Amazon has restocked one of the most popular box sets in the Criterion Collection. Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films, 1954-1975 is in stock for $112.48 (was $225). This is great timing on Amazon’s part, as the Criterion Collection half-off sale ends this weekend (December 7). At the time of writing, Amazon estimates orders placed today will arrive before Christmas. This gorgeous collection of 15 classic Godzilla movies routinely sells out during these 50% off sales at Amazon, but fortunately Amazon restocked its supply this time around.
Amazon also has 4K Blu-ray editions of Godzilla vs. Biollante and the original 1954 Godzilla film for at least 50% off. We said at least because Godzilla vs. Biollante’s 4K Blu-ray is on sale for only $20 (was $50).
Godzilla: The Criterion Collection Deals
$112.48 (was $225)
This eye-catching collection includes 15 Godzilla movies in total, all featuring Big Green during a period of time that was weird, imaginative, and action-packed. The films are new HD transfers, include both English and Japanese language tracks, archival interviews, and more bonus materials. Additionally, it comes with a deluxe hardcover book and colorful art on its deluxe packaging, making for a very nice bundle overall. Here’s the full list of Godzilla movies included:
- Godzilla (1954)
- Godzilla Raids Again (1955)
- King Kong vs. Godzilla (1963)
- Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)
- Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster (1964)
- Invasion of Astro-Monster (1965)
- Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966)
- Son of Godzilla (1967)
- Destroy All Monsters (1968)
- All Monsters Attack (1969)
- Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971)
- Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972)
- Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)
- Godzilla vs. Mecha-Godzilla (1974)
- Terror of Mecha-Godzilla(1975)
And here’s a broad list of special features found in this eight-disc set.
- New HD transfers
- English dubs
- New English subtitles
- Japanese version of King Kong vs. Godzilla
- New and archival interviews
- Featurettes on special effects in Showa era
$20 (was $50)
Godzilla vs. Biollante joined the Criterion Collection in March on Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray. It was restored in its original aspect ratio in native 4K (2160p) with a DTS-HD Master. Audio 5.1 surround sound track. This edition also includes a new English translation for the subtitles–the audio is in Japanese.
The 1989 film is a monster movie masterclass with compelling foes like the title nemesis Biollante, who was created in a lab by combining Godzilla and human cells with plants. It’s well-paced and has impressive special effects for its time. Godzilla vs. Biollante is a lot of fun, but it also delivers poignant commentary on humankind’s relationship with technology and science. If you haven’t watched it, just know there are good reasons why Godzilla vs. Biollante is only the second standalone Godzilla release for Criterion.
Along with being a great mix of sci-fi, horror, and action, Godzilla vs. Biollante established the format that would be used throughout the rest of the Heisei era. You don’t need to watch any of the films before it, but it is a sequel to 1994’s The Return of Godzilla.
As mentioned, the 4K Blu-ray edition is actually on sale for 60% off, so you can get it for the same price as the standard Blu-ray. The 4K edition also comes with a standard Blu-ray disc. Here’s the list of features and bonuses:
- 4K Blu-ray disc – Movie only
- 1080p Blu-ray disc – Movie and special features
- DTS-HD 5.0 MA
- New English subtitle translation
- New audio commentary with film historian Samm Deighan
- Making-of featurette from 1993
- Short documentary (1993): Biollante and Super X2 vehicles
- Making-of program from 1993 featuring director Kazuki
- Deleted special effects
- Trailers and commercials
- Booklet: Essay by sci-fi and horror film expert Jim Cirronella
- Slipcover
$25 (was $50)
If you buy the Showa-Era Collection deal, you’ll already have the original 1954 film, but the native 4K (2160p) edition is a must-watch for big fans of the franchise. It doesn’t have surround sound, but it uses the original uncompressed mono audio.
Godzilla’s 4K edition includes a foldout case with pop-up artwork of Godzilla. The 4K edition is five bucks more than the standard Blu-ray edition, but it also comes with a standard Blu-ray disc with the movie and special features. One of the most interesting bonuses is a remastered edition of Godzilla, King of the Monsters, the 1956 version of the film directed by Terry O. Morse. It’s essentially Hollywood’s take on Godzilla.
- 4K Blu-ray disc – Movie only
- 1080p Blu-ray disc – Movie and special features
- Uncompressed mono audio
- HD remaster of Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1956)
- Audio commentary by historian David Kalat for Godzilla and Godzilla, King of the Monsters
- Interviews with actors Akira Takarada and Haruo Nakajima
- Interviews with special effects technicians Yoshio Irie and Eizo Kaimai
- Interview with composer Akira Ifukube
- Interview with film critic Tadao Sato
- Featurette on photographic effects in the film
- The Unluckiest Dragon: Illustrated audio essay
- Trailers
- PLUS: An essay by critic J. Hoberman
Godzilla on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray
Fans should also check out the newly released Shin Godzilla Limited Edition Steelbook for $35 at Amazon. It’s listed as temporarily out of stock, but you can still order a copy. If you don’t want to wait, the standard edition 4K Blu-ray is available for $30. Shin Godzilla released on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray on October 28. Chronologically, it’s the first film in Godzilla’s Reiwa era.
Godzilla Minus One, one of the very best films in the franchise and the newest film in the Reiwa era, is available for only $14.53 on Blu-ray and $20 on 4K Blu-ray. Fans can also snag Godzilla Double Features from the Heisei and Millennium eras on Blu-ray for cheap. Godzilla vs. Biolllante, for reference, is the second film in the Heisei era following The Return of Godzilla. Hollywood’s recent blockbuster MonsterVerse series received a new 4K Blu-ray box set earlier this year. Normally $70, you can pick up Godzilla x Kong MonsterVerse 5-Film Collection for only $55 at Amazon.
Reiwa Era: Shin Godzilla & Godzilla Minus One Deals
Heisei and Millennium Era Blu-ray Deals
Godzilla/Kong MonsterVerse Series Deals
On 4K Blu-ray:
On Blu-ray:
Godzilla DVD Deals
You can get Godzilla movie box sets and the animated series on DVD for cheap. Earlier this year, Warner Bros. released a 10-film Godzilla and King Kong box set featuring all of the MonsterVerse movies as well as contemporary and classic King Kong movies for only $36. It’s temporarily out of stock, but once again Amazon is letting customers place orders. Alternatively, you can get Amazon’s limited-time deal on MonsterVerse 5-Film Collection that drops the price of the DVD box set to $17.49 (was $25). There’s also a cool budget-friendly Godzilla Mega Set focused on the Heisei and Millennium Era movies for only $26 (was $39).
On the comic book side of the franchise, fans should check out the ongoing IDW Library Collection. Godzilla’s comic book series is written and illustrated by some of the top talent in the industry, and these chunky paperback collections are affordably priced. IDW published Volume 5 on November 18.
