Hyperbolic as it sounds, I believe Godzilla's popularity in the 1950s and 1960s opened Japanese pop culture to the world, stomping the door down for Pokémon, anime, Japanese horror, and even Nintendo video games. But in a very direct way, Godzilla also created an entirely new genre: the "kaiju" movie. Translated literally as "strange beast," the kaiju movie (of which there are many great examples) is more than just a "giant monster movie." It's a bizarre yet beautiful blend of creativity and chaos, celebrating the apex of human imagination. It's also just really freaking fun.

Godzilla launched this genre in 1954, and has been "The King of the Monsters" ever since. But if you have made your way through the entire Godzilla franchise, and are feeling a kaiju-sized void in your life, have no fear, you have come to the right place. As an expert on Godzilla, I'm here to...