If we’re talking about monster movies, Japanese films and animation are the king in the industry. However, various studios in Hollywood, the center of filmmaking in the United States, have also often produce various giant monster-themed blockbusters that can compete with Japan. What are those films? Let's take a peek at the list.

1. Godzilla vs Kong

Talking about American or Hollywood films and giant monsters, of course we can't miss out on Godzilla vs Kong. Not only because Godzilla is a monster from Japan and Kong came from America. But also because this is a reboot of the long history of rivalry between the two monsters that started in 1962 with the release of King Kong vs Godzilla. 

2. Godzilla: King of the Monsters

Surely it is not a wrong idea to put King of the Monsters in second place on this list. As the title of the film implies, here saw the appearance of giant monsters of the MonsterVerse‘s universe and how Godzilla can finally sit on the throne as "king of the monsters" after facing his eternal rival, King Ghidorah.

3. Godzilla (2014)

The first title in Legendary's MonsterVerse franchise and the second Hollywood adaptation of the Japanese film Godzilla. This movie shows the emergence of Godzilla in the present time, who was initially thought wanted to destroy human civilization. However it turns out, another giant monster was its target.

4. Kong: Skull Island

Before watching Godzilla vs Kong, don't forget to watch Skull Island first. The 11th film in the entire King Kong franchise tells how the Monarch organization began investigating information about Titans, aka giant monsters, in 1973. Their journey took Monarch to Skull Island and eventually met Kong.

5. Jurassic Park

Monsters don't have to be fictional creatures, right? Being chased by a hungry T-rex is no less exciting than watching Godzilla's rampage on-screen. Even though it was made in 1993, Jurassic Park still has an amazing, timeless, realistic special effects and a tense (as well as inspiring) story.

6. The Lost World: Jurassic Park

The sequel, which is still being worked on by veteran director Steven Spielberg, is no less fun to watch. Four years after the destruction of the park on Isla Nublar in the first film, Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) must visit another island that is the center of dinosaur experimentation, Isla Sorna, in order to save his lover. But without him knowing, a group of mercenaries also followed suit, paid to capture the dinosaurs to open a new Jurassic Park in the city of San Diego.

7. Jurassic World

Soft reboot of the Jurassic Park series. Starring Chris Pratt (Star-Lord, Guardian of the Galaxy) and Bryce Dallas Howard (Gwen Stacy, Spider-Man 3), Jurassic Park on Isla Nublar has now been successfully operating and attracting many visitors. However, in order to continue to make money, the InGen company greedily created a new genetically-engineered dinosaur called Indominus rex -- which of course ends up being the source of the problems. 

8. Jurassic Park III

The third title of the old Jurassic Park series. Directed by Joe Johnston (Jumanji), Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) is paid by the wealthy Kirby family to guide them on an aerial tour of the island of Isla Sorna. When the Kirby family decided to land, Dr. Grant strictly forbids them, but is greeted by a beating that leaves him unconscious. As you can expect, this is where the chaos starts. 

9. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom presents an adventure that is different from the previous Jurassic Park films. The horror and gripping action was successfully formulated by J.A. Bayona and make you feel at home watching it. Here you will also see more action from the Dinosaurs.

10. King Kong (2005)

The original King Kong movie adaptation by the famous director Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings). Set in 1933, this film tells the journey of a film director Carl Denham (Jack Black) and his crews who are desperate to visit the dangerous island of Skull Island and finally meet the giant gorilla Kong. Amazed by the discovery, Carl and the rest of the team wanted to take Kong back to America while actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) and her boyfriend sympathize with Kong's desire to live a peaceful life alone. As you can expect, the story is filled with more drama after Kong's fight scenes against monsters on Skull Island end in the middle of the film. 

Read Also:

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11. Pacific Rim

If you are looking for a combination film with the theme of monsters as well as giant robots, then Pacific Rim is the answer. Made by director Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy) Pacific Rim follows the last line of human defense in the face of mysterious giant alien monster attacks. In order to defeat the monsters, mankind created their own “monster”, the Jaeger robots. 

12. Cloverfield

In addition to the Jurassic Park series, this popular giant monster film also focuses on thriller or horror elements. This movie, which popularized the “found footage” or hand-recorded style, follows the story of five American teenagers and other New York City residents who suddenly have to deal with an invasion of strange creatures.

13. Pacific Rim: Uprising

This Pacific Rim sequel continues the story from the first film. Kaijus attacked the Earth once again after 10 years had passed. Jake Pentecost, the son of the Stracker Pentecost character, must follow in his father's footsteps to save the world. John Boyega, Finn’s actor from the Star Wars movies, played Jake.

14.  Love and Monsters

After Earth was damaged by a crashed meteor that causes animals to mutate into monsters, a young man named Joel Dawson is separated from his girlfriend, Aimee, when their family were trying to evacuate from the city of Fairfield, California. Seven years later, Joel, who now lives alone in a settlement full of people with their respective partners, is determined to find Aimee once again. 

15.  Rampage

A not-so-accurate adaptation of the popular PS1 game series Rampage. Here Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson plays a primatologist named Davis Okoye who must save the city of Chicago from the threat of three animals - George the gorilla, Ralph the wolf, and Lizzie the lizard - who mutated into large monsters. 

16. War of the Worlds

The 2005 film, starring Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt, Mission Impossible), does show the Earth being attacked by alien forces, but to be frank, they practically act like monsters. Especially if you remember the scene where the aliens' tripods captured people and processed them as fertilizer for alien plants. How horrifying.

17. Godzilla (1998)

Hollywood’s first attempt at adapting Godzilla by director Roland Emmerich (Independence Day). This “Zilla” does look more like a dinosaur, doesn't have atomic breath, and isn't as big as other Godzillas; sometimes its size even changes depending on the scene. However, if you need entertainment with the giant monsters attacking skyscrapers in it, there's nothing wrong with watching this film again.

18. Colossal

Lastly, if you are looking for something with more drama and comedy elements, there is this one. This 2016-released movie tells the story of Gloria, played by Anne Hathaway (Catwoman, The Dark Knight Rises), a woman whose life is in disarray. One day a mysterious giant creature appears in South Korea and somehow mimics all of Gloria’s movements. 

These 18 Hollywood film titles are arguably the best giant monster-themed American films that you can watch with friends and family. Which ones have you watched and are your favorites? 

Read Also >> 7 Scariest Monsters in Resident Evil Series. What’s Your Favorite?

Written by Sidharta F. Rasidi: Twitter @StoPlayinGame