7. The Creature from the Black Lagoon
The Creature was a late addition to Universal’s Monster line-up (the impressive movie monsters of which could have taken up this entire list had I been inclined to be closed minded). First appearing in the Creature from the Black Lagoon, this movie monster went on to star in two very good sequels. These three movies explored the Creature's possible origins as well as his moments of human behavior. What this monster is most iconic for is its design. It’s so simplistic, yet so utterly creative that the Creature’s image will never be forgotten by pop culture.
8. The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
Another classic creation of Ray Harryhausen (and Ray Bradbury since this is an adaptation of one of his stories), the Beast represents another archetype of 50s monster movies: the beast that is awaken by nuclear testing. Other than this impressive fact, the star of the 1953 film the Beast from 20,000 Fathoms is, like all of Harryhausen’s creations, a visually memorable titan.
9. The Thing
There was no shortage of extraterrestrial terrors in the 1950s. One of the best appeared in The Thing from Another World (which would later be remade by John Carpenter into an equally classic film, the Thing). With the backdrop of a quintessentially classic 50s Sci-Fi plot, the Thing, played by actor James Arness, is a lumbering extraterrestrial that stalks its Human victims after being released from a block of ice in the arctic. In true classic horror style, the Thing is most often seen from the shadows and silhouetted in doorways, making the monster that much more menacing and memorable.
6. Gamera
Originally conceived by the Japanese film studio Daiei as a rival to a monster that will be appearing later on, Gamera is a giant turtle with tusks that can breath fire and even fly by launching fire from his shell. Gamera first appeared in 1965 and starred in 8 films between then and 1980.
These films are fun, yet made on extremely small budgets, and catered to a very young demographic, so many people might now find these early adventures to be enjoyable.
However, this changed dramatically when Gamera was resurrected and starred in a brilliant trilogy directed by Shusuke Kaneko, the last entry of which (Gamera 3: Awakening of Iris, or Revenge of Iris as it’s known in the States), is, to this day, arguably the BEST Japanese monster film ever made. This trilogy created an epic of special effect spectacles and battles between monsters but also quiet, eloquently written character moments between the human cast members. This, in so many monster movies, is so unattainable, yet the 90s Gamera Trilogy does with such entertaining ease.
5. The Wolf Man
Oh, Larry Talbot. I’m not sure there’s ever been a man more tragic in the Horror genre than Larry Talbot, better known as the Wolf Man, played by Lon Chaney Jr., one of the absolute great actors in Horror cinema history. While I’d love to tell you all about the simplicity with which Chaney portrayed Larry Talbot without ever having to sacrifice the character’s potential for depth, darkness, and personal struggle (look at me getting all fancy about a monster movie), this is a list about MONSTERS.
The Wolf Man itself, given the time, and impressive creation. With makeup done by the incomparable Jack Pierce, the Wolf Man is brought to life in the 1941 Universal Horror film of the same name, and I mean that as literally as possible. That’s because the makeup for this monster is so expressive that we can really see anger, ferocity, and pain in the werewolf’s face, a real achievement at the time.
4. King Kong
The image of Kong on top of the Empire State Building is easily the most iconic moment in monster movie history. In fact everything about the 1933 film King Kong and its star is iconic. Kong is one of the first behemoth’s to ever run amok in a major metropolis as humans fled the scene. He also remains easily one of the most tragic monsters in Hollywood. He is a misunderstood giant, an outcast, whose only crime was being kidnapped from his home by a couple of people looking to make a buck. King Kong tried to hold on to the only beauty he saw in a cruel world that he desperately attempted to climb out of. But, he was gunned down and fell to his death. Brings tears to everyone’s eyes, doesn’t it?
3. Dracula
So many versions and portrayals to choose from. Who am I kidding? There is only one classic Dracula, and that’s Bela Lugosi. OK, Christopher Lee’s version is very good, a close second, but Lugosi gets this spot, and for good reason. At first glance, there is nothing overly horrifying about the Count’s first official screen appearance (sorry, Nosferatu) in 1931. However, Lugosi’s performance is perfectly precise, nuanced, and creepy, and that’s what makes his Dracula the scariest and most iconic. I’m in my twenties, and I still get shivers down my spine during repeat viewings of Dracula when Lugosi delivers certain lines. That’s a true testament to what a movie monster can and should be.
