GODZILLA: American Home Video - VHS, Beta, CED, Laserdiscs, & More!

GODZILLA/TOHO AMERICAN VHS (1983-2002):

download PDF of GODZILLA COMPLETE HOME VIDEO GUIDE at The Sphinx Godzilla Guides PDF page!

_______________________________

This list is under continual revision, and I welcome any corrections or additional information, which will be added to future editions. 

Why collect Godzilla VHS tapes?

Firstly, Godzilla VHS releases are a Godzilla collectible! But amazingly, many of these tapes contain alternate dubs, title cards, and other elements that are STILL not officially available at all on DVD or Blu-Ray.  It's sad but true! Also, some contain some pretty awesome artwork, and some are appealing for their lack of awesome artwork...
I've accounted for over 180 on this list. Here are 3 sketchy ones I still need & will gladly buy if you have them (list here).

GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS

1) Vestron, 1983 [1st official US release, SP, first legit Godzilla VHS?]
2) Vestron, 1988 (variant of #1)

3) Paramount, 1992 (original painting for cover)
4) GoodTimes, 1995
5) KOTM/Megalon "Collector Series" 2-pack - GoodTimes, 1996
6) KOTM/Megalon "Monster Two Pack" - GoodTimes, 1996 [side-loading box]
7) Simitar, 1998 (plain black box, sold standalone, in 3-pack, 5-pack)
8) Simitar, 1998 "Special Edition" greenish-black box (this version was sold in a TV offer, and you can see the commercial on YouTube!)
9) Simitar, 1998 ("dig remastered," colorful box)
10) Simitar, 1998 (Blockbuster version of #7, includes poster)
11) Classic Media, 2002 [last Godzilla VHS made?]

GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN

1) Video Treasures, 1989 (matte box, printed tape)
variant: 1990 (as #1, glossy box, label on tape)
both tapes feature rare print with GIGANTIS title card

KING KONG vs. GODZILLA

1) GoodTimes, 1987
2) GoodTimes, 1998 (clamshell box)
3) GoodTimes, 1998 (release of above in standard box)

GODZILLA vs. THE THING

1) Paramount, 1989
2) Paramount, 1989 (rental variant, extra Paramount logo in lower-left, different text spacings)
3) Paramount, 1994 (original painting for cover)
4) Simitar, 1998 (plain black box, sold standalone, in 5-pack)
5) Simitar, 1998 (colorful box, SP)
6) Simitar, 1998 ("dig remastered," widescreen; sold standalone & in Widescreen 3-pack)
7) Simitar, 1998 (Blockbuster version of #4, includes poster)
Simitar prints feature "GODZILLA vs THE THING" title cards

GHIDRAH, THE THREE HEADED MONSTER

1) Beech/Videoline, no date
2) Film Classics (VCII, dated as "1980")
3) Prism Entertainment, 1985 (unique clamshell)
4) Video Images ("A Video Yesteryear Recording"), 1987
5) Video Treasures, 1988 (matte box, label on tape)
variant: glossy box with printed tape [otherwise boxes identical]
6) Silver Screen Video, 1991 (triple-feature tape with MEGALON + non-Godzilla movie)
7) Anchor Bay, 1997 (sold standalone & in BIGGEST BATTLES box set)

MONSTER ZERO

1) Paramount, 1988 (1st US release; SP)
2) Paramount, 1988 (rental variant; Paramount logo and text differences)
3) Simitar, 1990 (original drawing for cover)
4) Paramount, 1994 (original painting for cover)
5) Simitar, 1998 (plain black box, sold standalone, in 5-pack)
6) Simitar, 1998 (colorful box, SP)
7) Simitar, 1998 ("dig remastered," widescreen; sold standalone & in Widescreen 3-pack)
8) Simitar, 1998 (Blockbuster version of #5, includes poster)

