In 2014, the King of the Monsters made a thunderous return to the big screen, and now he's stomping his way onto a new streaming home. Godzilla, directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), has officially joined Paramount+ as of September 1, giving subscribers a chance to revisit the film that launched the MonsterVerse.
The movie reimagines the iconic Toho creature for a modern audience, pitting Godzilla against terrifying creatures known as MUTOs. These monsters, awakened by humanity's reckless scientific experiments, threaten to wipe out civilization. It's a classic cautionary tale: scientists meddle with forces they don't understand, and the world pays the price.
The human story centers on Ford Brody, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Bullet Train), a soldier who gets caught in the chaos. He's joined by an impressive cast, including Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) as his father Joe, Elizabeth Olsen (WandaVision) as his wife Elle, and Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai) as Dr. Ishirō Serizawa. Juliette Binoche, Sally Hawkins, David Strathairn, and Richard T. Jones round out the ensemble.
A Monster Hit with Critics and Audiences
Upon its release, Godzilla earned generally positive reviews, holding a 76% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 66% audience score. Critics praised Edwards for striking a balance between massive monster spectacle and human drama, a feat that helped restore some of the franchise's former glory. Interestingly, the film also sparked some amusing criticism from Japan, where some felt the new Godzilla design was a bit too hefty—body-shaming a giant lizard, if you will.
Financially, the reboot was a massive success, grossing $529.1 million worldwide against a reported $160 million budget. That success laid the groundwork for an entire cinematic universe, with Warner Bros. and Legendary officially expanding the MonsterVerse in the years that followed.
The MonsterVerse Continues to Grow
Since 2014, the franchise has expanded with Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs. Kong, and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. The next installment, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, is already slated for release next year. For fans looking to revisit the beginning of this epic saga, Tom Cruise's failed Mummy reboot might not be the best comparison, but Godzilla is a true standout in the genre.
If you're in the mood for more monster mayhem, you might also check out Gerard Butler's Machine Gun Preacher, which also found a new home on Paramount+. And for those who appreciate a good reboot, The X Factor UK's Gen Z reboot is making waves in the reality TV world.
So, whether you're a longtime fan or new to the MonsterVerse, Godzilla is now streaming on Paramount+. It's the perfect way to experience the film that started it all, with all the destruction, drama, and giant lizard action you could ask for.
