The Most Popular Monster Movie, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the monster movie you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 5, 2024 06:43
In a world filled with cinematic portrayals of mythical beasts and otherworldly creatures, the monster movie genre consistently captivates audiences with its blend of horror, suspense, and often, thrilling action. Determining which of these films stands out as a crowd favorite can enhance the viewing experience by guiding new fans to critically acclaimed titles and rekindling discussions among long-time enthusiasts.
By participating in voting for the top monster films, viewers contribute to a dynamic list that reflects the collective opinion of an international audience. This active involvement not only helps in ranking these movies but also fosters a sense of community among those who share a passion for this thrilling genre. Casting a vote can also lead to discovering lesser-known films that deserve wider recognition.
What Is the Most Popular Monster Movie?
-
164votesThis classic monster movie has spawned numerous sequels and remakes, making it one of the most popular and enduring monster franchises of all time. Its iconic titular creature has become a cultural icon and has even crossed over into other media such as comics, video games, and television.Godzilla (1954) is a Japanese monster film that is considered the original and most iconic installment in the Godzilla franchise. It is a black and white film directed by IshirÅ Honda and produced by Tomoyuki Tanaka. The film tells the story of a prehistoric sea monster called Godzilla, awakened and irradiated by atomic bomb testing in the Pacific Ocean. The creature goes on a path of destruction, wreaking havoc in Tokyo. The film explores the themes of nuclear weapons, humanity's destructive nature, and the fear of the unknown.
- Title: Godzilla
- Year: 1954
- Country: Japan
- Language: Japanese
- Runtime: 96 minutes
-
248votesAnother classic monster movie, King Kong tells the story of a giant ape who is captured and brought to New York City, where he wreaks havoc before meeting his tragic end. The film has been remade several times, most recently in 2017, and remains a beloved and influential entry in the monster movie genre.King Kong (1933) is a classic American monster film that tells the story of a gigantic gorilla named Kong who lives on a secluded island. When a filmmaking crew discovers Kong and takes him back to New York City, chaos ensues as the creature escapes and wreaks havoc upon the city.
- Release Date: March 2, 1933
- Running Time: 104 minutes
- Director: Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack
- Producer: Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack
- Production Company: RKO Radio Pictures
King Kong (1933) in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Kaiju movie
-
329votesWhile not necessarily a traditional monster movie, Jaws is nonetheless one of the most popular and iconic films in the genre. Its titular great white shark terrorizes a New England beach town, leading to a tense and thrilling showdown between man and beast. The film's impact on popular culture cannot be overstated, and it remains a classic to this day.Jaws (1975) is a blockbuster horror film directed by Steven Spielberg. It is based on Peter Benchley's novel of the same name. The movie follows the terrifying encounters of a small seaside town plagued by a giant man-eating great white shark. As the tension rises, a group of unlikely heroes must come together to hunt down and kill the deadly predator before it claims more victims.
- Budget: $9 million
- Release date: June 20, 1975
- Genre: Horror/Thriller
- Running time: 124 minutes
- Box office: $470.7 million
-
49votesBased on the classic novel by Mary Shelley, Frankenstein tells the story of a mad scientist who creates a monster out of various body parts. The film's imagery and themes have become deeply ingrained in popular culture, and the character of Frankenstein's monster has become a fixture of the horror genre.Frankenstein (1931) is a classic monster movie based on Mary Shelley's novel. The film portrays the tragic story of Dr. Henry Frankenstein, a scientist obsessed with creating life. After successfully reanimating a cobbled-together body, he brings his creation to life, only to face the consequences of playing god. The movie is notable for its eerie atmosphere, iconic portrayal of Frankenstein's monster, and influential impact on the horror genre.
- Release date: November 21, 1931
- Running time: 71 minutes
- Production company: Universal Pictures
- Budget: $291,000
- Box office: $12 million
-
513votes
Universal Pictures · Public domainThe Wolf Man (1941)
Directed by George WaggnerThis Universal Studios classic stars Lon Chaney Jr. as a man who is cursed to transform into a werewolf. The film's iconic makeup and effects have become synonymous with the werewolf subgenre, and its influence can be seen in countless other films and media.The Wolf Man (1941) is a classic monster movie that depicts the tragic tale of a man who becomes cursed and transforms into a werewolf. The film explores themes of fear, identity, and the battle between good and evil. Directed by George Waggner, it is regarded as one of the defining films in the Universal Classic Monsters series.- Release Date: December 12, 1941
- Running Time: 70 minutes
- Starring: Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, Bela Lugosi
- Genre: Horror
- Production Company: Universal Pictures
-
613votesAnother classic Universal monster movie, Dracula stars Bela Lugosi as the titular vampire. The film's depiction of the suave and seductive Count Dracula has become iconic, and the character remains one of the most enduring and popular in horror fiction.Dracula (1931) is a classic monster movie that is based on the novel 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. It is considered one of the most popular and influential vampire films in cinema history. The film follows the story of Count Dracula, a centuries-old vampire, who moves from Transylvania to London to spread his curse of the undead.
