Plus: King Kong, Frankenstein, and More!
Official Site: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2026/series/all-kaiju-attack-all-stars
Special Thanks to Steven Sloss
The Barbican Centre in London is hosting a series of classic kaiju movie screenings that will run from mid September until early December. Each of the six films will be introduced by a genre expert. Tickets are now on sale (click on the movie titles for direct links to purchase tickets).
Read on for details...
ALL KAIJU ATTACK: ALL STARS!
Sat 29 Aug—Mon 2 Nov 2026
Barbican Centre
Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS, United Kingdom
Tickets, pricing, showtimes and more information are available at: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2026/series/all-kaiju-attack-all-stars
As GODZILLA MINUS ZERO roars on the horizon, we celebrate the biggest stars in the history of Japanese monster movies, including Ghidorah, Mothra, Rodan, King Kong – and, of course, Godzilla himself.
From giant apes to mecha-monsters, from mutated Frankenstein creatures to the Big G himself, ALL KAIJU ATTACK: ALL STARS! celebrates the craft, skill and incredible invention behind the best of kaiju.
GODZILLA MINUS ONE was an unprecedented hit, enjoying international acclaim (including the franchise’s first Academy Award win) and worldwide box office success. As its sequel, GODZILLA MINUS ZERO, stomps towards its release later this year, we are taking a look back at some of the greatest kaiju superstars to emerge from across the history of the genre.
We are proud to present the UK premieres of two of the best Godzilla films of the franchise’s underseen “Millenium” era: GODZILLA 2000: MILLENIUM and GODZILLA, MOTHRA AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK, the latter on a 35mm print.
Curated by Alex Davidson and Steven Sloss.
Photo courtesy of Barbican. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
Outdoor Cinema x All Kaiju Attack! GHIDORAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER + recorded intro by kaiju expert Steven Sloss
23 August 2026
Godzilla meets his most iconic nemesis, King Ghidorah, for the first time in this action-packed kaiju extravaganza, with thunderous support from Mothra and Rodan.
One of the best Godzilla films brings back the dream team of director Ishirō Honda, special effects maestro Eiji Tsuburaya, composer Akira Ifukube and some of Toho’s most beloved monsters – Mothra (making her third movie appearance), Rodan (his second) and the greatest adversary Godzilla ever faced, King Ghidorah, making his debut. Will Godzilla, up until now a malevolent force, battle Ghidorah and help save the earth?
The blend of fantasy and sci-fi brings alien possession and threats of world destruction. The film has some of the strongest performances of the franchise, with Akiko Wakabayashi as a possessed princess and Takashi Shimura (the lead in Akira Kurosawa’s IKIRU) as a psychiatrist. Best of all, of course, is the monster mayhem, a tremendous spectacle on our Outdoor Cinema screen.
Steven Sloss is a lifelong fan and scholar of kaiju cinema who has written and presented on the subject for the BFI, BBC, Arrow Films, Glasgow Film Festival, and more. He is the former co-host of the AV Club-featured Kaijusaurus Podcast and is currently writing a book on the original GODZILLA (1954) for Bloomsbury Publishing and the BFI.
Photo courtesy of Barbican. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
UK PREMIERE: GODZILLA, MOTHRA AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK on 35mm (dubbed) + introduction by kaiju expert Steven Sloss
29 August + 1 September 2026
Some of Toho’s greatest kaiju battle in one of the very best Godzilla films, referencing Japan’s wartime history and embracing a darker tone to brilliant effect.
Following his acclaimed revitalisation of the Gamera franchise, Shusuke Kaneko took huge risks with his first (and, to date, last) Godzilla film. In this wildly inventive monster movie, Godzilla is possessed by the souls of WWII victims, going on a terrifying rampage that inspires other kaiju – Baragon, Mothra and King Ghidorah – to rally against this threat to humanity.
Often referred to as simply GMK, the film veers into dark territory, showing the grim results of Godzilla’s wrath. The score is one of the best of the franchise, the references to Japanese history add fascinating context and the monster battle sequences are, quite simply, amazing.
