[Picture: Godzilla] Godzilla is a series of giant monster films starring Godzilla, a Japanese creation usually portrayed by a man in a rubber suit. Starting in 1954, the Godzilla series has become the longest running film series in movie history. The first film, Godzilla, was first released in the United States in 1955 in Japanese-American communities only. In 1956, it was adapted by an American company into Godzilla, King of the Monsters!, edited and with added principal scenes featuring Raymond Burr, and this version became an international success. Unfaithful translation and editing led to a tweaked storyline. The name "Godzilla" is a romanization, by the film production company Toho Company Ltd., of the original Japanese name "Gojira" — which is a combination of two Japanese words: ...more >>gorira'gorilla' and kujira 'whale'. The word alludes to the size, power and aquatic origin of Godzilla. "Gojira" was allegedly the nickname of a large employee of Toho, but in the 50+ years since the film's original release, no one claiming to be the employee ever stepped forward and no photographs have ever surfaced.