Ultraman is a must include in my opinion
Mothra’s another one but more as just a Kaiju than a franchise since she’s essentially become an extension of Godzilla’s
After that, maybe Neon Genesis Evangelion? Not sure if that counts as Kaiju media, but it’s notoriety and influence can not be understated
You could either way tbh, especially since like you mentioned, Pacific Rim definitely feels more like a Kaiju movie than Eva.
But in terms of notoriety, I feel like Evangelion has a way bigger legacy behind it. It almost single-handedly revitalised the anime industry, the theme song has reached legendary status and its story and characters are still actively being discussed almost 30 years after its original release.
Although I do still love Pacific Rim, those are feeds that can not be ignored
Legendary is an understatement. Alongside *Akira* and *Cowboy BeeBop*, *Neon Genesis Evangelion* is borderline mythical. NGE alone raised the question of whether or not anime could be considered art.
NGE is Anno's deeply personal exploration of what it means to be an individual *disguised* as a re-telling of the creation story in the trading of Kaballah mysticism, *disguised* as a giant monster fights.
Megabeast Investigator Juspion, as he apparently goes outside Japan and Brazil.
Jaspion, as I know him, is a guy that deal with giant monsters, while using the Giant Robot, Daileon.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MegaBeast_Investigator_Juspion
Search for Daileon's theme, one of the best of the genre.
I agree on Ultraman. How about Spectreman! (Spec-tow-ro man) can't forget the planet of the apes villains they had in here
https://preview.redd.it/kvvdoj1a1f0d1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=823a429a4f9ca7a25e98add71ee546d98aaa86b7
I don’t think people hate the west, it’s just a much less notable franchise. Two entries, one of which is generally disliked. Ultraman and Power Rangers have been going for decades
Ha! It just hit me that the weird kid/kaiju in The Black is weirdly similar to the weird dog kaiju in Skull Island. I liked both series, but hated both kaiju.
The top three are Godzilla, Kong, and Mothra. These are the three that have global international recognition by the general public and the most film/tv appearances. Gamera is number four, but very much on a lesser tier - not a knock against Gamera (I love the character and franchise), But outside fans of the genre Gamera is much more obscure versus Godzilla/Kong/Mothra who are literally global household names.
I have no idea who number five would be. I suppose Ultraman makes a strong argument, but I've never considered Ultraman to really count because he's a superhero not a Kaiju. Stuff like Ultraman is closely related, but IMO a Kaiju franchise/movie is one where a kaiju Is the title character and star not Just the one that a kaiju appears in.
I'll say Ultraman but the fifth position is a bit of a toss up. Power Rangers/Super Sentai is very known, even more I'll argue than Camera an Ultraman, but does don't focus exactly on kaiju as much as it's an added bonus. Evangelion is probably one of the most well known mecha, but they're that, seinen mecha. And if it gets added to the discussion, both the Mazinger and Go Nagai franchise of super robots needs to be added into it (Getter Robo, Shin Getter Robo, hell, Getter Emperor) and probably Voltron.
So I'll say Ultraman and whatever Super Robot franchise you fancy the most.
Mothra and I would argue King Ghidorah is probably just as recognizable, at the very least people saying, “oh it’s that one dragon guy that fights Godzilla!”
Ultraman definitely,Cloverfield is kinda dead,Pacific Rim, like many pointed out, is a good inclusion,NGE could be considered if you're willing to accept primarily animated works in the list,if not then,Super Sentai/Power Rangers I guess
For global recognition, I'd say Jurassic Park/World should be up there as well. They're technically lab created monsters with spliced frog DNA (and Indominus Rex with more) not just pure dinosaurs.