GODZILLA vs. THE SEA MONSTER

1) Beech (Videoline), no date
2) Neon Video (copy of Beech), 1988
3) Video Treasures, 1987 (label on tape)

variant: 1989 box, printed tape
4) GoodTimes, 1992
5) GoodTimes, 1997 (2-pack with MEGALON)
6) GoodTimes, 1998 (standard box)
7) MEGALON/SEA MONSTER - GoodTimes, 2001 (double-feature tape with MEGALON, clamshell)
8) Hollywood Home Theatre (bootleg of below?)
9) Hollywood Home Theatre (Budget Video, 1980)
tapes feature American (Titra) dub, unavailable on DVD

SON OF GODZILLA

1) Video Treasures, 1987 (label on tape)

variant #1: 1989 box, printed tape (tape says 1988)

variant #2: no year on box, printed tape (tape says 1988)
2) Anchor Bay, 1997 (sold standalone & in BIGGEST BATTLES box set)
3) Videoline (date unknown? USA?)
4) Hollywood Home Theatre (Budget Video, 1980)
tapes feature American (Titra) dub, unavailable on DVD

DESTROY ALL MONSTERS
1) ADV, 1998 (purple sky background)
variant: same box with white videocassette

2) ADV, 1998 (red sky background - Suncoast Video only?)

3) ADV, 1998 (red sky background - "Sample Copy For Promotional Use Only," white videocassette is stamped "DESTROY ALL MONSTERS - SCREENER")
tapes are letterboxed, and feature Toho's International dub of film

GODZILLA'S REVENGE

1) Simitar, 1990 (original drawing for cover)
2) Paramount, 1992 (original painting for cover)
3) Simitar, 1998 (plain black box, sold standalone, in 5-pack)
4) Simitar, 1998 (colorful box, SP)
5) Simitar, 1998 ("dig remastered," widescreen; sold standalone & in Widescreen 3-pack)
6) Simitar, 1998 (Blockbuster version of #4 with poster)

GODZILLA vs. THE SMOG MONSTER

1) "Screener Tape" - Orion Home Video, 1989
2) Orion Home Video, 1989
3) Simitar, 1990 (original drawing for cover)
tapes feature American (AIP) dub, unavailable on DVD

GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND/GODZILLA vs. GIGAN

1) New World Video, 1988
2) Starmaker, 1992 (rerelease of New World)
3) 2-pack with MECHAGODZILLA (light gray box) Starmaker, 1993
4) 2-pack with MECHAGODZILLA (black box) Starmaker, 1995
5) Anchor Bay, 1997 (sold standalone & in BIGGEST BATTLES box set)

Honorable mention: GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND (Family Tyme, 1989), one of 3 tapes released in Canada that contain the U.S. Cinema Shares print of GIGAN! 

GODZILLA vs. MEGALON
the most bootlegged movie ever?

1) Crown Movie Classics (no date, "B&W" & wrongly shows Mechagodzilla!)

2) Variant of above, in generic Crown Movie Classics side-loading box 

3) GoodTimes, 1985 (movie poster cover)
4) Viking Entertainment, 1985 (cursive title, 1954 still used for art; front is blue, back is mauve: do not mistake for two different releases)

variant (shown, above): front is green, back is brown

5) Vintage Video, 1985 (movie poster cover)

6) Star Classics, 1985 ("big box" with gatefold, gray; Mechagodzilla on front!) variant: non-gatefold box (top-loading)

7) Star Classics, 1985 (standard box, yellow; Mechagodzilla on front!)
8) Star Classics, 1985 (colorized 1954 still on cover)
9) Video Treasures, 1985?
10) Video Treasures, 1986 (WHITE titles; label says "MEGELON")

11) Video Treasures, 1986 (BLACK titles; different address on back)

12) MEGALON/THE SNOW CREATURE - GoodTimes, 1986 (double-feature tape) (label is blank with lines; says 1985 or 1990)

13) United American Video Corporation (G vs Mothra art on cover) Box dated 1986, tape is dated 1988

