Destroy All Monsters

怪獣総進撃

19681h 29m Directed by Ishirō Honda
6.9
(260 votes)
Science FictionAction

Overview

At the turn of the century, all of the Earth's monsters have been rounded up and kept safely on Monsterland. Chaos erupts when a race of she-aliens known as the Kilaaks unleash the monsters across the world.

Destroy All Monsters

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CAST

Akira Kubo
Akira Kubo
Katsuo Yamabe
Jun Tazaki
Jun Tazaki
Dr. Yoshido
Yukiko Kobayashi
Yukiko Kobayashi
Kyoko Manabe
Yoshio Tsuchiya
Yoshio Tsuchiya
Dr. Otani
Chōtarō Tōgin
Chōtarō Tōgin
Ogata
Yoshibumi Tajima
Yoshibumi Tajima
General
Kenji Sahara
Kenji Sahara
Commander Nishikawa
Heihachirō Ōkawa
Heihachirō Ōkawa
Engineer
Kyôko Ai
Kilaak Queen
Andrew Hughes
Dr. Stevenson

A Monstrous Mashup of Chaos and Delight

WatchListHQSep 10, 2025
The 1968 Japanese science fiction film "Destroy All Monsters" is a wildly entertaining and visually stunning addition to the kaiju genre, bringing together a vast array of iconic monsters in a battle for global supremacy. The movie's central premise, which involves a group of she-aliens known as the Kilaaks taking control of the Earth's monsters and unleashing them on major cities around the world, is a clever commentary on the fears of the time, including the threat of alien invasion and the dangers of unchecked technological advancement. With its colorful characters, impressive special effects, and breakneck pacing, "Destroy All Monsters" is a must-see for fans of classic science fiction and monster movies.

The film's greatest strength lies in its ability to balance action, humor, and spectacle, creating a viewing experience that is both thrilling and lighthearted. The special effects, which include a mix of suitmation, miniatures, and pyrotechnics, hold up remarkably well even today, with the monsters themselves being beautifully designed and realized. From the mighty Godzilla to the diminutive but deadly Minilla, each creature is given its moment to shine, and their interactions with each other and the human characters are often hilarious and unpredictable. The human cast, which includes a team of scientists and military personnel, is somewhat one-dimensional, but they serve their purpose in advancing the plot and providing a sense of scale and stakes to the monster mayhem.

Despite its many charms, "Destroy All Monsters" is not without its flaws. The plot is somewhat disjointed, with characters and subplots being introduced and then quickly discarded. The Kilaaks, who are the main villains of the piece, are also somewhat underdeveloped, with their motivations and backstory being sketchy at best. Additionally, the film's themes of international cooperation and the dangers of playing with forces beyond human control are not fully explored, and the movie's conclusion feels somewhat rushed and convenient. Nevertheless, these flaws are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a joyous and entertaining celebration of science fiction and monster movie excess. With its unique blend of action, humor, and spectacle, "Destroy All Monsters" is a film that is sure to delight both longtime fans of the genre and newcomers alike, and its influence can still be seen in many modern science fiction and fantasy films.

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