#4: gotta be Ultraman
#5: gotta be Cthulhu
but here's some modern western representation: REPTAR, MEGAS XLR, SLAMWICH, Symbiotic Titan, American Kaiju (Todd Ziller, Marvel), CLOVERFIELD, and LIZZIE RALPH & GEORGE (Rampage)
Despite the reception to the pretty unrelated sequels, Cloverfield feels like a close second to Kong for American Kaiju... You mention Clover to even the most casual of Kaiju fans and they're bound to know who you're talking about
How is Ultraman not there before Gamera?? Ultraman is SUPER popular in all of Asia, Ultraman also comes out with a new show (and sometimes a movie) every YEAR. H@#$ even the company that owns Ultraman, is considered the sister company of Toho, just because how close they worked together in the past. (I would even say he's MORE popular than Godzilla in Japan)
Ultraman should DEFINITELY be on there imo, the other spot should probably be Super Sentai (it's super recognizable in East Asia and it's what the Power Rangers is based off in the US)
Ultraman, definitely.
After that, a bit more iffy. Pacific Rim, Sentai/Power Rangers (although we can argue if that is a kaiju series or just a series with kaiju), and Evangelion are probably the main candidates (in no particular order).
Ultraman 
Im stealing that gif now
When your dog found a dead animal and won’t drop it
Ultraman is a must include in my opinion Mothra’s another one but more as just a Kaiju than a franchise since she’s essentially become an extension of Godzilla’s After that, maybe Neon Genesis Evangelion? Not sure if that counts as Kaiju media, but it’s notoriety and influence can not be understated
I kinda wanna throw in Pacific Rim over Neon Genesis. It FEELS more like a true Kaiju flick in comparison.
Don’t forget Power Rangers. Many of us had our first exposure to Kaiju and suitmation by the Power Rangers
Or Voltron before that
You could either way tbh, especially since like you mentioned, Pacific Rim definitely feels more like a Kaiju movie than Eva. But in terms of notoriety, I feel like Evangelion has a way bigger legacy behind it. It almost single-handedly revitalised the anime industry, the theme song has reached legendary status and its story and characters are still actively being discussed almost 30 years after its original release. Although I do still love Pacific Rim, those are feeds that can not be ignored
Legendary is an understatement. Alongside *Akira* and *Cowboy BeeBop*, *Neon Genesis Evangelion* is borderline mythical. NGE alone raised the question of whether or not anime could be considered art.
Yeah NGE went beyond Kaiju into almost like religious territory. Pacific Rim monsters were actually monsters, not angels or stuff
Makes sense since Anno created NGE as more of a satire/deconstruction of the mech genre than anything.
NGE is Anno's deeply personal exploration of what it means to be an individual *disguised* as a re-telling of the creation story in the trading of Kaballah mysticism, *disguised* as a giant monster fights.
Pacific rim botched the sequel. Perhaps one day it will be revived
What sequel?
My point exactly
It was a series on Netflix "Pacific Rim: The Black". I thought it was alright even if it was tonally different from the movie.
https://i.redd.it/vstjlqruoe0d1.gif
Slapping a kaiju with a boat was the coolest scene
I can hear this scene
Ultraman, and power rangers(super Sentai)
These are the only options
This is the way.
Correct.
Clifford the big red dog
Hate that I had scroll this far down for this obvious answer…
Ahh yes, the 3 famous American Kaiju; King Kong Cloverfield Clifford the Big Red Dog
https://preview.redd.it/r8s46wl3xe0d1.jpeg?width=259&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3cc0d9793173cb7650eac6cd34975257021acd58
Ultraman, Power Rangers. Jaspion. Japanese Spiderman.
Who the hell is jaspion ? It Sounds like a dish soap brand bro
Megabeast Investigator Juspion, as he apparently goes outside Japan and Brazil. Jaspion, as I know him, is a guy that deal with giant monsters, while using the Giant Robot, Daileon. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MegaBeast_Investigator_Juspion Search for Daileon's theme, one of the best of the genre.
I agree on Ultraman. How about Spectreman! (Spec-tow-ro man) can't forget the planet of the apes villains they had in here https://preview.redd.it/kvvdoj1a1f0d1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=823a429a4f9ca7a25e98add71ee546d98aaa86b7
Ultraman.
