View source for Invasion of Astro-Monster

{{short description|1965 film by Ishirō Honda}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Invasion of Astro-Monster
| image          = Invasion of Astro-Monster Theatrical Poster.jpg
| alt            = 
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| native_name    = {{Infobox Japanese| kanji=怪獣大戦争 | revhep=Kaijū Daisensō}}
| director       = [[Ishirō Honda]]
{{Infobox|decat=yes|child=yes|label1=Special effects by|data1=[[Eiji Tsuburaya]]}}
| producer       = [[Tomoyuki Tanaka]]{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=292}}
| screenplay     = [[Shinichi Sekizawa]]
| starring       = {{plainlist|
* [[Akira Takarada]]
* [[Nick Adams (actor, born 1931)|Nick Adams]]
* [[Kumi Mizuno]]
* [[Akira Kubo]]}}
| music          = [[Akira Ifukube]]{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=293}}
| cinematography = Hajime Koizumi{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=293}}
| editing        = Ryohei Fujii{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=293}}
| studio         = [[Toho|Toho Co., Ltd.]]<br>[[United Productions of America|UPA]]
| distributor    = {{plainlist|
* Toho (Japan)
* Maron Films (United States)}}
| released       = {{Film date|1965|12|19|Japan|1970|7|29|United States}}
| runtime        = 94 minutes{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=121}}
| country        = {{plainlist|
* Japan
* United States{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=225}}}}
| language       = Japanese{{efn|The film's primary language was Japanese.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=225}} During filming, Nick Adams delivered all of his lines in English; he was dubbed over by [[Gorō Naya]] for the film's Japanese release.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=01:10:18}} Adams's original English dialogue was restored for the film's American release.{{sfn|Ryfle|Godziszewski|2017|p=223}}}}
| budget         = ¥132 million{{sfn|Ryfle|Godziszewski|2017|p=229}}
| gross          = $4.2 million {{small|(US/Japan{{nbsp}}rentals)}}{{efn|In Japan, the film (including the 1971 re-issue) earned {{¥|410 million}} in [[distributor rentals]],<ref name="Japanese Box Office">{{cite web|url=https://nendai-ryuukou.com/article/089.html|title=歴代ゴジラ映画作品一覧／年代流行|work=Nendai Ryuukou|access-date=December 2, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203000250/https://nendai-ryuukou.com/article/089.html}}</ref><ref name="Japan"/> and $3 million in the United States.{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=125}}}}
}}

{{nihongo|'''''Invasion of Astro-Monster'''''|怪獣大戦争|''Kaijū Dai-sensō''|lead=yes|{{literal translation|''The Great War of the Monsters''}}}}{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=292}} is a 1965 [[Kaiju|''kaiju'' film]] directed by [[Ishirō Honda]], with special effects by [[Eiji Tsuburaya]]. It is the sixth film in the [[Godzilla (franchise)|''Godzilla'' franchise]] and Shōwa period. The film was a Japanese-American co-production; it was the second collaboration between [[Toho|Toho Co., Ltd.]] and [[UPA (animation studio)|UPA]].{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=121}}{{sfn|Kalat|2010|p=84}}{{sfn|Ryfle|Godziszewski|2017|p=227}} The film stars [[Akira Takarada]], [[Nick Adams (actor, born 1931)|Nick Adams]], [[Kumi Mizuno]], [[Akira Kubo]], and [[Yoshio Tsuchiya]], with [[Haruo Nakajima]] as [[Godzilla (Showa)|Godzilla]], Masaki Shinohara as [[Rodan]], and [[Shoichi Hirose]] as [[King Ghidorah]]. In the film, aliens plead with humanity to borrow Godzilla and Rodan to defeat Ghidorah, only to betray the humans and unleash the monsters on the [[Earth]].

''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' was theatrically released in Japan on December 19, 1965, to mixed reviews from critics. It was followed by a theatrical release in the United States on July 29, 1970, by Maron Films as ''Monster Zero'', on a [[double feature|double bill]] with ''[[The War of the Gargantuas]]''.

