Top 10 Iconic Giant Monster Movies of All Time

Regarded as a landmark in the monster movie genre, Jaws, a 1975 horror thriller based on Peter Benchley's novel, marked a historical turning point in cinema. It became a cultural phenomenon, grossing a massive profit at the time.

Set on the idyllic Amity Island during a scorching summer, the peaceful town is thrown into chaos by a series of deadly shark attacks. Police Chief Martin Brody recommends closing the beach to protect the public, but is met with fierce opposition since the beach is the town’s main economic driver. As shark attacks continue, a group of bounty hunters arrives on the island, all competing for a reward to kill the massive predator.

Despite limited special effects, the film captivated audiences with its tense scenes and immersive sound design, even winning several music awards. Although Jaws spawned sequels, the original's success remains unmatched, especially without Steven Spielberg’s direction in the later installments.

Genre: Horror, Action, Thriller...

Director: Steven Spielberg.

If you’re a fan of action films and dinosaurs, then Jurassic World is the movie for you. The majestic, long-extinct dinosaurs are brought back to life in this thrilling series with stunning realism. Thanks to cutting-edge effects and cinematic technology, director Colin Trevorrow and his production team successfully created a cloned dinosaur theme park.

Twenty years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar has been transformed into a fully operational dinosaur theme park named Jurassic World, managed by Masrani Global. Initially a huge success with high visitor numbers, interest in the prehistoric creatures starts to wane. In an attempt to reignite excitement, Masrani Global creates a new breed of dinosaur, but this leads to a catastrophic disaster beyond imagination.

The movie was initially scheduled to release on June 13, 2014, but production delays due to creative differences between the scriptwriters and Universal Studios pushed the release to June 12, 2015. Directed by Colin Trevorrow, with Patrick Crowley and Frank Marshall producing, and written by Derek Connolly and Trevorrow.

Genre: Adventure, Action, Science Fiction...

Director: Colin Trevorrow.

Pacific Rim is a 2013 American science fiction and monster movie directed by Guillermo del Toro, starring Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Burn Gorman, Robert Kazinsky, Max Martini, and Ron Perlman. The screenplay, written by Travis Beacham and del Toro, is based on Beacham’s original story. Set in the near future, the Earth is under attack by Kaiju, giant monsters emerging from a rift at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. In response, humanity develops the Jaeger program, creating massive humanoid mechs controlled by two pilots connected by a neural bridge. The story follows Raleigh Becket, a former Jaeger pilot, who teams up with rookie Mako Mori in a final effort to stop the Kaiju invasion.

The peaceful future world is suddenly shattered by the arrival of the Kaiju, colossal monsters emerging from a spatial rift in the Pacific Ocean. These creatures attack the Earth relentlessly, becoming an existential threat to humanity. Unable to wait for extinction, humans create Jaegers—giant battle robots—to fight back. At first, the Jaegers easily defeat the Kaiju, but as the number of Kaiju increases and the Jaeger program suffers setbacks, humanity finds itself struggling again. Can they defeat the Kaiju and restore peace to the world?

While the action scenes may not be the most dazzling, Pacific Rim is a must-see for its impressive special effects and sound design.

Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Apocalyptic...

Director: Guillermo del Toro.

The Meg is a 2018 American science fiction horror film directed by Jon Turteltaub, based on the 1997 novel *Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror* by Steve Alten. The film stars Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, Winston Chao, and Cliff Curtis. It tells the story of a massive Megalodon shark that terrorizes a beach, marking a dramatic and dangerous situation with a production budget of $150 million.

Inspired by classic shark films like *Jaws* and *Deep Blue Sea*, The Meg taps into the deep-seated fear of the ocean while also commenting on humanity’s dark relationship with nature. The film opens with a deep-sea submersible being attacked by a giant creature. Jonas Taylor, the only one who survived and witnessed the beast, is forced to sacrifice two divers to save the others. His claims are dismissed, leading to his job loss, divorce, and a retreat to Thailand. When the world's largest underwater research station encounters trouble during an expedition to the Mariana Trench, Jonas is called back to confront the creature from his past and uncover secrets buried beneath the ocean’s depths.

Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Horror...

Director: Jon Turteltaub.

Attack on Titan is a 2015 Japanese action-horror fantasy film based on the popular manga series by Hajime Isayama. The film is a live-action adaptation split into two parts: the first part was released in Japan on August 1, 2015, while the second part, titled *Attack on Titan: End of the World*, premiered on September 19, 2015. Directed by Shinji Higuchi, with a screenplay by Yūsuke Watanabe and Tomohiro Machiyama, the film stars Haruma Miura, Kiko Mizuhara, and Kanata Hongō. The movie also saw release in Vietnam, with part one in September 2015 and part two in October 2015.

Attack on Titan is a live-action adaptation of the highly successful anime and manga series of the same name, created by Hajime Isayama. Fans of anime and Japanese comics will be familiar with this film, which is based on a popular anime with a massive fanbase worldwide. The story is set centuries ago, when humanity is attacked by giant, mindless humanoid creatures called Titans, who view humans as a food source. To survive, humanity constructs three massive walls that restore peace. However, the sudden appearance of a colossal Titan that destroys one of the walls allows other Titans to invade, threatening the survival of humankind once again. The story focuses on three main characters: Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Alert, all of whom are part of the Scout Regiment, dedicated to eliminating the Titans. Will they succeed in protecting humanity from the Titans?

The live-action version differs in several ways from the original manga and anime, but one of the most notable changes is the absence of Captain Levi Ackerman, a key character in the original series who is one of the strongest and has a huge fan following.

Genre: Action, Horror, Fantasy...

Director: Shinji Higuchi.

Cloverfield is a 2008 American monster horror film directed by Matt Reeves and produced by J. J. Abrams, with a screenplay by Drew Goddard. Prior to its release, Paramount Pictures launched a major marketing campaign to build anticipation among audiences. The film follows a group of friends in New York who are celebrating a farewell party for Rob before he departs for Japan. Their celebration is abruptly interrupted by a loud noise and an earthquake, caused by a giant creature attacking the city. Critics and audiences have compared *Cloverfield* to films like *Miracle Mile*, *The Blair Witch Project*, and the 2006 Korean monster movie *The Host*. This American horror and science fiction film stands out for its unique approach.

During the farewell party, the ground suddenly shakes violently, and news broadcasts report an earthquake and a citywide blackout. As panic erupts outside, the group of friends realizes that a colossal monster is wreaking havoc on the city. The film then follows Rob and his friends as they attempt a thrilling escape from the chaos. Will they manage to flee the city or will the disaster be their end?

*Cloverfield* is a distinctive film, shot entirely from the perspective of handheld cameras, a technique that adds to its realism but may also cause a bit of dizziness for some viewers.

Genre: Action, Horror, Science Fiction...

Director: Matt Reeves.

The Host is a 2006 South Korean monster movie directed by Bong Joon-ho, featuring Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, Park Hae-il, Bae Doona, and Go Ah-sung. The plot revolves around a monstrous creature that kidnaps the daughter of a man, and his determined efforts to rescue her. According to Bong, the inspiration came from a local news article about a mutated fish with an S-shaped spine caught in the Han River.

The story follows a creature created in the heart of the Han River due to chemical contamination. After six years, the monster resurfaces, terrorizing the residents along the river. Among its unfortunate victims is a young girl who survives and is taken by the creature to a sewer alongside other corpses. Her family, putting aside their differences, unites to rescue her. Within just 21 days, the film set a box office record in South Korea, selling 13 million tickets.

Following the success of Bong's *Memories of Murder*, *The Host* was highly anticipated. It opened in a record number of theaters in South Korea on July 27, 2006, and by November 8, it had sold 13 million tickets, becoming the highest-grossing Korean film at the time. The film had a limited release in the U.S. on March 9, 2007, and was released on DVD, Blu-ray, and HD DVD on July 24, 2007. It won several awards, including Best Film at the Asian Film Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

Genres: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi...