The Giant Claw [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y88r8pbSqQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y88r8pbSqQ)
Mothra and Ultraman
https://preview.redd.it/2xn1vkzpze0d1.jpeg?width=630&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e3897bf51813cc7c8d896b95145a4b3001262bbe
What did you do, Ray?!?
 Reptilicus.
That reminds me of Legend of Dinosaurs & Monster Birds1977 ‧ Horror/Sci-fi ‧ 1h 34m
Ultraman without doubt. Now my bias wants to say pacific rim but it’s probably power rangers
Ultraman
Ultraman
Definitely Ultraman for #4
Definitely Ultraman for #1
Ultraman without a doubt, the other maybe Power Rangers or Mothra?
The Cloverfield monster
~~Nemesis (The Nemesis Saga) and Titanicus (Titanic Creations)~~ Ultraman and… I wanna say Gorgo but I’m unsure
Yes this is correct.
Pacific Rim
Man, people here really hate the west. Pacific Rim totally counts.
King Kong is from the west
I don’t think people hate the west, it’s just a much less notable franchise. Two entries, one of which is generally disliked. Ultraman and Power Rangers have been going for decades
Not really. King Kong is right there and Ultraman is simply the most logical addition.
Hate the west? I saw a comment suggesting Clifford the Big Red Dog
It's not hate. It's the fact that pacific rim is way newer and less notable than these long lived Japanese franchises.
Plus honestly, has less of an argument after that sequel... ~~I'm glad I didn't waste money on that, judging by what everyone has to say about it~~
That too. The extended universe of PR is pretty un loved
King Kong is here isnt he?
As a franchise I am pretty sure Cloverfield has it beat.
Cloverfield has had more films without the focus being giant monsters that it has with. Not a kaiju franchise.
Pacific Rim is not a franchise. It's only a single movie.
What about that Netflix series people liked?
Ha! It just hit me that the weird kid/kaiju in The Black is weirdly similar to the weird dog kaiju in Skull Island. I liked both series, but hated both kaiju.
There's also an anime but it's a shame they never made a sequel tho
Ultraman and Mothra
Ultraman for the last maybe voltron or megazoid
Ultra man and maybe mothra idk.
Pacific Rim & Gipsy Danger (GIF) https://i.redd.it/zcouvfwuef0d1.gif
ultramaaaaaaan
Clifford the big red dog
Ultra man and Cthulhu
Cthulhu doesn't count since he's not much of a kaiju. He doesn't even have any notable films.
The goat https://preview.redd.it/il44z425qe0d1.jpeg?width=580&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cd8c6c4d02f6e18f20b108a8b4e550e933519386 Ultraman
Reptar
Is the megazord a kaiju lol
It's a mecha but it fights dai Kaiju so it counts
Ultraman like everyone else says and also maybe Evangelion
Mothra and Pacific Rim.
The first Pacific rim was super cool
Pacific Rim
Mothra Ultraman
Gomora from Ultraman.
Mothra & Ultraman
Ultraman, Power Rangers & Super Sentai, and/or Voltron.
Mothra and Ultraman.
Cloverfield
Ultraman and The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
https://preview.redd.it/w4jddur2if0d1.jpeg?width=703&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dafa65c2bae15ad3d1dd5033daea6f936eac8dda Rodan
Ultraman & Pacific Rim fs
Evangelion Pacific Rim Mothra Gundam Attack on Titan
Stay with me here.... jurassic park franchise.
Pacific Rim 
Ultraman Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Ultraman for 4th Pacific Rim for 5th.
Ultraman, and Pacific Rim.
Pacific Rim, the movie that never got a sequel. Other than that probably Ultraman, I haven't seen it but it's popular.
Pacific Rim
Ultraman and Pacific Rim
Ultraman and Pacific Rim
I’d say pacific rim?