The film was followed by ''[[Ebirah, Horror of the Deep]]'', released on December 17, 1966.{{sfn|Kalat|2010|p=94}}

==Plot==
In the year 196X,{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=225}} two astronauts, Fuji and Glenn, are sent to investigate the surface of the mysterious "Planet X" recently detected on the far side of Jupiter. There they encounter advanced and seemingly benevolent human-like beings called the Xiliens and their leader, the Controller. The aliens usher the astronauts into their underground base, and moments later the surface is attacked by a creature that the Xiliens call "Monster Zero", but which the astronauts recognize as [[King Ghidorah]], a planet-destroying monster that had attacked Earth once before. The monster eventually leaves, but the Controller states that Ghidorah has been attacking repeatedly, forcing them to live underground in constant fear. He requests to borrow the Earth monsters [[Godzilla (Showa)|Godzilla]] and [[Rodan]] to act as protectors to fight it once more (since 1964), in return for the cure for cancer.{{Efn|the English dub says that the formula can cure any disease|name=cure|group=lower-alpha}} The astronauts return to Earth and deliver the message.

Meanwhile, an inventor named Tetsuo has designed a personal alarm that emits an ear-splitting electric siren. He sells it to a businesswoman named Namikawa, but she disappears before paying him. Tetsuo is romantically involved with Fuji's sister, Haruno, but Fuji disapproves, finding him unworthy of Haruno. Tetsuo sees Namikawa with Glenn and later follows her, but he is captured and imprisoned by Xilien spies.

Glenn and Fuji begin to worry that the Xiliens may have ulterior motives. Their suspicions appear confirmed when three Xilien spacecraft appear in Japan. The Controller apologizes for coming to Earth without permission. The Xiliens locate Godzilla and Rodan, both sleeping, and use their technology to transport them to Planet X. They also bring Glenn, Fuji, and the scientist Sakurai with them. After a brief confrontation, the Earth monsters succeed in driving Ghidorah away. Glenn and Fuji sneak away during the battle and encounter two Xilien women, both of whom look identical to Namikawa. Xilien guards confront the astronauts and bring them back to the Controller, who reprimands but does not punish them. The astronauts are given a tape with instructions for the miracle cure and sent home, leaving Godzilla and Rodan behind. The tape is played for the world's leaders, but instead, it contains an ultimatum demanding that they surrender Earth to the Xiliens or be destroyed by Godzilla, Rodan, and Ghidorah, who are all under the aliens' mental control.

Glenn storms into Namikawa's office and finds her in Xilien garb. She admits that she is one of their spies, but confesses that she has fallen in love with him. Her commander arrives to arrest Glenn and executes Namikawa for letting emotion cloud her judgment, but not before she slips a note into Glenn's pocket. Glenn is taken to the same cell as Tetsuo. They read Namikawa's note, which explains that the sound from Tetsuo's invention disrupts the Xiliens' electronics. Tetsuo has a prototype with him, which he activates, weakening their captors and allowing them to escape.

Sakurai and Fuji build a device to disrupt the Xilien's control over the monsters. Glenn and Tetsuo arrive to share the Xilien's weakness. As the monsters attack, Sakurai's device is activated and the sound from Tetsuo's alarm is broadcast over the radio. The invasion is thwarted and the Xiliens, unable to fight back or retreat, destroy themselves en masse. The monsters awaken from their trances and a fight ensues. All three topple off a cliff into the ocean; Ghidorah surfaces and flies back into outer space, while those watching speculate that Godzilla and Rodan are probably still alive. Fuji acknowledges Tetsuo's important role in the victory and no longer thinks poorly of him. Sakurai states that he wants to send Glenn and Fuji back to Planet X to study the planet thoroughly.{{Efn|the English dub says that they are to be ambassadors|name=ambassadors|group=lower-alpha}} The astronauts are reluctant, but make the best of the moment, happy that Earth is safe.

==Cast==
{{castlist|
* [[Akira Takarada]] as Kazuo Fuji
* [[Nick Adams (actor, born 1931)|Nick Adams]] as Glenn 
**[[Gorō Naya]] as Glenn (Japanese voice){{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=01:10:18}}
* [[Kumi Mizuno]] as Namikawa
* [[Jun Tazaki]] as Dr. Sakurai
* [[Akira Kubo]] as Tetsuo Torii
* Keiko Sawai as Haruno Fuji
* [[Yoshio Tsuchiya]] as Controller of Planet X
* Takamaru Sasaki as Chairman of Earth Committee 
* Gen Shimizu as Minister of Defense 
* [[Yoshifumi Tajima]] as General 
* Nadao Kirino as Military Aide 
* Kenzo Tabu as Commander from Planet X, Earth Unit 
* Koji Uno as Namikawa's Associate 
* Somesho Matsumoto as Buddhist Priest 
* [[Haruo Nakajima]] as [[Godzilla (Showa)|Godzilla]]
* Masaki Shinohara as [[Rodan]]
* [[Shoichi Hirose]] as [[King Ghidorah]]
}}
Cast taken from ''Japan's Favorite Mon-star''.{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=355}}

