Movies like Return of Ultraman (1971)
The best movies like Return of Ultraman (1971) are The Primevals (2023), Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) and Gigantis, the Fire Monster (1959). If Return of Ultraman hooked you with its science fiction and fantasy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedGodzilla (1954)7.6/10 from 1,206 votes
- NewestGodzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)Released 2024
- In JapaneseGhidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964)Also in Japanese
The Primevals (2023)
Deep in the Himalayas, a group of sherpas kills a gigantic humanoid creature. Convinced that it is the legendary Yeti, Dr. Claire Collier organizes an expedition with her former student Matt Connor and hunter Rondo Montana, among others, to search for more specimens. But what awaits them is something that none of them could have imagined. A colorful fusion of real image and stop-motion that is reminiscent of fantastic films from the 1980s.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGhidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964)
After a meteorite unleashes a three-headed beast upon Tokyo, Mothra tries to unite with Godzilla and Rodan to battle the extraterrestrial threat.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGigantis, the Fire Monster (1959)
A prehistoric monster called Gigantis emerges alongside another creature named Angurus.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPacific Rim (2013)
Using massive piloted robots to combat the alien threat, Earth's survivors take the fight to the invading alien force lurking in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless enemy, the forces of mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes who now stand as Earth's final hope against the mounting apocalypse.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGodzilla vs. Megalon (1973)
Inventor Goro Ibuki creates a humanoid robot named Jet Jaguar. It is soon seized by an undersea race of people called the Seatopians. Using Jet Jaguar as a guide, the Seatopians send Megalon as vengeance for the nuclear tests that have devastated their society. Oh and Godzilla is there to
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGamera 2: Advent of Legion (1996)
A strange meteor lands in Japan and unleashes hundreds of insect-like "Legion" creatures bent on colonizing the Earth. When the military fails to control the situation, Gamera shows up to deal with the ever-evolving space adversary. However the battle may result in Gamera losing his bond with both Asagi and humanity.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWrath of Daimajin (1966)
In a mountainous region of Japan, Lord Arakawa kidnaps the men of nearby villages to use as slave labor, producing gunpowder from his sulfur pits. A band of young boys decide to rescue their enslaved fathers on their own.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTremors: A Cold Day in Hell (2018)
Burt Gummer and Travis Welker find themselves in a fight for survival after investigating deadly giant worm attacks in the Canadian arctic.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisGodzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994)
A mysterious extraterrestrial being resembling Godzilla rapidly approaches Earth. The monster, dubbed SpaceGodzilla, lands to challenge the King of the Monsters.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGamera: The Guardian of the Universe (1995)
A ship runs aground on a mysterious atoll leading to an investigation by insurance representative Kusanagi, who discovers an ancient bead that he gives to his daughter Asagi. Meanwhile, ornithologist Nagamine investigates reports of a new species of large bird named Gyaos. As the Gyaos begin to attack, an ancient guardian with a bond to Asagi emerges.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody (2006)
In Karakura Town, unidentifiable spirits begin appearing en mases. While attempting to deal with these strange souls, Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki meet Senna, a mysterious shinigami who wipes out most of them. Senna refuses to answer any questions, so Ichigo is forced to follow her while Rukia tries to find out what's going on.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEbirah, Horror of the Deep (1966)
Searching for his brother, Ryota stows away on a boat belonging to a criminal alongside two other teenagers. The group shipwrecks on Letchi island and discover the Infant Island natives have been enslaved by a terrorist organization controlling a crustacean monster. Finding a sleeping Godzilla, they decide to awaken him to defeat the terrorists and liberate the natives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKing Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
The advertising director of Pacific Pharmaceuticals, frustrated with the low ratings of their sponsored TV program, seeks a more sensationalist approach. He orders his staff to Faro Island to capture King Kong for exploitation. As Godzilla re-emerges, a media frenzy generates with Pacific looking to capitalize off of the ultimate battle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisInuyasha the Movie 3: Swords of an Honorable Ruler (2003)
Inuyasha and his brother, Sesshomaru, each inherited a sword from their father after his death. However, their father had a third sword, named Sounga, that he sealed away. Seven hundreds years after his death, Sounga awakens and threatens mankind's very existence. How will the children of the Great Dog Demon stop this unimaginable power?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDoctor Who: Deep Breath (2014)
The newly-regenerated Doctor arrives in Victorian London, and Clara Oswald struggles to embrace the man he has become. All the while, they reunite with the Paternoster Gang to investigate a series of combustions that have been occurring all around the city.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGamera vs. Barugon (1966)
Gamera escapes from his rocket enclosure and makes his way back to Earth as a giant opal from New Guinea is brought back to Japan. The opal is discovered to have been an egg that births a new monster called Barugon. The creature attacks the city of Osaka by emitting a destructive rainbow ray from his back, along with a freezing spray capable of incapacitating Gamera.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGodzilla 2000: Millennium (1999)
An independent group of researchers called the Godzilla Prediction Network (GPN) actively track Godzilla as he makes landfall in Nemuro. Matters are further complicated when a giant meteor is discovered in the Ibaragi Prefecture. The mysterious rock begins to levitate as it's true intentions for the world and Godzilla are revealed.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisInuyasha the Movie 4: Fire on the Mystic Island (2004)