14) XYZ Video, Inc. (no date on box, "Movie Favorites" in transparent stripe, label says "XYZ Video Inc, 1987")

known label variants (w/ same box): Trans-Atlantic Video, 1987

Trans-Atlantic Video, 1989

Trans-Atlantic Video, 1990

15) Parade Video, 1987 ("Nightmares Series, Volume 4")

16) Troy Gold, 1988 (Tape says Burbank Video)

17) New Age Video, 1988
18) "Popcorn Classics" (New Age Video, 1988) included a packet of microwave popcorn
19) Congress Video, 1989 (with yet another 1954 cover)

20) Home Video Syndications, 1989 (dates movie as "1955")
21) Trans-Atlantic Video, 1990 ("Movie Favorites" in brown stripe)
22) Diamond Entertainment, 1991 ("Movie Favorites" in transparent stripe)

23) Silver Screen Video, 1991 (triple-feature tape with GHIDRAH + non-Godzilla movie)
24) Alpha Video, 1993 (same as New Age Video)

25) Burbank Video, 1993 (reversed movie poster artwork)

26) Alpha Video, 1994 (movie poster w/ "Giant Against Giant")
27) UAV, 1994 (stylized art cover; sold standalone? & in 2-pack box with COSMIC)
28) MEGALON/GODZILLA 1985 - Starmaker, 1995 (2-pack set)

29) GoodTimes, 1996

30) MEGALON/KOTM - GoodTimes, 1996 ("Collector Series" 2-pack set)
31) MEGALON/KOTM - GoodTimes 1996 ("Monster Two Pack" side-loading box)

32) MEGALON/SEA MONSTER - GoodTimes, 1997 (2-pack set)
33) Anchor Bay, 1997 (also sold in one version of BIGGEST BATTLES box)
34) UAV, 1998 (painted cover, clamshell box)
35) Front Row Entertainment, 1998
36) UAV, 1998 (flames w/ "original live-action classic") sold standalone & in boxed set with MONSTERS IN THE MOVIES: GODZILLAMANIA
37) UAV, 1998 (painted cover as #30, standard box; sold standalone & in 2-pack box with COSMIC)
38) MEGALON/SEA MONSTER - GoodTimes, 2001 (double-feature tape, clamshell)

39) MEGALON/GORGO - Matinee Theater, no date (big box)

GODZILLA vs. THE COSMIC MONSTER/GODZILLA vs. MECHAGODZILLA

1) New World Video, 1988
2) UAV, 1988 (movie poster art over orange box)
3) Starmaker, 1992 (rerelease of New World)
4) GoodTimes, 1993 (original painting cover)*
5) 2-pack with GIGAN (light gray box) Starmaker, 1993
6) UAV, 1994 (stylized art cover; sold standalone & in 2-pack box with MEGALON)
7) Starmaker, 1995 (2-pack with GIGAN (black box)
8) Anchor Bay, 1997 (sold standalone & in BIGGEST BATTLES box set)
9) UAV, 1998 (painted cover, clamshell box)
10) UAV, 1998 (as #9, but standard box)
11)Brentwood Home Video, 1998 (2-pack box with KING OF ALL MONSTERS documentary)*
*these releases feature original "COSMIC MONSTER" title card and print

THE TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA

1) Paramount, 1989 (International poster art for cover)
2) Paramount, 1989 (rental variant; Paramount logo and text differences)
2) Paramount, 1992 (original painting for cover)
3) Simitar, 1998 (plain black box, sold standalone, in 3-pack, 5-pack)
4) Simitar, 1998 ("dig remastered," colorful box, SP)
5) Simitar, 1998 (Blockbuster version of #4 with poster)

GODZILLA 1985

1) New World Video, 1986 (SP; no barcode)
2) New World Video, 1986 (variant with barcode)
3) Starmaker, 1992 (re-release of New World)
4) MEGALON/GODZILLA 1985 - Starmaker, 1996 (2-pack set)
5) Anchor Bay, 1997 (sold standalone & in BIGGEST BATTLES box set)
all tapes feature American version of film, which is unavailable on DVD

GODZILLA vs. BIOLLANTE

1) HBO Video "Screener," 10/12/92
2) HBO Video, 1992 (SP)

GODZILLA vs. KING GHIDORA

1) Columbia/TriStar, 1998

2) Revision of above with "GHIDORAH" (1998; note that spelling is corrected everywhere on the box, but the tape label is unchanged!)