==Production==
===Crew===
{{Div col}}
* [[Ishirō Honda]]{{efn|Credited as "Inoshiro Honda" in the American version of the film.<ref name="Inoshiro">{{cite web|last=Nakajima|first=Shinsuke|url=http://ishirohonda.com/messages/staff/s0020_nakajima002.html|title=イシロウ、それともイノシロウ？|website=IshiroHonda.com|language=Japanese|date=May 7, 2013|access-date=April 3, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513071240/http://ishirohonda.com/messages/staff/s0020_nakajima002.html|archive-date=May 13, 2021}}</ref>}} – director
* [[Eiji Tsuburaya]] – special effects director
* [[Henry G. Saperstein]] – associate producer
* [[Reuben Bercovitch]] – associate producer
* Koji Kajita – assistant director
* Masao Suzuku – production manager
* Tadashi Koike – production manager
* Takeo Kita – art director
* Sadamasa Arikawa – special effects photography
* Mototaka Tomioka – special effects photography
* Akira Watanabe – special effects art director
* [[Teruyoshi Nakano]] – special effects assistant director
{{Div col end}}
Personnel taken from ''Japan's Favorite Mon-star''.{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=355–356}}

===Development===
{{quote box|quote="When they made Godzilla do that ''shie'' thing, I knew how pissed my father [Ishiro Honda] was. He didn't say a word, but he was beyond angry. My father found it humiliating. I am sure he was telling himself, 'We did not create Godzilla for that. It is not right.'"| source= —Ryuji Honda recalls his father's disapproval over the inclusion of Godzilla's infamous ''shie'' victory dance.{{sfn|Ryfle|Godziszewski|2017|p=227}}|align=right|width=30em}}
In the mid-1960s, [[United Productions of America]] (UPA) asked American producer [[Henry G. Saperstein]] to acquire high quality [[monster movies]] to distribute in North America.{{sfn|Kalat|1997|p=81}} Saperstein approached [[Toho]] and began involvement in the film when ''[[Frankenstein Conquers the World]]'' was already in its production phases.{{sfn|Kalat|1997|p=81}} The production of ''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' saw the film have input from American producer Henry G. Saperstein from the beginning of production and was his first fully-fledged coproduction.{{sfn|Kalat|1997|p=81}} Saperstein has claimed to have provided 50 percent of the funding to the three monster movie co-productions he made with Toho.{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=122}}

Saperstein felt that the screenplays by [[Shinichi Sekizawa]] were formulaic, noting that these films too often "opened up with a press conference or a government conference of scientists and officials" and that he convinced the production that they "needed to get into the picture a lot quicker. The conference could take place later on".{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=292}}{{sfn|Kalat|1997|p=81}} The film's script also incorporates an alien invasion theme that had been done in previous Toho films, but not in the ''Godzilla'' series.{{sfn|Kalat|1997|p=84}}

Saperstein also proposed the inclusion of an American actor to help market the film in the United States.{{sfn|Kalat|1997|p=82}} This role was eventually filled by [[Nick Adams (actor, born 1931)|Nick Adams]], who had previously starred in ''Frankenstein Conquers the World'' without any suggestion from Saperstein.{{sfn|Kalat|1997|p=82}}{{sfn|Kalat|1997|p=83}} Saperstein said Adams was "terrific, a real professional. Very cooperative, always on time, ready with his lines, available, totally cooperative. He loved being there."{{sfn|Kalat|1997|p=83}}

The film had a lower budget than some of the previous films in the series. This led to special effects scenes having less elaborate model cities built and including footage which had been shot for previous films such as ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'', ''[[Mothra (film)|Mothra]]'', and ''[[Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster]]''.{{sfn|Kalat|1997|p=85}}{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=125}} "It was a vicious cycle of time and budget," Honda reflected. "If we recycled scenes from previous movies, we could cut the effects budget. But then we received complaints from our fans saying, 'It looks weird, it's not fresh.' We could fool the audience for a little while, but eventually they would know the trick and stop coming to see the shows. Then the studio would think that special effects film don't sell anymore. It's no wonder we could not make anything good around that period... It is a sad story."{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=125}}

