Summary
- MonsterVerse redefined Godzilla as one of the most powerful versions, with unique abilities and immense strength.
- Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse franchise pits Godzilla against other monsters in high-budget, action-packed films.
- Godzilla’s powers include DNA absorption, energy absorption, regeneration, heightened sensitivity, and super strength.
Godzilla has had many powers since its debut in 1954, but Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse redefined Godzilla, making it one of the most powerful versions of the monster. The original Japanese Godzilla of Toho’s 1954 movie, Godzilla, was a force of nature, destroying Tokyo indiscriminately. Another movie called Godzilla brought this character to an American audience for the first time in 1998. Then, a third movie called Godzilla introduced America to the MonsterVerse in 2014, throwing its superpowered giant Godzilla in the ring.
This Godzilla of 2014 would go on to lead the MonsterVerse, an American multimedia franchise that won the complicated rights to King Kong as well as Godzilla, and pitted the two against each other in numerous movies. Utilizing possibly the highest budget out of all the Godzilla movies, Legendary Pictures and distributor Warner Bros. were able to put out an original version of Godzilla with power made for the big screen. Now, five movies, two TV series, and numerous comics and novelizations in, this Godzilla has shown his powers in excruciating detail.
Related Pink Godzilla Explained: New Color, Stronger Powers In Godzilla X Kong
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire equipped Godzilla with a pink-colored upgrade. But it never would have worked without a specific Titan’s involvement.
10 DNA Absorption
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
Close
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire was released in March, 2024, and showed a new side of Godzilla – his ability to absorb the DNA of other titans. Constituting one of the more recent MonsterVerse movies, this high-tech spectacle showed Godzilla powering up from Tiamat. Godzilla defeated Tiamat and used this little-known technique to ingest the dragon’s energy.
Godzilla fought Tiamat in the
Godzilla: Dominion
comic.
Godzilla had the upper hand against Tiamat in her own territory, swiftly using this ability to absorb her DNA. This made the atomic light inside him turn from blue to pink, imitating the pink atomic power that Tiamat had. Godzilla’s ability to absorb Tiamat’s DNA resulted in an evolution, signaling that this formidable power goes a long way to confirming Godzilla’s status as King of the Monsters.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire PG-13ActionAdventureFantasy Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
After nearly destroying each other in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, the giant Titans are back to face a new dangerous threat, but this time, they are on the same side. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the fifth film in Warner Bros.’ growing Monsterverse franchise and will be directed by Adam Wingard.
Director Adam Wingard Release Date March 29, 2024 Studio(s) Legendary Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Terry Rossio , Adam Wingard , Simon Barrett , Jeremy Slater Cast Dan Stevens , Rebecca Hall , Brian Tyree Henry , Kaylee Hottle , Fala Chen Runtime 115 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
9 Energy Absorption
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Close
Godzilla fed on radiation in many of its iterations, including MonsterVerse. Godzilla’s sustenance is radiation, and he takes it on in different ways. Godzilla vs Kong told audiences that Godzilla can absorb energy from other monsters while fighting them. This isn’t Godzilla’s only fuel source – in the Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire movie, he ingested energy from a nuclear power plant.
This ability is key to Godzilla’s attack modes and survival. Godzilla is able to survive so many eras and outlast so many catastrophes, partially due to his food source. In hibernating deep in the ocean, Godzilla can feed on the earth’s radiation. The beast can also survive nuclear disasters, and thrive on the fallout – radiation only makes him stronger.
Godzilla Vs Kong PG-13 Sci-FiAction Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
The first major crossover event in Warner Bros. monster verse arrives as Godzilla vs. Kong. This blockbuster action film sees the legendary King Kong and Godzilla go head to head in a battle of titanic proportions. Set after the events of Godzilla: King of the Monsters and decades after Kong: Skull Island, the movie sees members of the underground agency known as Monarch dealing with the fallout of a rampaging Godzilla. Monarch relocates Kong to an area that may give them the weapon they need to subdue Godzilla; however, there are greater foes than the King of the Monsters to fear.
Director Adam Wingard Release Date March 31, 2021 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Eric Pearson , Max Borenstein Cast Rebecca Hall , Tasneem Roc , Kyle Chandler , Ziyi Zhang , Lance Reddick , Hakeem Kae-Kazim , Jessica Henwick , Eiza Gonzalez , Alexander Skarsgard , Daniel Nelson , Millie Bobby Brown , Brian Tyree Henry , Danai Gurira , Demián Bichir , Julian Dennison Expand
8 Regeneration
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
Close
Between the critically-acclaimed 2014 Godzilla movie and its sequel, 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla had evolved. Its appearance had changed, indicating that Godzilla’s regenerative ability could alter its biology. This was the first time that MonsterVerse showed Godzilla’s regeneration, which was documented in more detail in the comic Godzilla: Aftershock.