GODZILLA vs. MOTHRA

1) Columbia/TriStar, 1998

GODZILLA vs. MECHAGODZILLA

1) Columbia/TriStar, 1998

GODZILLA vs. SPACEGODZILLA

1) Columbia/TriStar, 1999

GODZILLA vs. DESTOROYAH

1) Columbia/TriStar, 1999

GODZILLA 2000

1) VDI Multimedia, dated 8/23/00; time-coded demo
2) Columbia/TriStar, 2000 (promotional copy with blank space on back for Order & Street Dates)
3) Columbia/TriStar, 2000 (embossed cover)

BOXED SETS (included tapes are mentioned individually above):

GODZILLA "BIGGEST BATTLES" BOX SET (Anchor Bay, 1997) Two versions made:

Godzilla vs. Gigan
Godzilla 1985
Ghidrah the Three Headed Monster
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Son of Godzilla

Godzilla vs. Megalon
Godzilla vs. Gigan
Godzilla 1985
Ghidrah the Three Headed Monster
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

spines (and fronts) of videos form a "mural," here are all 6 together!

SPECIAL PURCHASE 5 TAPE SET

Includes 5 sealed SP tapes, shrinkwrapped together in a brick. No box.

GODZILLA "5 RAMPAGING MOVIES" BOX SET (Simitar, 1998)

King of the Monsters
Godzilla vs. Mothra (The Thing)
Godzilla vs. Monster Zero
Godzilla's Revenge
Terror of Mechagodzilla
tapes are "black box" EP-speed versions, which were also sold separately

GODZILLA "5 RAMPAGING MOVIES" BOX SET (Simitar, 1998)

Blockbuster version of boxed set, included poster

GODZILLA "3 TAPE SET" (Simitar, 1998)

King of the Monsters
Terror of Mechagodzilla
Godzilla Trailers & Sci-Fi Monsters
tapes are "black box" EP-speed versions, which were also sold separately

GODZILLA "WIDESCREEN COLLECTION" (Simitar, 1998)

Godzilla vs. Mothra (The Thing)
Godzilla vs. Monster Zero
Godzilla's Revenge
Digitally Remastered and SP speed; tapes also sold separately


GODZILLA "2 VIDEO COLLECTOR'S SET" (UAV, 1997-98)

Godzilla vs. Megalon
Godzilla vs. the Cosmic Monster
included here because of discrepancy:  box dated 1997, shows contents as 1994 "stylized" artwork versions; my box contained the tapes with their 1998 painted artwork versions!

GODZILLA "SPECIAL EDITON COLLECTOR'S SET" (Gemstone Entertainment, 1998)

Godzilla vs. Megalon (UAV, 1998 "Flames")

Monsters In the Movies: Godzillamania (Gemstone Entertainment, regular box, 1998)

Tapes also sold separately.