Honda contributed in designing Namikawa's makeup.{{sfn|Ryfle|Godziszewski|2017|p=228}} Yoshio Tsuchiya improvised the Planet X Controller's hand gestures and combined French, German, and Ryunosuke Akutagawa's ''Kappa'' language to form the alien dialect, at Honda's request.{{sfn|Ryfle|Godziszewski|2017|p=229}} While there is a Lake Myojin in Japan, the one featured in the film is fictional.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:31:19}} Adams' scenes were filmed within five weeks, between October 13 to November 18, 1965.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:41:06}}

===Special effects===
[[File:Eiji and Godzilla.jpg|thumb|[[Eiji Tsuburaya]] directs [[Haruo Nakajima]] (in [[Godzilla]] suit) on the Planet X set created for the film]]
The film's special effects were directed by [[Eiji Tsuburaya]], while [[Teruyoshi Nakano]] served as the assistant special effects director.{{sfn|Kalat|2010|p=82}} An Oxberry optical printer was used to composite the actors and saucers on the beach.{{sfn|Ryfle|Godziszewski|2017|p=228}} The Godzilla ''Shie'' victory dance was added after [[Yoshio Tsuchiya]] suggested it to Tsuburaya, who was already supportive about anthropomorphizing monster characters with comical traits.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:49:51}} Godzilla performer [[Haruo Nakajima]], effects cinematographer Sadamasa Arikawa, and director Ishirō Honda were against the inclusion of the dance.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:50:02}} Nakano recalled that audiences were divided over the dance.{{sfn|Ryfle|Godziszewski|2017|p=227}} The design of the P1 rocket and astronaut suits were influenced by [[NASA]]'s [[Project Gemini]] missions.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:02:52}} Several P1 models were produced, with the biggest reaching 3 meters tall.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:10:31}}

In one scene, the effects crew wanted to show the 3-meter P1 lift from a low angle, however, its size would have exposed the top edge of the Planet X set.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:10:44}} Against company policy, special effects art director Yasuyuki Inoue broke the sound stage floor, and dug a hole to allow the P1 to rise from the subterranean base.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:10:57}} Inoue later got in trouble after the hole was discovered, however, Inoue would later repeat this technique in ''[[Destroy All Monsters]]''.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:11:17}} The smoke effects in the Lake Myojin scenes were created by filling a thermos bottle with liquid nitrogen and destroying them underwater to create a chemical reaction.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:34:44}} Effects animator Sadao Iizuka created the transport tractor beam and designed it after a Neon club sign he saw in Shibuya ward.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:35:00}}

For Godzilla, a new suit was produced by Teizo Toshimitsu. The new suit removed the kneecaps from the previous two films, the breast bone was slightly retained and deemphasized, the dorsal fins were less pointed, and the eyes were enlarged.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:53:46}} The pupils were built to be moved from left to right.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:54:49}} The suits for King Ghidorah and Rodan were recycled from the previous film, albeit with some alterations.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:55:17}} For Ghidorah, the suit was repainted with a darker shade of gold, with fewer details on the faces due to settled rubber.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:55:39}} For Rodan, the bulky tops on the wings were flattened and thinned.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:56:02}} The melting radar dish model was independently built by a chief carpenter, Keiki Tanaka.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=01:03:36}}