Director: Bong Joon-ho.

Kong: Skull Island is a 2017 action-adventure sci-fi film produced by Legendary Pictures and later handed over to Warner Bros. The film generated significant excitement by fully exploring the King Kong legend, a massive creature well-known to cinema fans, with stunning visual effects that created an incredibly immersive experience. Additionally, Vietnamese audiences were thrilled to discover that the film was shot in Quang Binh and Quang Ninh, with key scenes set in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Trang An in Ninh Binh, Vietnam.

The film follows an expedition sent to explore an uncharted island in the South Pacific, known as Skull Island. Their arrival disrupts the island's tranquility, awakening its massive ruler and endangering the team's lives as they face strange creatures. Meanwhile, they uncover long-hidden secrets about this isolated island.

Kong: Skull Island earned praise for its thrilling action sequences, although the plot was not groundbreaking. It managed to captivate audiences with the spectacular battle between Kong and the Skullcrawler, two ancient rivals. The project was first announced by Legendary Pictures at the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con under the name *Skull Island*, with Universal Pictures handling distribution. Legendary later transferred the project to Warner Bros., with plans to bring Kong and Godzilla together in future films. Initially, Joe Cornish was considered for the director role, but in September 2014, Jordan Vogt-Roberts was officially confirmed as the director.

Genres: Action, Monster, Sci-Fi.

Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is the sequel to 2014's *Godzilla* and the third installment in Legendary's MonsterVerse, released in 2019 and directed by Michael Dougherty.

Long-hidden ancient monsters, once believed to be mere myths, are discovered and secretly studied by Monarch, a government agency. Unfortunately, eco-terrorists intent on reshaping the natural order attack Monarch’s base, inadvertently awakening the colossal Titans—Godzilla and his rivals—who rise again to challenge for dominance over nature, creating a dire threat to humanity. The film showcases intense battles between four Titans: Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, and Ghidorah. Who will claim victory and become the ultimate ruler of monsters?

The plot is fresh and compelling, exploring the iconic Japanese monster Godzilla alongside other ancient creatures. The visual effects and stunning graphics are a highlight, bringing the epic clashes between the Titans to life in thrilling fashion. After its opening weekend, Warner Bros. reported that *Godzilla vs. Kong* attracted more viewers than any film or TV show on HBO Max since its launch. Samba TV also revealed that 3.6 million U.S. households watched at least the first 5 minutes of the film from March 31 to April 4, 2021, while 225,000 viewers in the UK tuned in.

Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi.

Director: Michael Dougherty.

A Quiet Place is a must-watch science fiction film set in a post-apocalyptic world. The movie has garnered significant success both at the box office and in various awards categories. It has received widespread acclaim for its fresh and captivating storyline, as well as its exceptional use of sound and visuals. The constant silence throughout the film adds a unique level of tension, immersing the audience in an almost suffocating atmosphere, which is a key factor in the film's appeal.

The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where Earth has been overtaken by a strange species that has wiped out most of the life forms, including humans. The plot revolves around the Abbott family, one of the few survivors. They must navigate their existence while avoiding giant, alien creatures with lightning-fast movement and superhuman hearing. Although their vision is poor, their bodies are covered in nearly indestructible steel armor, making them nearly invincible. Sound is the key trigger for these monsters, and the family must remain completely silent to survive. This creates a spine-chilling tension for viewers, as the constant threat of being heard looms over the characters.

A Quiet Place was produced by Platinum Dunes with a budget of $17 million. Directed by John Krasinski, who also co-wrote the script with Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. Beck and Woods grew up together in Iowa and were influenced by silent films they watched during college. Their shared childhood experiences in rural areas, particularly their time spent on farms, inspired them to set the film in a rural farm setting, including a grain silo that they were warned about as children as being dangerous.

Genres: Horror, Sci-Fi, Post-apocalyptic.

Director: John Krasinski.