Godzilla’s regeneration was caused by his fight with MUTO Prime in the comic and entailed many changes. Godzilla’s regeneration granted him a bigger overall build with greater strength and mobility, longer claws, and new dorsal plates. Godzilla regenerated again after absorbing Tiamat’s DNA in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters PG-13ThrillerActionHorrorSci-Fi Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
In Godzilla: King of the Monsters, crypto-zoological agency Monarch faces off against a battery of god-sized monsters known as the Titians. Among these creatures is the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah.
Director Michael Dougherty Release Date May 29, 2019 Studio(s) Legendary Pictures , Toho Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Michael Dougherty , Zach Shields , Max Borenstein Cast Millie Bobby Brown , Vera Farmiga , Kyle Chandler , O’Shea Jackson Jr. , Bradley Whitford , Randy Havens , Charles Dance , Aisha Hinds , Sally Hawkins , Ken Watanabe , Thomas MIddleditch Runtime 132 Minutes Expand
7 Heightened Sensitivity
Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
Close
Godzilla has heightened senses in the MonsterVerse that allow him to find his way in the world, seeking out various other titans, energy sources, or threats. In Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla used his sensitivity abilities to seek out a new place to live. His amplified senses have been seen to work well underwater as well as on land.
Godzilla’s great sight, hearing, and sense of smell helped him locate a nuclear warhead that Scylla was interested in, along with various Apex Cybernetics facilities in Godzilla vs. Kong. Despite these examples, Godzilla had this innate power since the well-received 2014 Godzilla movie – Godzilla saw the ocean as “an extension of himself,” according to Godzilla: Dominion.
Related Godzilla King Of The Monsters Missing Titans: Sekhmet Explained
Confirmed to exist in Godzilla: King of the Monsters is the Titan Sekhmet, who may share something in common with another classic Toho kaiju.
6 Durability
Godzilla (2014)
Close
Godzilla’s durability is well-known in the Godzilla world, including in the MonsterVerse. This is one Godzilla superpower that every version of Godzilla has been able to use, resisting machine gunfire like it was so many paintballs. Godzilla’s durability in the MonsterVerse was first revealed in the franchise’s very first movie from 2014, as Godzilla withstood an onslaught of human weaponry.
Explosives seemed to have very little effect on Godzilla, occasionally presenting an annoyance. Godzilla’s gills seemed to be a weak spot, judging from his reaction when they were hit. Buildings fell and crushed Godzilla towards the end of the 2014 movie, but not even this huge impact could kill the beast or hurt him in the long term – eventually, he got up and walked back to the sea.
Godzilla (2014) PG-13 Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Godzilla is a 2014 American reboot of the popular kaiju property and the first film in Legendary’s Monsterverse franchise. The film centers around Ford Brody (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) who travels to Japan after his father Joe (Bryan Cranston) is detained for trying to uncover the truth about his wife’s death 15 years prior. Together they fight to survive as Joe’s conspiracy theory becomes true and giant monsters begin attacking the world.
Director Gareth Edwards Release Date May 16, 2014 Studio(s) Legendary Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures , Toho Writers Max Borenstein , David Callaham Cast Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Bryan Cranston , Elizabeth Olsen , Ken Watanabe , Sally Hawkins , Vera Farmiga , David Strathairn Runtime 123 Minutes Expand
5 Super Strength
Godzilla (2014)
Close
Godzilla’s extreme and inhuman durability is linked to his super strength. Godzilla vs. Kong built on the first Godzilla MonsterVerse movie, establishing the Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla as one of the world’s strongest. Godzilla crushed any unfortunate citizens or buildings that stood in his path, and could not only fight parasitic MUTOs but held his own against King Kong.
Bouncing back after Kong’s forceful punch was an easy task for Godzilla, after a brief recovery. Godzilla went on to show his strength fighting the ape and numerous other titans throughout the MonsterVerse. Godzilla’s fins have the potential to cut through human boats, and in the novelization of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Ghidorah’s tails.
4 Being Amphibious
Godzilla (2014)
Close
Godzilla spends a lot of his time underwater in MonsterVerse movies, proving his ability to breathe underwater. Godzilla is a successful amphibian, at equal ease on land and submerged in water. Being amphibious is a key part of Godzilla’s persona and identity in MonsterVerse – he is an ancient titan who hibernates in the ocean until a titanic threat arises.