==Release==
===Theatrical===
''Invasion of Astro-Monster'' was released in Japan on December 19, 1965, by [[Toho]],{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=121}} on a double bill with ''[[Ereki no Wakadaishō|Young Beats]]''.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=01:25:02}}{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=225}}{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2008|p=226}} The film brought in about 3.8 million viewers in Japan{{sfn|Kalat|1997|p=100}} and was the tenth highest grossing Japanese film for that year, earning a [[Gross rental|distribution rental]] income of ¥210 million during its theatrical run.{{sfn|Ryfle|Godziszewski|2017|p=229}} Nick Adams' voice was dubbed over by [[Gorō Naya]] for the Japanese release.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=01:10:18}} It was re-issued in Japan in 1971 where it was edited to a 74-minute running time under the title {{nihongo|''The Giant Monster War: King Ghidorah vs. Godzilla''|怪獣大戦争 キングギドラ対ゴジラ|Kaijū Daisensō Kingu Gidora tai Gojira}}.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=293}} In an attempt to give Keiko Sawai more roles, Toho had billed Sawai as the "Hope of '66" in the original posters.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:03:51}} With the 1971 re-issue, the film's Japanese box office performance increased to {{nowrap|5.13 million}} ticket sales and [[distributor rentals]] of {{¥|410 million}}<ref name="Japanese Box Office"/><ref name="Japan">{{cite web |title=「怪獣大戦争」 MONSTER ZERO |url=http://g-kingdom.la.coocan.jp/series/6.htm |website=Ｇ本情報 - ゴジラ王国 |access-date=July 1, 2018}}</ref> ({{US$|{{#expr:410/350.678 round 1}} million|long=no}}).<ref name="currency">{{cite web |title=Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) - Japan |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/PA.NUS.FCRF?end=1971&locations=JP&start=1970 |website=[[World Bank]] |year=1971 |access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref>

In the United States, the film grossed {{US$|3 million|long=no}} during its theatrical run.{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=125}} In Europe, the film sold 1,416,731 tickets in Germany and France upon release in 1967.<ref name="JP">{{cite web |title=Kaiju Daisenso |url=http://www.jpbox-office.com/fichfilm.php?id=8158&view=4 |website=JP's Box Office |language=fr |access-date=20 March 2022}}</ref>

===American version===
Co-producer [[Henry G. Saperstein]] commissioned an English dub from [[Glen Glenn Sound]], a [[Los Angeles]]-based company, for the film's American release.{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=151}} Unlike some previous ''Godzilla'' films which were heavily edited for their American release, the American and Japanese versions of the film were described by David Kalat as "virtually identical".{{sfn|Kalat|1997|p=81}} Among the changes in the American version of the film include improvised "Planet X language" scenes spoken by [[Yoshio Tsuchiya]] being cut, and a few brief shots involving the flying saucers at Lake Myojin. The audio was changed as well with sound effects added for Godzilla and several pieces of [[Akira Ifukube]]'s score re-arranged.{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=125}} The English dialogue was written by an uncredited Riley Jackson, who was hired by UPA post-production supervisor S. Richard Krown because of his previous work on ''[[Storm Over the Pacific]]''.<ref name="Krown">{{cite web |last=Homenick |first=Brett |title=GODZILLA'S CROWNING MOMENT! UPA's Post-Production Supervisor Richard Krown on Americanizing Toho Classics! |url=https://vantagepointinterviews.com/2021/09/14/godzillas-crowning-moment-upas-post-production-supervisor-richard-krown-on-americanizing-toho-classics/ |website=Vantage Point Interviews |date=14 September 2021 |access-date=3 April 2024}}</ref> [[Marvin Miller (actor)|Marvin Miller]] provided the voice for Fuji and other characters.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:01:48}} The American version had a running time of 92 minutes.{{sfn|Kalat|2010|p=82}}

Originally released as ''Invasion of the Astros'' at military bases in the United States,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=MOVIES|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/349608707/|url-access=subscription|first=|last=|magazine=The Hill Top Times|volume=|date=March 13, 1970|page=27|location=[[Hill Air Force Base|Hill Air Force Base, Utah]]|publisher=|access-date=July 20, 2022|via=[[Ancestry.com#Newspapers.com|Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=BASE THEATER NEWS|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/56562191/|url-access=subscription|first=|last=|magazine=[[The Portsmouth Herald]]|volume=|date=March 14, 1970|page=13|location=[[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]]|publisher=John Tabor|access-date=July 20, 2022|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> the English dub by Glen Glenn Sound was released on July 29, 1970, by Maron Films{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=121}} as part of a [[double feature]] with ''[[The War of the Gargantuas]]'' (also dubbed by Glen Glenn Sound).{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=151}} Regarding the time it took for the film to be released in the United States, Saperstein stated that Toho did not always want to release a film quickly for international release and that he had a lot of technical work to be done on the film.{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=125}} ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that Saperstein had completed post-production in 1966 and was negotiating a distribution deal. ''Variety'' reported again in September 1970 that both the film and ''The War of the Gargantuas'' "sat on the shelf at [UPA] because [distributors] figured they had no potential".{{sfn|Ryfle|1998|p=125}}