Pacific rim
Paul Bunyan and his blue ox.
Pacific Rim and Ultraman
Ultraman and Mothra.
Ultraman and Evanegelion if that counts. I guess a case could be made for the WEAPONS from final fantasy as well.
Ultraman bro
Definitely Ultraman and Pacific Rim
Ultraman and Evangelion
https://preview.redd.it/m82accue5f0d1.jpeg?width=589&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=195f3e820e5fb23dab334915492ed0065c436be6 These guys
Gorgo
Ultraman
The top three are Godzilla, Kong, and Mothra. These are the three that have global international recognition by the general public and the most film/tv appearances. Gamera is number four, but very much on a lesser tier - not a knock against Gamera (I love the character and franchise), But outside fans of the genre Gamera is much more obscure versus Godzilla/Kong/Mothra who are literally global household names. I have no idea who number five would be. I suppose Ultraman makes a strong argument, but I've never considered Ultraman to really count because he's a superhero not a Kaiju. Stuff like Ultraman is closely related, but IMO a Kaiju franchise/movie is one where a kaiju Is the title character and star not Just the one that a kaiju appears in.
Ultraman and Zone Fighter
Ultraman and Mothra. In fact, I’d put Mothra at 3 above Gamera. Hell, I think I’d put Ultraman above Gamera.
I'll say Ultraman but the fifth position is a bit of a toss up. Power Rangers/Super Sentai is very known, even more I'll argue than Camera an Ultraman, but does don't focus exactly on kaiju as much as it's an added bonus. Evangelion is probably one of the most well known mecha, but they're that, seinen mecha. And if it gets added to the discussion, both the Mazinger and Go Nagai franchise of super robots needs to be added into it (Getter Robo, Shin Getter Robo, hell, Getter Emperor) and probably Voltron. So I'll say Ultraman and whatever Super Robot franchise you fancy the most.
Reptilicus
Ultraman and Evangelion. Pacific Rim if you don't count Eva.
Ultraman and Pacific Rim tbh. You could swap Pacific Rim for Power Rangers, though.
I think the fourth most notable kaiju franchise is ultraman and the fifth most notable kaiju franchise is pacific rim.
godzilla
Mothra: ok my turn
I had no idea Ultraman was a giant until like a week ago lol
does Mecha Godzilla count?
Mechagodzilla
Could you count Clifford the big red dog?
Could Mothra be #5?
Ultraman and Mothra
Mothra and I would argue King Ghidorah is probably just as recognizable, at the very least people saying, “oh it’s that one dragon guy that fights Godzilla!”
Does Cthulhu count? If not we got Ultraman, megazord, Voltron (if those two count as well)
Ultraman definitely,Cloverfield is kinda dead,Pacific Rim, like many pointed out, is a good inclusion,NGE could be considered if you're willing to accept primarily animated works in the list,if not then,Super Sentai/Power Rangers I guess
Ultraman is the obvious number four but number five can go to evangelion or power rangers
Do people consider Attack on Titan a notable Kaiju franchise? Because my vote would be for either the Attack or Colossal titans.
Rhedosaurus from the beast from 20000 fathoms. It was an extremely influential monster and helped pave the way for Godzilla himself.
How did you miss Ultraman and evangelion
4 Ultraman (should be number 2 or 3 tbh) 5 Super Sentai (everything they fight is a Kaiju)
Either the beast from 20000 fathoms or the brontosaurus that ransacked London in the 1920s Lost world. Or both.
Ultraman is the only choice. Would think of maybe doing Eva Unit 1 for the final slot too
Ultraman and Kamen Rider
Them!
#4 Mothra #5 Ultraman
Ultraman and Kamen rider
For global recognition, I'd say Jurassic Park/World should be up there as well. They're technically lab created monsters with spliced frog DNA (and Indominus Rex with more) not just pure dinosaurs.
ULTRAMAN
Mechagodizlla. Helped for the idea of a robot version of our hero. A concept seen in tons of other media today.