OTHER GODZILLA VIDEOS:

1) THE FIRE BIRD (Kids Klassics, 1987) Hanna-Barbera animated series
2) BAMBI MEETS GODZILLA & OTHER WEIRD CARTOONS (Rhino Video, 1987; tape dated 1989)

3) WEIRD CARTOONS: THE SPECIAL EDITION (Rhino Video, 1987; "Bambi Meets Godzilla" cover)

4) INVASION EARTH (New World Video, 1987; SP)

5) HOLLYWOOD DINOSAUR CHRONICLES (Rhino, 1990; 1987 program)

6) HOLLYWOOD DINOSAURS (Video Treasures, 1991)

7) INVASION EARTH (Starmaker, 1991)
8)FANTASTIC DINOSAURS OF THE MOVIES (GoodTimes, 1992)
9) HOLLYWOOD'S DINOSAURS (Marathon, 1995, rerelease of Video Treasures)

10) GODZILLA and OTHER MOVIE MONSTERS (Passport Video, 1998; 2 tapes in double box)

11) MONSTERS IN THE MOVIES: GODZILLAMANIA (Gemstone Entertainment, 1998) regular box (sold standalone & in boxed set with UAV 1998 "Flames" MEGALON)

12) MONSTERS IN THE MOVIES: GODZILLAMANIA (clamshell box version of above, 1998)

13) GODZILLA TRAILERS & SCI-FI MONSTERS (Simitar, 1998; sold standalone and in 3-pack box set)

14) GODZILLA vs THE COSMIC MONSTER/KING OF ALL MONSTERS (Brentwood Home Video, 1998; 2-pack)

15) FANTASTIC DINOSAURS OF THE MOVIES (GoodTimes, 2000 reissue as part of 5-pack box set called DINOSAURS)

OTHER TOHO KAIJU on VHS:

RODAN
1) Vestron, 1983 (1st release, SP)
2) Video Treasures, 1988
3) Paramount, 1992 (original painting for cover)

THE MYSTERIANS
1) Star Classics, 1989 (artwork from color production stills)
2) VCI, 1989 (clamshell case)
tapes contain the American (RKO) dub, unavailable on DVD

VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE
1) VCI, 1990
2) VCI, 1994
tapes contain the American version of the film, unavailable on official DVD

MOTHRA
1) RCA/Columbia, 1983 (tape says 1988)

2) RCA/Columbia, 1986 (Hi-Fi VHS version, side-opening box)
3) GoodTimes, 1988 (crude cartoon cover)
4) GoodTimes, 1988 (red title)
5) Columbia/TriStar, 1993 (green title)

GORATH (listed here for Magma, of course)
1) Congress Video, 1985
2) Video Gems, 1985 ("big box," foil)
3) Prism, 1986 (side-opening box)
tapes contain the American edit of the film

WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS
1) Paramount, 1992 (original painting for cover)

DAGORA [DOGORA], THE SPACE MONSTER

Honorable mention: Video Yesteryear, "March of the Monsters, Vol. 2"

YOG, MONSTER FROM SPACE

1) Trans-Atlantic Video, 1987
2) Diamond Entertainment, 1991
2) Vintage Video, 1988 ("Grampa [Munster] Presents")
3) Gee Video (unknown, date unknown? USA? bootleg?)
tapes apparently contain the American (AIP) dub, unavailable on DVD

MOTHRA (REBIRTH OF MOTHRA)
1) Columbia/TriStar, 1998

MOTHRA 2 (REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 2)
1) Columbia/TriStar, 1998

OTHER TOHO:

HALF HUMAN
1) Rhino, 1990
2) Englewood Home Video, 1998
Note:  Although the American version of this film is the only version ever to be released on home video-- probably anywhere in the world—it has never had a subsequent release since these tapes!

THE H-MAN
1) RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video, 1988

2) Columbia/Tristar, 1988

THE HUMAN VAPOR
1) Congress Video, 1985

2) Video Gems, 1985 ("big box," foil)

3) Prism, 1986

MATANGO (ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE)

1) Something Weird Video. 1996 (Hey, it's technically a bootleg, but who else kept this film alive and available?)

GODZILLA/TOHO BETAMAX

Information on any Beta tapes is very hard to find at all, but here are the existing Beta releases that I know of (this information is also included in the PDF download):

1) GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS (Vestron, 1983)

2) GODZILLA vs. MOTHRA (Paramount, 1983)

3) GODZILLA vs. MONSTER ZERO (Paramount, 1983)

4) GODZILLA vs. MEGALON (Crown Movie Classics, 198?)

5) TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (Paramount, 1983)

6) GODZILLA 1985 (New World Video, 1985)

7) RODAN (Vestron, 1983)

8) VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE (VCI, 198?) 

9) THE HUMAN VAPOR (Video Gems, 1985)

10) GORATH (Video Gems, 1985)

11) MOTHRA (RCA/Columbia, 1983, wrap-around, side-loading box)

GODZILLA CED 

(Capacitance Electronic Disc)

GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS

CED - Vestron Video, 1983 (click for article)

RODAN

CED - Vestron Video, 1983 (click for article)

GODZILLA 1985

CED - New World Video, 1986 (click for article)

GODZILLA/TOHO Laserdiscs

The good news for collectors is: there weren't very many Godzilla films released on laserdisc in the USA.  (Japan is a very different story, however.)  

Many photos are "placeholders" and will be upgraded as needed.

GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS

Vestron, 1983

Paramount/Pioneer, 1994

RODAN

Vestron Video, 1983

Paramount/Pioneer, 1994

                                            

GODZILLA vs. MOTHRA

Paramount/Pioneer, 1994

GODZILLA  vs. MONSTER ZERO

Paramount/Pioneer, 1995

WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS

Paramount/Pioneer, 1994

GODZILLA'S REVENGE

Paramount/Pioneer, 1994

GODZILLA vs. THE SMOG MONSTER

Orion Home Video, 1989 (double-set with MONSTER FROM A PREHISTORIC PLANET)

GODZILLA vs. GIGAN

GODZILLA vs. MECHAGODZILLA

New World Video, 1989

TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA

Paramount/Pioneer, 1995

GODZILLA 1985

New World Video, 1985

GODZILLA vs. BIOLLANTE

Dimension-HBO Video/Pioneer, 1993

GODZILLA-RELATED:

New World Video/Image, 1988

The above ad appeared in video magazines in the 1990's, and was an announcement that there would be six Godzilla laserdisc releases in the Criterion Collection, including GOJIRA in the U.S. for the first time! Sadly, they never saw the light of day, and were cancelled (although the remaining five would see laserdisc release through Paramount, as we saw above).  It would be many more years before Godzilla would finally appear in a Criterion Collection!

GODZILLA on CD-ROM

A category of one, and it's, um, really bad.  Alpha Video took advantage of the growing home computer market to offer CD-ROM versions of several of their public domain titles for a short time.  It’s without a doubt the single worst piece of Godzilla home video in existence.  Of course we realize the limitations of a 386 computer running Windows 3.1 (which this called for). However, the “professionally mastered” and “high resolution” product on this disc makes the old Real Player look like real life.  Not only is the print cropped and marred with continual lines, damage, and even burn marks, but the audio is a complete mess as well.  It’s that bad.

GODZILLA vs. MEGALON

Chestnut/CDRP, Inc. [Alpha Video], 1994

detailed review at this post

GODZILLA on DVD-ROM

Simitar's DVD-ROM titles came in jewel cases in oversized software boxes ("big boxes") and were otherwise identical to their DVD counterparts, in that they included screen savers, a printable art gallery, a trivia game, etc. Basically, movies sold at a software store:

GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS

Simitar, 1998

GODZILLA vs. MOTHRA

Simitar, 1998

GODZILLA  vs. MONSTER ZERO

Simitar, 1998

GODZILLA on UMD

Another category of one.  UMD was the short-lived format developed by Sony for the PlayStation Portable. The 2.5" discs were housed in a plastic shell, with a window beneath that allowed the discs to be read.  They were unpopular with consumers, and vanished quickly.

GODZILLA FINAL WARS

Sony, 2005

Continue to the Godzilla American DVD/Blu-Ray page

Download a PDF book of this guide at the top of this page!

Please send me any corrections/additions/clarifications, and enjoy!