===Critical response===
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|score=50|count=8|average=5.1|ref=yes|access-date=March 21, 2022}}

Jon Matsumoto of ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'' declared ''Godzilla vs. Monster Zero'' as "a terrific bad movie", declaring that the film "contains most of the elements that made this film form so appealing to the average 5- to 12-year-old boy." and that the film is "riotous adult fun" due to the "unintended shoddiness of the film."{{sfn|Matsumoto|1991|p=13}}

The presentation for the [[The Criterion Collection|Criterion Channel]] states: "This retro romp, featuring American star Nick Adams, stands as a high point in the Showa Godzilla series."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Invasion of Astro-Monster |url=https://www.criterionchannel.com/invasion-of-astro-monster |access-date=2023-07-11 |website=The Criterion Channel |language=en}}</ref>

==Home media==
===Japan===
In 2008, Toho remastered the film in [[High-definition video|high-definition]] and premiered it on the Japanese Movie Speciality Channel, along with the rest of the Godzilla films also remastered in HD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scifijapan.com/godzilla-toho/godzilla-x-hi-vision|title=Godzilla X Hi-vision - Godzilla Restored in HD|first=James|last=Ballard|work=SciFi Japan|date=August 7, 2008|access-date=March 26, 2022|url-status=live|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326184012/https://www.scifijapan.com/godzilla-toho/godzilla-x-hi-vision}}</ref> In 2021, Toho premiered a [[4K resolution|4K remaster]] of the film on the [[Nippon TV|Nippon Classic Movie Channel]], along with seven other Godzilla films also remastered in 4K. The film was [[2K resolution|downscaled to 2K]] for broadcast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nihon-eiga.com/osusume/godzilla4K_2021/|title=『ゴジラ』シリーズ 4Kデジタルリマスター 最恐画質 8ヶ月連続放送|language=Japanese|first=|last=|work=Nihon–eiga.com|date=|access-date=March 26, 2022|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326175658/https://www.nihon-eiga.com/osusume/godzilla4K_2021/}}</ref>

===United States===
In 1983, Paramount released the American version of the film on [[VHS]] and BetaMax as ''Godzilla vs. Monster Zero''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Glynn |first=Michael |date=25 December 1982 |title=Video Software Notes |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/80s/1982/CB-1982-12-25.pdf |magazine=Cash Box |access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref> The title ''Godzilla vs. Monster Zero'' was used when the film was broadcast on local American TV stations.