- Release Date: February 14, 1931
- Running Time: 75 minutes
- Starring: Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, David Manners, Dwight Frye
- Production Company: Universal Pictures
- Country: United States
-
711votes
Reynold Brown · Public domainThis Universal horror film tells the story of a group of scientists who discover a mysterious creature living in the depths of the Amazon. The film's iconic design for the titular creature has become a classic of the genre, and its influence can be seen in numerous other monster movies.The Creature from the Black Lagoon is a classic American monster horror film released in 1954. It tells the story of a scientific expedition that discovers a prehistoric amphibious creature, referred to as the Gill-man, living in the depths of the Amazon River. The creature becomes infatuated with one of the team members and begins to stalk and attack the expedition, leading to a thrilling battle for survival.- Film Release Year: 1954
- Genre: Horror
- Creature Name: Gill-man
- Setting: Amazon River
- Principal Cast: Richard Carlson, Julia Adams, Richard Denning
-
89votes
The Thing (1982)
John CarpenterJohn Carpenter's sci-fi horror masterpiece tells the story of a group of scientists in Antarctica who are hunted by a shape-shifting alien. The film's special effects and tense atmosphere have made it a cult classic, and its influence can be seen in numerous other horror and sci-fi films.The Thing (1982) is a science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter. It is a remake of the 1951 film 'The Thing from Another World' and is based on the 1938 novella 'Who Goes There?' by John W. Campbell Jr. The movie follows a group of researchers in Antarctica who encounter an extraterrestrial creature that can assimilate other life forms and imitate them perfectly.- Release Year: 1982
- Genre: Science Fiction, Horror
- Director: John Carpenter
- Based on: Novella: 'Who Goes There?' by John W. Campbell Jr.
- Remake of: Film: 'The Thing from Another World' (1951)
-
99votesRidley Scott's sci-fi horror classic features one of the most iconic monsters in cinema history: the titular alien. The film's claustrophobic atmosphere and suspenseful pacing have made it a classic of the genre, and its influence can be seen in numerous other sci-fi and horror films.Alien (1979) is a renowned science fiction horror film that follows the story of a commercial space tug's crew who encounter a deadly extraterrestrial creature. As the crew members become prey to the creature, they must fight for their survival in the dark and claustrophobic corridors of their spaceship.
- Release Date: May 25, 1979
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Writer: Dan O'Bannon
- Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright
- Genre: Science Fiction, Horror
-
101votesThis found-footage monster movie tells the story of a group of young people in New York City who are caught in the midst of a massive monster attack. The film's innovative marketing campaign and intense, shaky-cam style have made it a modern cult classic, and its influence can be seen in numerous other found-footage films.Cloverfield (2008) is a found-footage style monster movie that follows a group of young New Yorkers as they try to survive and escape the city during a devastating attack by a colossal monster of unknown origin.
- Release Date: January 18, 2008
- Genre: Kaiju, Science Fiction, Thriller
- Director: Matt Reeves
- Running Time: 85 minutes
- Production Company: Bad Robot Productions
Missing your favorite monster movie?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular monster movie
-
Box office performanceThe movie's financial success is a key factor in determining popularity. Higher-grossing films could indicate that a large audience has watched and supported the film.
-
Cultural impactThe influence a movie has on popular culture should be taken into account. This includes elements such as catchphrases, recognizable characters, or scenes that are easily recognizable and have entered mainstream conversation.
-
Critical receptionThe consensus of professional critics and their reviews of a movie could offer insight into a movie's overall quality and popularity. This can include ratings, reviews, and any awards or nominations received.
-
Audience receptionAudience reviews and ratings can provide insight into the popularity of a movie among viewers. Websites like IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and other fan forums can be helpful sources of information.
-
Legacy and longevityThe continued success or popularity of a movie over time is important. A monster movie that maintains an enduring appeal and continues to be talked about and watched years after its release is likely more popular than a movie that was quickly forgotten.
-
Genre significanceA movie's contribution to the monster genre, whether it introduces new ideas, reinvents classic tropes, or has a unique story or presentation, could play a role in its popularity.
-
Historical context and impactThe era in which the monster movie was released could be relevant to its popularity. Some movies may be more popular because of their release during a specific time or as a result of historical events or trends.
-
Availability and accessibilityThe ease with which a movie can be accessed by audiences, such as through streaming services, television broadcasts, or home video releases, can impact its popularity.
-
Franchise potentialA movie's popularity may be influenced by its potential to spawn sequels, prequels, spin-offs, or other related media.
-
Marketing and promotionA movie's marketing campaign, including trailers, posters, and other promotional materials, can impact its popularity by generating interest and excitement among audiences.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular monster movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or monster movie is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1558 views
- 205 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each monster movie once every 24 hours. The rank of each monster movie is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular monster movie
Monster movies have been a staple of the film industry for decades, captivating audiences with thrilling and terrifying creatures that lurk in the shadows. From classic monsters like Dracula and Frankenstein to more modern creations like Godzilla and the Xenomorph from the Alien franchise, there's no shortage of iconic monsters to choose from.
Over the years, monster movies have evolved and adapted to changing cultural trends and technological advancements, resulting in a diverse range of sub-genres such as creature features, giant monster movies, and horror-comedies. Despite these changes, the popularity of monster movies has remained steadfast, with new films and franchises continuing to emerge and capture the attention of audiences around the world.
So, what is the most popular monster movie? With so many iconic creatures and franchises to choose from, it's a question that's sure to spark lively debate and discussion. Let's take a closer look at some of the contenders and see if we can determine which monster reigns supreme.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
