When we say the word ‘kaiju’, images of gigantic and bizarre monsters fill our imagination. Originating in Japan during the early 1950s, the film genre gained traction and eventually became widely popular among Western audiences, thanks to the sheer spectacle and awe-inspiring grandeur that these movies bring to the screen.
These colossal creatures, aka kaiju, stomp their way through cityscapes, leaving a trail of destruction that simultaneously terrifies and enthrals viewers. From the iconic Godzilla to the majestic Mothra, kaiju movies have carved a niche in the film industry, creating a cinematic experience like no other. King Kong and the Jurassic Park franchise are some shining examples.
Similarly, 2024 is filled with some exciting kaiju film releases including Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Ultraman Blazar the Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown. With incredible special effects, the genre continues to capture the imagination of audiences worldwide.
Better clear out. The boys are on the way. #GodzillaxKong pic.twitter.com/gmb6kcfNOf
— Godzilla x Kong (@GodzillaXKong) January 19, 2024
So without further ado, let us take a look at the best kaiju releases of 2024.
Here is the complete list of upcoming Kaiju movies in 2024
Ultraman Blazar the Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown
Release date: 23 February
Ultraman Blazar the Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown is an upcoming Japanese Kaiju film that extends the story of the tokusatsu superhero Ultraman Blazar. Tsuburaya Productions describes the film’s plot as: “A wave of kaiju emerges from an industrial area in Tokyo, prompting Captain Gento and the Special Kaiju Reaction Detachment (SKaRD) to engage in the relentless battle. Yet despite their efforts, the endless kaiju attack continues.”
“Suspecting a link to Necromass Co., an advanced chemical company that researches kaiju carcasses and owns factories in the industrial area where the monsters came from, SKaRD rushes to the company’s CEO and renowned chemist, Dr. Mabuse. At Necromass Co.’s research facility, Dr. Mabuse explains the development of damudoxin, a substance on the brink of achieving immortality. Chaos ensues when damudoxin leaks from the destroyed tanks, consuming samples of kaiju carcasses and giving rise to the giant Gongilgan, the Demonic Carcass.”
The cast includes Tomoya Warabino, Himena Tsukimiya, Konomi Naito, Hayate Kajihara, Yuki Ito, Kisuke Iida, Shinya Okamoto, Haru Iwakawa, Ritsuto Morishima and the voice of Akira Ishida.
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Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Release date: 29 March
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is an American monster film helmed by director Adam Wingard. The storyline revolves around Godzilla and Kong joining forces to confront an unknown threat that endangers both the Hollow Earth and the Earth’s surface.
This movie serves as a sequel to the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong and marks the fifth installment in the MonsterVerse. The cast features Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle, Alex Ferns and Fala Chen. Notably, Hall, Henry and Hottle reprise their roles from the prequel.
Ultraman: Rising
Release date: TBD
Ultraman: Rising is an animated superhero movie that draws inspiration from the Ultraman series, which is set to hit globally on Netflix. As of now, the exact release has not been revealed. The cast includes Christopher Sean as Ken Sato / Ultraman, with supporting voices from Gedde Watanabe, Tamlyn Tomita, Keone Young and Julia Harriman.
The plot centres around Ken Sato, who is a popular but self-centred baseball player, who leads a double life as the superhero Ultraman. His life takes a complex turn when, following the defeat of a giant monster’s mother, he unwillingly becomes the adoptive parent of a baby kaiju. Now, he must juggle his baseball career and superhero responsibilities, all while taking care of the infant.
The Kaiju Score
Release date: TBD
The Kaiju Score is an upcoming live-action feature film developed by Sony Pictures Entertainment, inspired by the AfterShock Comics title created by writer James Patrick and artist Rem Broo. The screenplay for the film will be adapted by Brian and Mark Gunn. Details about the plot of the movie are being kept confidential. However, in the original comic book series, The Kaiju Score revolves around four characters who are attempting a heist amidst a massive monster (kaiju) onslaught.
AfterShock provides this description of the comic: “It’s tough to plan the perfect heist in the best of conditions — and, as it turns out, carrying out the crime of the century in the middle of a giant monster attack is far from the best of conditions. Welcome to the genre mash-up to end all genre mash-ups in AfterShock Comics’ upcoming new series, The Kaiju Score.”
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(Hero and feature image credit: Courtesy IMDb/Godzilla)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which is the best upcoming Kaiju movie in 2024?
Ultraman Blazar the Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire are some of the most anticipated upcoming Kaiju releases in 2024.
