Giant monsters have captivated audiences long before modern CGI, and even without Godzilla or King Kong, the genre has plenty to offer. These titanic terrors often play upon our fascination with the unknown and our fear of overwhelming forces. From colossal creatures emerging from the sea to beasts from outer space threatening our very existence, here are the ten best giant monster movies that have carved their niches outside the shadows of Godzilla and King Kong.

1.”The Host” (2006) – South Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s masterpiece combines monster terror with familial drama and sharp political commentary. The monster’s striking design and the gripping chase along the Han River make for a memorable cinematic experience.

2.”Cloverfield” (2008) – Utilizing found footage style, “Cloverfield” offers an intense street-level view of a monster attack on New York City, ratcheting up tension with its chaotic narrative and mysterious creature wreaking havoc.

3.”Pacific Rim” (2013) – Guillermo del Toro’s visual feast showcases human-piloted robots fighting against monstrous aliens known as Kaiju in explosive battles that pay homage to classic monster cinema while bringing it to the 21st century.

4.”The Mist” (2007) – Adapted from Stephen King’s novella, this film brings forth otherworldly beings enveloped in a mysterious mist, combining horror with psychological drama as human characters deal with both visible and invisible threats.

5.”Trollhunter” (2010) – This Norwegian mockumentary follows a group of students discovering real-life trolls in Norway’s wilderness. With dark humor and impressive special effects for its budget, it reimagines folktale creatures as enormous monsters.

6.”Attack The Block” (2011) – This British sci-fi comedy involves a South London teen gang defending their block from alien invaders. The film smartly mixes action, humor, and social commentary against the backdrop of an alien siege led by large creature antagonists.

7.”Monsters” (2010) – Set years after an alien invasion, “Monsters” is more about the journey than the destination, focusing on a couple navigating through an “Infected Zone.” It’s both a romantic road movie and a foray into giant creature territory.

8.”The Iron Giant” (1999) – While not exactly a monster movie, this animated feature directed by Brad Bird involves a massive robot from space that strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young boy during the Cold War era United States.

9.“Colossal” (2016) – A unique take on the genre, “Colossal” explores personal battles through actual monsters as Anne Hathaway’s character discovers she has a strange connection to an immense creature causing chaos in Seoul.

10.”Them!” (1954) – One of the earliest entries into the “big bug” subgenre, “Them!” finds humanity facing off against giant ants in this classic piece of 1950s science fiction cinema that remains influential for its use of practical effects and suspenseful storytelling.

These films each contribute something unique to the giant monster genre without relying on Godzilla or King Kong’s footsteps while entertaining audiences with their own distinctive terrors and thrilling stories.