merge the Godzilla series with their popular alien-invasion films resulted in this entertainingly goofy entry. The plot involves the discovery of the mysterious Planet X in our solar system, leading to a joint U.S./Japanese space exploratory mission. The explorers bump into some aliens… More Toho's bid to merge the Godzilla series with their popular alien-invasion films resulted in this entertainingly goofy entry. The plot involves the discovery of the mysterious Planet X in our solar system, leading to a joint U.S./Japanese space exploratory mission. The explorers bump into some aliens with no fashion sense whatsoever (even for 1965), who claim their planet has been under constant attack from the powerful Monster Zero -- also known to Godzilla fans as Ghidrah, the three-headed monster from the previous year. The aliens suggest a deal with the Earthlings: if they can "borrow" Godzilla and Rodan to help rid their planet of Ghidrah, they will cure all of humankind's diseases in return. Of course, this is actually an elaborate ruse to rid the Earth of its monstrous defenders, leaving it vulnerable to invasion. As always, it's up to a handful of resourceful characters -- including token American Nick Adams and series regular Akira Takarada -- to save the day and return Earth's monsters for the requisite city-smashing finale. After a slow start, this movie serves up a good portion of flashy pyrotechnics and noisy monster-grappling but lapses into several moments of deliberate silliness (particularly Godzilla's goofy Irish jig) and rampant use of ill-fitting footage from previous monster installments. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Ishirô Honda
Genres: Art House & International, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jul 29, 1970 Wide
On DVD: May 5, 1998
Studio: Maron Films Ltd.

Critic Reviews

Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter
A colorful, fun, and exciting romp of a movie.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
One of the giant lizard's best-known adventures.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Christopher H

The sci-fi is amped up more than previous entries, resulting in one of the more interesting entries in the Godzilla franchise and more enjoyable than the previous entry "Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster". The film features American actor Nick Adams, playing a tough… More
The sci-fi is amped up more than previous entries, resulting in one of the more interesting entries in the Godzilla franchise and more enjoyable than the previous entry "Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster". The film features American actor Nick Adams, playing a tough American astronaut named Glenn. Nick Adams gives a decent performance and adds a certain amount of flare to the film. The monster fighting is sporadic and rather short, but the human characters and the deliberately campy "Star Trek"-like plot makes the whole film worthwhile. The people of Planet X, for as goofy looking as they are, make for very good and memorable villains. This movie also introduced the idea of people taking control of monsters and using them for villainous purposes, a plot device that will be re-hashed many times in the Godzilla franchise. The english dubbing is also rather good in this movie when compared to other Godzilla dubs. Plus seeing Godzilla do a goofy dance after defeating King Ghidorah is just icing on the cheesy but enjoyable B-movie cake.
Luke B

Another enjoyable Godzilla film. This time King Ghidra has appeared on a new found planet. The inhabitants ask to borrow Godzilla and Rodan to help them out in return for a cure to cancer. This film encompasses even more of a science-fiction tone. It does does it very well, with some… More
Another enjoyable Godzilla film. This time King Ghidra has appeared on a new found planet. The inhabitants ask to borrow Godzilla and Rodan to help them out in return for a cure to cancer. This film encompasses even more of a science-fiction tone. It does does it very well, with some nice interior designs and costumes. It once again focuses on the humans more than the monsters, even if the human characters lack some of the likability from previous outings. The monster fights aren't as impressive, with one of them taking place on a barren planet. A nice change, but no smashy :( Godzilla really begins to embrace his hero role, which makes this less horror. A nice development for the series.
El Hombre I

Astronauts on a mission to a newly discovered Planet X orbiting Jupiter are met with friendly aliens who speak perfect japanese. Even better, the only american in the film has his english dialogue dubbed in japanese. As with most of the later Godzilla films, the aliens have… More
Astronauts on a mission to a newly discovered Planet X orbiting Jupiter are met with friendly aliens who speak perfect japanese. Even better, the only american in the film has his english dialogue dubbed in japanese. As with most of the later Godzilla films, the aliens have something up their sleeves and want to use Godzilla, Rodan and King Ghidorah to take over the world(s). The miniature sets are some of the best since Thunderbirds Are Go. Although there isn't as much fighting as one would like, what fights there are do not disappoint. The new dvd with original Japanese version is a great transfer making it seem like a completey new movie, being so used to the vhs dubbed version. Campy and Highly entertaining. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view¤t=PHOTOSHOPkingghidorahheisei.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/PHOTOSHOPkingghidorahheisei.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Anthony V

One of my favorites from the early series with a much imitated plot and the gorgeous Kumi Mizuno, every male Godzilla fan's first crush.