2. Frankenstein's Monster
Frankenstein’s Monster embodies everything that makes a classic movie monster. He’s frightening and iconic. This is Jack Pierce’s masterpiece. In the 1931 film Frankenstein, he created the most recognizable American monster, but also the most frightening, complete with hooded, emotionless eyes.
Boris Karloff, in his breakout and best-known role, uses stiff body language and movement to accentuate the Monster’s strangeness and inhumanity. However, the signature growl that Karloff gives the Monster is what portrays him as a dark and angry character that is not inherently evil, despite his abnormal brain, but has the potential to be so in each of his revolting and unnatural bones.
However, despite this darkness, Frankenstein’s Monster is a victim. A human, a mad scientist with a God complex, created him, but he is hated, feared, and hunted for it. The sins of the father are truly the sins of the son in this case. It’s very difficult to balance these sort of conflicting aspects of a character. Frankenstein’s Monster is, or can be evil, but he is Frankenstein’s Monster. He is not to blame. Or is he? Filmmakers have kept moviegoers guessing for decades, and no one has stopped loving it yet.
1. Godzilla
Frankenstein’s Monster and this guy fought for the top spot (quite literally considering I used action figures to decide who would be number 1). In the end, it had to be Godzilla, though.
I feel like I could write one sentence, and everyone would know why Godzilla is on this list, so let’s give it a try. Godzilla, or Gojira, is a giant monster that has Atomic (or Thermonuclear) breath, is nearly indestructible, and is a menace to Japanese metropolises and other giant monsters alike. There; I think I did a good job.
For those I didn’t convince (what’s wrong with you!), here’s why Godzilla is number one on our list, other than the preceding sentence. He is one of the most iconic movie monsters in the world, with over two dozen films under his belt. When people think of a monster destroying a city, they think of Godzilla.
What’s most impressive about Godzilla is his character. Unlike so many Western counterparts, Godzilla has agency and intelligence. He isn’t just some dumb running amok. Everything he does has purpose whether it is self-defense against an enemy or vengeance on the humanity that created him with their nuclear weapons.
I can get even more academic and start talking about how Godzilla is a metaphor for humanity’s folly, a metaphor that will never die but will always grow in strength thanks to people and their ignorance. Trust me when I say I could go on and on. I wrote a 10-page paper about the Godzilla films for a Film & Literature class a few years ago that would have gotten me an A++ in the class had the grade been allowed to be assigned to a student. I’ll keep it short, though.
It’s true that a lot of his films are schlock, and there’s nothing with that, but Godzilla, the character is so much more. Throughout his films, he has displayed an uncanny ability to evolve and grow unlike any other counterpart on this list. He has spent over 50 years in a constant flux of villainous force of evil, classic antihero, squeaky-clean superhero, and repeat. Godzilla also to possesses an empathic quality. It’s hard to explain, but I can best illustrate it up by revealing to you that I know someone who always, no matter what, cries at the end of Godzilla vs. Destroyah, the 1995 film in which Godzilla finally dies. That right there is this monster’s greatest achievement, his identifiable and the, often surprising, emotional response he achieves in viewers.
12. C.H.U.D.
This is a personal favorite of mine. Nevermind how inventive the concept of a race of monsters that are mutated humans is, the creatures that first appear in 1984’s C.H.U.D. are extremely menacing and unique looking monsters.
11. Clover
Despite the less than stellar sounding nickname, the towering beast from the 2008 film Cloverfield is an impressive looking and intriguing creation. Part of Clover’s appeal, to me, is its mystique. So much mystery still shrouds this film and its monster (or monsters according to some Internet theorists), and it not only makes for a lot of fun, but an inherent attraction to Clover.
10. Ymir
Starring in the 1957 classic, 20 Million Miles to Earth, Ymir is one of the greatest creations of special effects master Ray Harryhausen. A lot of care was obviously taken when creating Ymir. He is, without a doubt, a unique looking creature, unlike anything seen in films up to that point or even since. He also has a lot of personality, a classic example of the “misunderstood monster” that is so prevalent in Hollywood.
All Monsters Attack!
Top 12 Movie Monsters by Jesse Berberich
Everyone loves a good monster movie, and everyone loves a memorable monster. Whether they’re six feet tall or hundreds, for decades, moviegoers have voted with their wallets and shown their love for all the wonderful creature creations realized on the big screen. Here’s a list (that was excruciating to put together!) of some personal favorites and enduring monsters that have rampaged through cinema’s history.