{{sfn|Galbraith IV|2007|loc=00:00:13}} In 2007, [[DreamWorks Classics#Classic Media (2000–2012)|Classic Media]] released the film on DVD in North America, along with other ''Godzilla'' titles. This release included the remastered, widescreen versions of the Japanese and American versions, as well as image galleries, poster slideshows, original trailers, a biography on [[Tomoyuki Tanaka]], and an audio commentary by historian [[Stuart Galbraith IV]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2007/06/04/dvd-reviews-ghidorah-the-three-headed-monster-and-invasion-of-astro-monster/|title=DVD Reviews: Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster and Invasion of Astro-Monster|last=Kotz|first=Sean|work=SciFi Japan|date=June 4, 2007|access-date=May 4, 2018|archive-date=August 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815140624/http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2007/06/04/dvd-reviews-ghidorah-the-three-headed-monster-and-invasion-of-astro-monster/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014, Toho released the film on [[Blu-ray]] to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ld-dvd.2-d.jp/gallery2/hikaku_monsterzero.html |title=怪獣大戦争 |access-date=2018-06-12 |archive-date=2016-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019131307/http://www.ld-dvd.2-d.jp/gallery2/hikaku_monsterzero.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2017, [[Janus Films]] and [[the Criterion Collection]] acquired the film, as well as other Godzilla titles, to stream on [[Starz]] and [[FilmStruck]].<ref name="Showa Criterion">{{cite web|url=http://bloody-disgusting.com/home-video/3469049/criterion-collection-obtained-showa-era-godzilla-films/|title=Criterion Collection Has Obtained Most of the Shōwa Era 'Godzilla' Films!|last=Squires|first=John|work=Bloody Disgusting|date=November 8, 2017|access-date=November 8, 2017|url-status=live|archive-date=June 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604191358/https://bloody-disgusting.com/home-video/3469049/criterion-collection-obtained-showa-era-godzilla-films/}}</ref> In 2019, the Japanese version and export English version was included in a Blu-ray box set released by the Criterion Collection, which included all 15 films from the franchise's [[Godzilla (franchise)#Shōwa era (1954–1975)|Shōwa era]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/7/25/8930381/godzilla-criterion-collection-showa-era-films-release-date|title=Criterion reveals the collection's 1000th disc: the ultimate Godzilla set|last=Patches|first=Matt|date=July 25, 2019|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|access-date=July 25, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=December 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217223541/https://www.polygon.com/2019/7/25/8930381/godzilla-criterion-collection-showa-era-films-release-date}}</ref> In May 2020, the export English version became available on [[HBO Max]] upon its launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/18/21260243/hbo-max-launch-movies-titles-classic-warner-bros-turner-studio-date-price|title=Here are the hundreds of classic movies people can stream on HBO Max|first=Julia|last=Alexander|work=The Verge|date=May 18, 2020|access-date=November 7, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618203405/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/18/21260243/hbo-max-launch-movies-titles-classic-warner-bros-turner-studio-date-price}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==See also==
*[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last=Galbraith IV |first=Stuart |title=The Japanese Filmography: 1900 through 1994 |publisher=McFarland |date=1996 |isbn=0-7864-0032-3 }}
* {{cite AV media|first=Stuart|last=Galbraith IV|title=Monster Zero Audio Commentary|type=DVD|publisher=[[DreamWorks Classics#Classic Media (2000–2012)|Classic Media]]|year=2007}}
* {{cite book |last=Galbraith IV |first=Stuart |title=The Toho Studios Story: A History and Complete Filmography |publisher=Scarecrow Press |date=2008 |isbn=978-1461673743 }}
* {{cite book |last=Kalat|first=David|date=1997|title=A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series|edition=First|publisher=McFarland|isbn=0-7864-0300-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Kalat|first=David|year=2010|title=A Critical History and Filmography of Toho's Godzilla Series|edition=Second|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786447497}}
* {{cite news|title=Godzilla as One of the Good Guys|date=January 10, 1991|last=Matsumoto|first=Jon|newspaper=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52693777/the-los-angeles-times/|access-date=June 3, 2020}}
* {{cite book|last=Ryfle|first=Steve|date=1998|title=Japan's Favorite Mon-star: The Unauthorized Biography of "The Big G"|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|isbn=9781550223484|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/japansfavoritemo0000ryfl}}
* {{cite book |last1=Ryfle|first1=Steve|last2=Godziszewski|first2=Ed|url=https://archive.org/details/ishiro-honda-a-life-in-film-from-godzilla-to-kurosawa|title=Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa|publisher=[[Wesleyan University Press]]|year=2017|isbn=9780819570871}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
* [https://godzilla.com/filmography/invasion-of-astro-monster/ ''Invasion of Astro-Monster''] at the official ''Godzilla'' website by [[Toho|Toho Co., Ltd.]] {{in lang|en}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes}}
* {{TCMDb title}}
* {{Jmdb title|1965|co004660}}

{{Godzilla}}
{{Ishirō Honda}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Invasion Astro Monster}}
[[Category:1965 films]]
[[Category:1960s monster movies]]
[[Category:Films about alien invasions]]
[[Category:Japanese crossover films]]
[[Category:1960s Japanese-language films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Akira Ifukube]]
[[Category:Films about astronauts]]
[[Category:Films about dragons]]
[[Category:Films about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Films directed by Ishirō Honda]]
[[Category:Films produced by Tomoyuki Tanaka]]
[[Category:Films set in Shizuoka Prefecture]]
[[Category:Films set on fictional planets]]
[[Category:Giant monster films]]
[[Category:Godzilla films]]
[[Category:American science fiction films]]
[[Category:American sequel films]]
[[Category:Japanese science fiction films]]
[[Category:Japanese sequel films]]
[[Category:Kaiju films]]
[[Category:Space adventure films]]
[[Category:Toho films]]
[[Category:UPA films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Shinichi Sekizawa]]
[[Category:1960s American films]]
[[Category:1960s Japanese films]]
[[Category:King Ghidorah]]
[[Category:Saturn Award–winning films]]
[[Category:1965 science fiction films]]