Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

With Godzilla and Pacific Rim coming out (or out while reading this), I've been trying to introduce more of my extended friends to the franchise. I've come up with a list of films which are ranked and sectioned as follows:

1) What tells a complete story (while keeping the total number of films low)?

2) Provide the best context for a remake or a recycled character. I.E, a person needs to know who Mothra, King Ghidorah or Mechagodzilla are before you show them a character/movie remake.

3) Stacked according to quality of those film series, but only after considering options 1 and 2.

Ultimately I'd like to add story synopsis and context for each section of films. That way when someone new to the series reads the list, they can know what to expect and what movies need to be considered/ignored for the plot to make sense.

Here's the list of films:

Godzilla Character Trilogy

Godzilla (Godzilla, King of the Monsters) [1954]
The Return of Godzilla (Godzilla 1985) [1984]
Godzilla vs. Biollante [1989]

King Ghidorah and Mothra Saga

Mothra vs. Godzilla [1964]
Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster [1964]
Invasion of Astro-Monster (Godzilla vs. Monster Zero) [1965]
Destroy All Monsters [1968]

Modern Throwback

Godzilla, Mothra & King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack [2001]

Original Mechagodzilla(s)

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla [1974]
Terror of Mechagodzilla [1975]

Best of Heisei (Remaining)

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah [1991]
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2 [1993]
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah [1995]

Mechagodzilla Remakes

Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla [2002]
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. [2003]

70s Action Star!

Godzilla vs. Hedorah (Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster) [1971]
Godzilla vs. Gigan [1972]

Godzilla's Island Adventure!

Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster) [1966]
Son of Godzilla [1967]
All Monsters Attack (Godzilla's Revenge) [1969]

'Honoring' the Franchise

Godzilla: Final Wars [2004]

More Reboots?

Godzilla 2000: Millennium (Godzilla 2000) [1999]
Godzilla vs. Megaguirus [2000]

Remaining Showa Films

Godzilla Raids Again [1955]
King Kong vs. Godzilla [1962]

Worst of Heisei (Remaining)

Godzilla vs. Mothra (Godzilla & Mothra: The Battle for Earth) [1992]
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla [1994]

Jet Jaguar!

Godzilla vs. Megalon [1973]

Now You Understand the Pain

GODZILLA [1998]


Thoughts on the list?

I tend to just show everything in chronological order if possible, in order to give a clear sense of the historical development of the series.

I would certainly never wait so long to show people King Kong vs. Godzilla or Godzilla vs. Hedorah, since those both show off such unique tones; they really help give a sense of how broadly the concept of Godzilla can be applied.

I like this list you put together, for me if i was introductioning someone to Godzilla i`d start with Final wars as its the A.D.D action flick of Godzilla movies in my opinion. Then show them something far better while explaining why Final wars ani`t that great.