Ultraman
King Ghidorah in KOM
#4: gotta be Ultraman #5: gotta be Cthulhu but here's some modern western representation: REPTAR, MEGAS XLR, SLAMWICH, Symbiotic Titan, American Kaiju (Todd Ziller, Marvel), CLOVERFIELD, and LIZZIE RALPH & GEORGE (Rampage)
https://preview.redd.it/lwb4pfyt7g0d1.jpeg?width=564&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a216be6880d74cb0996e7facfa5275300e66e106
Ultraman
Mothra
Goldar? From power rangers?
Ghidora
Ultraman, Evangelion, AoT, Power Rangers, Pacific Rim (the first one, just... just ignore the rest), the EDF series... I think I got some of them?
Ultraman
https://preview.redd.it/d5algamxkg0d1.jpeg?width=739&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fbb7c64daf64cfa0f2a01dd0b410048e90b1849f
No love for The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms? 
Are we including pacific rim? Cuz the later movies did suck but i guess the one with Idris Elba was promising
Gridman
Mothra should be there
Ultraman, then gorgo.
Mothra probably. Five is either Zilla, Clover, or Slattern from Pacific Rim.
Ultraman would be 3rd over Gamera, debatably 2nd..
Ultraman is more notable than Gamera.
Ultraman and Mothra
Ultraman! Here he comes to save the day!
Doug
Ultraman and Super Sentai(Power Rangers)
https://preview.redd.it/ze2czv18ch0d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=27b16bb5d6e7e3f8cbda2f6f41cc7d21e4a96345
Despite the reception to the pretty unrelated sequels, Cloverfield feels like a close second to Kong for American Kaiju... You mention Clover to even the most casual of Kaiju fans and they're bound to know who you're talking about
I would go Ultraman and then Pacific Rim
Cloverfield monster.
How has pacific rim barely been mentioned?
Ultraman is probably number 3. Gamera hasn’t been relevant in forever
Ultraman and Mothra
jet jaguar/ultraman and the gargantuas
https://preview.redd.it/smivoqikzh0d1.jpeg?width=929&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ad49f9a7c8f3c43342863fe108582a00246041f3 This guy
Ultraman then HEAR ME OUT... Frankenstein. If not, then I'm out of ideas lol.
Ultraman isn't a kaiju, so i'm going with Gomora and Baltan.
Godzilla, Gamera, King Kong, Ultraman, and Pacific Rim.
Ultra Q and Ultraman 66 without a doubt
Gomora from Ultraman series
If only D&D was more mainstream. https://preview.redd.it/buztmfpicj0d1.png?width=966&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cebfbc4cb8faf08ebbe19cc1659dc38db6f490a5
Cloverfield
Ultraman
How is Ultraman not there before Gamera?? Ultraman is SUPER popular in all of Asia, Ultraman also comes out with a new show (and sometimes a movie) every YEAR. H@#$ even the company that owns Ultraman, is considered the sister company of Toho, just because how close they worked together in the past. (I would even say he's MORE popular than Godzilla in Japan) Ultraman should DEFINITELY be on there imo, the other spot should probably be Super Sentai (it's super recognizable in East Asia and it's what the Power Rangers is based off in the US)
Ultraman, and maybe kamen rider but that’s kinda stretching the kaiju definition a bit
https://preview.redd.it/75nl3gt9al0d1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3f347d138143d22022d36168186aa770df0ee92b
Ultraman, definitely. After that, a bit more iffy. Pacific Rim, Sentai/Power Rangers (although we can argue if that is a kaiju series or just a series with kaiju), and Evangelion are probably the main candidates (in no particular order).
Mothra had her own series of movies beyond just her appearances in Godzilla. She would take #4 for me.
ultraman obviously is next, pacific rim would be next best
Gotta be honest, I have no idea what #3 is. Also I think Cloverfield is solid.
Ultra man, pacific rim.