The mysterious island of Houraijima has reappeared after 50 years, and with its reappearance has brought the attack of four gods, the Shitoushin, who have their eyes set on the powers that protect and sustain the island. Now it's up to Inuyasha and his friends, along with Sesshoumaru, to find a way to defeat the powerful Shitoushin.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGodzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
Following their explosive showdown, Godzilla and Kong must reunite against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence – and our own.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGamera 3: Revenge of Iris (1999)
With the Gyaos re-emerging, Gamera's ties to humanity have been severed with his bond to Asagi broken. Nagamine and Asagi investigate while an orphaned girl named Ayana discovers a new creature she names Iris. Nagamine and Asagi must reach Ayana before she takes her revenge on Gamera, who she blames for the death of her family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisUltraman Decker Finale: Journey to Beyond (2023)
When GUTS-Select investigate mysterious disappearances, they learn it is work of an evil alien who intends to invade the Earth, called Professor Gibellus. However, just in time, a mysterious woman appears to help GUTS-Select.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & science fiction
Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018)
It has been ten years since The Battle of the Breach and the oceans are still, but restless. Vindicated by the victory at the Breach, the Jaeger program has evolved into the most powerful global defense force in human history. The PPDC now calls upon the best and brightest to rise up and become the next generation of heroes when the Kaiju threat returns.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSpace Sheriff Shaider: NEXT GENERATION (2014)
Shu Karasuma / Shaider is given a mission to save a certain scientist's kidnapped daughter but the biggest question is: can he get along with his partner, Tamy who is not happy about his womanizing ways?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & science fiction
The Angry Red Planet (1959)
The first manned flight to Mars returns after having been out of communications since it had arrived on Mars. What would it reveal?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisTokusou Sentai Dekaranger: Super Finisher Match! Deka Red vs. Deka Break (2005)
During a training session, Ban and Tetsu try to prove they are the strongest of the SPD.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & science fiction
Space Sheriff Sharivan: NEXT GENERATION (2014)
Kai Hyuga / Sharivan uncovers the existence of a spy from the Neo Madou organization. In addition to that Kai's friend, Seigi, becomes the new Space Sheriff Estevan. They must find the spy and stop a drug ring from shipping a pain suppressing narcotic called Hyper-M on Earth. But the new Space Sheriff must learn to trust his instincts and that not all is as it seems...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & science fiction
Ultraman Zero Side Story: Killer the Beatstar - Stage II: Oath of the Meteor (2011)
One year after the battle with Belial's Galactic Empire, the members of Ultimate Force Zero returned to Planet Esmeralda to see Princess Emerana. They arrived to see her and Jean Bot captures by a mysterious artificial planet which then took of for another universe. In the Universe where the sphere fled to, Zap Spacy members Rei and Hyuga are forced to infiltrate it, as it is on a collision course with Planet Bram. Inside they encounter various robot monsters, that the Ultramen have fought in the past, all under the control of Beatstar, with one mission: "Destroy all organic life". After saving Emerana, they encounter a robot very similar to Jean Bot, Jean Killer. During their fight with Jean Killer, Zero learns from Jean Bot that Jean Killer is actually his twin brother. Ultimate Force Zero must now put a stop to Killer's rampage and defeat Beatstar in the process. This is part 2 of a 2-part special release to promote the movie Ultraman Saga.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & science fiction
Godzilla (1998)
French nuclear tests irradiate an iguana into a giant monster that viciously attacks freighter ships in the Pacific Ocean. A team of experts, including Niko Tatopoulos, conclude that the oversized reptile is the culprit. Before long, the giant lizard is loose in Manhattan as the US military races to destroy the monster before it reproduces and it's spawn takes over the world.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisGappa, the Triphibian Monster (1967)
An expedition in the South Pacific lands on a tropical island where the natives worship the mysterious deity Gappa. An earthquake opens up an underground cavern and a baby reptile is discovered inside. The natives warn the foreigners to leave the hatching alone, but they don't listen and take it back to a zoo in Japan. Soon after, moma and papa Gappa start smashing Tokyo looking for their kidnapped child.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisGodzilla (1954)
Japan is thrown into a panic after several ships are sunk near Odo Island. An expedition to the island led by Dr. Kyohei Yamane soon discover something far more devastating than imagined in the form of a 50 meter tall monster whom the natives call Gojira. Now the monster begins a rampage that threatens to destroy not only Japan, but the rest of the world as well.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like this
Like Return of Ultraman and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Return of Ultraman?
The closest matches to Return of Ultraman are The Primevals (2023), Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964) and Gigantis, the Fire Monster (1959). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Return of Ultraman?
Start with The Primevals (2023), the closest match to Return of Ultraman.
What is the highest-rated movie like Return of Ultraman?
Godzilla (1954), rated 7.6/10 by 1,206 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Return of Ultraman?
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Return of Ultraman?
Yes: Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (1964), Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973) and Gamera 2: Advent of Legion (1996).
How are movies similar to Return of Ultraman chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Return of Ultraman, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.