ALL KAIJU ATTACK: ALL STARS! are delighted that this screening is the UK Theatrical Premiere of this film, giving you a first-time chance to see this on the big screen.
In English (dubbed)
Photo courtesy of Barbican. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
UK PREMIERE: GODZILLA 2000: MILLENNIUM + introduction by kaiju expert Steven Sloss
30 August + 22 September 2026
The Millennium Era of Godzilla movies began with this sci-fi spectacular, with the iconic kaiju combatting a new foe - an ancient, extraterrestrial UFO.
Following the negative reception of the Hollywood’s 1998 blockbuster take on Godzilla, the giant monster returned to Japan and appeared in the first of a series of kaiju movies referred to as the Millennium Era. With a new look, Godzilla roars back with a vengeance, facing one of his most intriguing foes – a UFO with the ability to absorb DNA and transform itself into another creature.
The new, intimidating design of Godzilla was hugely popular, and the monster battles are as strong as ever, with a jaw-dropping climax. An up-close encounter with Godzilla near the end is particularly chilling.
ALL KAIJU ATTACK: ALL STARS! are delighted that this screening is the UK Theatrical Premiere of this film, giving you a first-time chance to see this on the big screen.
In Japanese with English subtitles.
Photo courtesy of Barbican. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
KING KONG VS. GODZILLA (US version) + introduction
4 September + 17 October 2026
Ishirō Honda’s movie, featuring the thundering showdown of cinema’s two greatest monsters, remains the most successful Godzilla film of all time.
The third Godzilla film was the first instance of a spectacular kaiju crossover – in this case, with the most famous giant monster in cinema history, King Kong. It transformed the Godzilla franchise, which, from this point on, would see Godzilla battling other kaiju, with the fate of Japan at stake.
The Americanised version of the film features new scenes with US actors, with a greater focus on the monster battles. The final showdown, with a backdrop of Mount Fuji, is one of the most beloved of the franchise. The film’s playful tone would continue throughout the Godzilla films of the 1960s and 70s.
In English (dubbed)
Photo courtesy of Barbican. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
FRANKENSTEIN VS. BARAGON + introduction
1 October 2026
Two of Toho’s less familiar kaiju face off in this cult movie, bursting with imagination and featuring great special effects by the legendary Eiji Tsuburaya.
As with the best kaiju films, Frankenstein vs. Baragon boasts a wild, fantastic plot, involving Frankenstein’s heart being transported to Japan, resulting in the materialisation of a humanoid monster following the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima. Meanwhile, a gigantic horned beast attacks rural villages and appears to be unstoppable in its rampage. Can Frankenstein end the destruction of this new menace?
The film marks the screen debut of Baragon, who would appear sporadically across the Godzilla franchise (including GMK), becoming a fan favourite. It remains one of the kaiju films which most explicitly draws links between kaiju mayhem and nuclear warfare, while the special effects, courtesy of legendary Eiji Tsuburaya, are a joy throughout.
In Japanese with English subtitles.
Photo courtesy of Barbican. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
KING KONG ESCAPES (dubbed) + introduction
17 October 2026
Fun is at the top of the agenda in this delightful kaiju spectacle, featuring King Kong, Gorosaurus and a villain named Dr. Who. Can Kong emerge triumphant?
Following the runaway success of King Kong vs. Godzilla, Ishirō Honda took the reins once again on another Kong vehicle, one of the most colourful and delightful kaiju movies from the 1960s.
The wicked Dr. Who (no, not that one) creates a robot Mechani-Kong to do his bidding. He kidnaps the real King Kong, leading to a wild climax atop Tokyo Tower, as Kong battles Kong.
The film took inspiration from an American animated series rather than its own Toho predecessor, KING KONG VS. GODZILLA. It bursts with colour from its opening moments, and boasts a memorable villain, grand monster battles and a thrilling finale.
In English (dubbed)
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