Godzilla’s power to breathe underwater saw him occasionally tussle with other titans in the sea, resulting in impressive fight sequences. Godzilla fought Tiamat underwater in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Kong underwater in Godzilla vs. Kong. King Ghidorah also experienced Godzilla’s wrath underwater, while Godzilla’s gills and amphibious lungs both secured his complete comfort in the sea.
3 Telepathy
Godzilla Dominion (2021)
Close
Godzilla’s telepathy is a little-known power that takes place all throughout the MonsterVerse. Godzilla’s intelligence as King of the Monsters is obvious, and combined with his super-sensitivity and super strength, it can seem like Godzilla’s ability to be in the right place at the right time is simply genius. However, the comic Godzilla Dominion confirmed that MonsterVerse Godzilla does have the power of telepathy.
Godzilla used a “silent call” in the novelization of Godzilla vs. Kong to induce the other titans to rest. This intriguing addition to MonsterVerse lore cemented Godzilla’s status as King of the Monsters. Not only could he defeat other titans in a fight, he could communicate with them remotely over long distances.
2:03 
Related Monsterverse’s KOTM Retcons Mean The Monsterverse Can Introduce 2 More Titans
Changes to Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ setup for the future paves the way for the Monsterverse to introduce more kaiju from Toho’s universe.
5
2 Nuclear Pulse
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
Close
Godzilla’s nuclear pulse is one of his most devastating attacks, first exemplified in Godzilla vs. Destroyah, the 1995 Toho movie. Since then, MonsterVerse added nuclear pulse to its Godzilla in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. This 2019 movie moment saw Mothra assist Godzilla in beating Ghidorah, contributing to the power that Godzilla emitted from its body in nuclear pulses.
Godzilla absorbed radiation from a nuclear power plant in order to have enough strength to use nuclear pulse and beat off attacking drones.
These powerful nuclear waves followed Godzilla’s Burning Godzilla state, likening Godzilla to a nuclear reactor melting down. In Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Godzilla absorbed radiation from a nuclear power plant in order to have enough strength to use nuclear pulse and beat off attacking drones. This nuclear absorption culminated in a nuclear pulse firing outward from his body in a blue explosion.
1 Atomic Breath
Godzilla (2014)
Close
Godzilla’s atomic breath is Godzilla’s most legendary ability, always used in movies to demonstrate Godzilla’s lethal power. Godzilla first showed off its atomic breath in the 1954 Godzilla, and it has been a staple in the franchise ever since. MonsterVerse Godzilla used its atomic breath to destroy the MUTO parasite in 2014’s Godzilla, and used it continuously against other titans in subsequent movies.
Godzilla only appears to weaponize its atomic breath as a last resort in most of the franchise movies, but he used it more often against King Ghidorah and King Kong. These two foes presented a major threat to Godzilla and planet Earth, despite Kong teaming up with Godzilla at some points in MonsterVerse. The Godzilla atomic ray is unique to Godzilla even among his species, according to the Godzilla vs. Kong novelization.
Godzilla
The Godzilla franchise, spanning over six decades, follows the adventures of the titular kaiju, a colossal, prehistoric sea monster awakened and empowered by nuclear radiation. Originating in Japan, Godzilla has evolved from a destructive force of nature to a protector of humanity, battling various other giant monsters, including iconic foes like King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Mechagodzilla. The series explores themes of environmental destruction, nuclear anxiety, and human resilience. With numerous films, TV series, and an expanding universe, Godzilla remains a cultural icon, captivating audiences worldwide with its epic battles and compelling narratives.
Movie(s) Godzilla , Godzilla 2 , Godzilla 3 , Shin Godzilla , Godzilla (2014) , Godzilla (1998) , Godzilla Vs Kong , Godzilla Minus One , Mothra vs. Godzilla , Godzilla Vs King Kong , Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. , godzilla: monster planet , Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972) , Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla , Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) , King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) , Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II , Godzilla: The Showa Era Films , Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989) Created by Tomoyuki Tanaka , Akira Watanabe First Film Godzilla Latest Film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire First Episode Air Date November 17, 2023 Cast Akira Takarada , Momoko Kôchi , Akihiko Hirata , Takashi Shimura , Anna Sawai , Kiersey Clemons , Ren Watabe , Kurt Russell , Wyatt Russell TV Show(s) Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Expand