By Patrick Macias

YOU ALREADY KNOW Godzilla: the big lizard with the death breath who's often seen stomping on things. But what about the 20 movies set to play the epic, weeklong Godzillafest (Castro Theatre, Nov. 17 to 23)?

The movies are the cornerstone of numerous Godzilla-themed events in the Bay Area (go to www.sfgodzillafest.com for all the details). Spanning 50 years, they run the gamut from hot to not to downright radioactive. Some don't even feature Godzilla but were created by his handlers at Japan's famed Toho Studios and certainly merit inclusion. On one hand, it's just about guys in a rubber suit destroying miniature buildings; on the other, these sci-fi monster visions have impacted the way audiences have looked at Japan, special effects, and even the atomic age. Take for instance ...

Godzilla vs. Destroyah (1995) Godzilla is glowing red, steam is pouring out of his scales, and all is not well as the Big Guy is slated for a China Syndrome-scale meltdown. They sold this one as "the last Godzilla movie," and even though it thankfully failed on that count, the final emotional moments may still require monster-size Kleenex. Wed/17, 1 and 5 p.m.

Godzilla 2000 (1999) After that wholly rotten 1998 Hollywood Godzilla movie, the guys in Japan had to prove their G was the OG. Too bad the millennium edition wasn't up to the task. Dodgy computer graphics, an uninvolving story, and an unworthy foe (Orga, anyone?) all sabotaged what should have been a slam drunk. Wed/17, 3 p.m.

Rodan: The Flying Monster (1956) The first color Japanese monster movie introduces one of Godzilla's most excellent drinking buddies, the winged demon Rodan, and plays like a gorgeous pastel storybook of mass destruction. The city-wrecking payoff is awesome to behold, but the first act, set in a flooded mine, offers nightmare-inducing imagery on a more intimate scale. Wed/17, 7:20 p.m.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (1956) It's globalization '50s-style as Raymond Burr is spliced into an abbreviated version of the original Japanese Godzilla. Some of the bite is taken out of the beast, and the template is set for how America would interpret Japan's radioactive beasties from here on: dubbed in bizarro English minus much guilt over the atom bomb. Or maybe it's just a warm up for Play It Again, Sam ... Wed/17, 9 p.m.

War of the Gargantuas (1966) "They were probably on a bad LSD trip," Russ Tamblyn says with a straight face early on in this sterling example of savage mid-'60s monster cinema. From here, two twin Gargantua brothers, as big as they are stupid, beat on each other's heads until the credits roll. Tamblyn, who's been mysteriously tight-lipped about the movie in the past, will be present at the screening. You should be too. Thurs/18, 7:15 p.m.

Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002) While it's not one for the ages, there are some solid moments in this outing for cyborg nemesis Mechagodzilla. Masaaki Tezuka directs with a fan's eye for gadgets and G-film continuity, but cutesy idol Yumiko Shaku winds up obstructing the view. Thurs/18, 9 p.m.

Godzilla: The Uncut Original (1954) The minds behind the best Godzilla movies (director Ishiro Honda, special effects master Eiji Tsuburaya, producer Tomoyuki Tanaka, and music composer Akira Ifukube) hit the ground running by delivering a politically charged, anxiety-ridden masterpiece a mere nine years after World War II wrapped. It feels like a nightmare, is directed like a documentary, and would be the perfect argument against the bomb if only the monster itself weren't so sympathetic. Fri/19, 7:15 p.m.

GMK: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001) In this, the best 'Zilla movie in decades, Godzilla takes his motivation from the angry spirits of those who died during WWII and makes a path for the Imperial Palace. Tremendous special effects, lots of monster-fu, and imaginative staging make this a must-see on the Castro screen. Fri/19, 9:30 p.m.

The H-Man (1958) This is a weird postwar pulp fiction about guys who turn into radioactive blobs and make life hard for assorted gangsters and their molls. It's highly recommended for its smoky, decadent atmosphere and sterling effects, and for first asking the eternal question "Is he Man or ASTRO-MAN?" Sat/20, 1:15 and 5 p.m.

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) Try to follow all the intricacies of this overambitious time-traveling Godzilla movie, which has flashbacks to primal scenes in WWII, and you'll wind up with a thousand-year headache. Instead, simply enjoy the fireworks as Godzilla ruins the Japanese economic miracle while tussling with longtime foe Ghidorah. Sat/20, 3 p.m.

Mothra (1961) This introductory outing for the beloved "monster of peace" has everything: show-stopping musical numbers, adorable twin fairies (played by proto-J-pop singing sensations the Peanuts), a Tokyo Tower takedown, and a killer early-'60s sense of style. With a handful of original actors in attendance for the screening, this is one of the highlights of Godzillafest. Sat/20, 7 p.m.

Godzilla: Tokyo SOS (2003) I saw this in a theater in Tokyo the week it came out and was bored out of my mind. I felt guilty because I'd gone all that way, I fundamentally want to like Godzilla movies, and the ticket was almost 20 bucks. I'm better now, thanks, but consider yourselves warned. This one blows. Sat/20, 9:10 p.m.

Destroy All Monsters (1968) "The ultimate Japanese monster movie" is no easy reputation to live up to, but with an 11 creature-strong cast, Destroy All Monsters comes awfully close. Beloved by millions (on largely nostalgic grounds), it delivers in bits and pieces, like when the inhabitants of Monster Land are allowed to cut loose on landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe and the United Nations building. Sun/21, 4 p.m.

Battle in Outer Space (1959) More world-spanning destruction as alien invaders decide to run a number on our dumb planet, which quickly bands together to kick E.T.'s butt. No giant monsters (sadly) but still immense fun in the Team America sense. Be sure to cheer wildly when the Golden Gate Bridge bites the dust. Sun/21, 5:45 p.m.

Son of Godzilla (1967) The big G considers fatherhood (motherhood?) in this gentle, comparatively low-impact entry in the series. Baby Minya gets mugged by giant insects and learns how to fight back, and everyone feels better for it, except the oversized spiders and mantises, of course. Sun/21, 7:35 p.m.

Monster Zero (1965) The late Nick Adams is a man possessed during this, the awe-inspiring War and Peace of the Godzilla series. His affair with the mysterious Miss Namikawa (Kumi Mizuno) is at the center of a pitched battle between Earth and the Devo-like inhabitants of Planet X. Godzilla, Rodan, and Ghidorah show up too, but they're just gravy for Adams's full-throttle performance and a love story "beyond all computation." Sun/21, 9:30 p.m.

King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) The Great Ape looks like a fur rug someone left out in the rain, and the Lizard King could stand to shed a few pounds, but it matters not. This one was an intentional comedy, and it makes for a definite crowd pleaser not just from the good ol' days of Godzilla movies but also from the golden age of Japanese film. Mon/22, 7 p.m.

Ghidrah: The Three-Headed Monster (1964) When alien monster Ghidorah (a.k.a. Ghidrah) muscles in on his turf, Godzilla makes the fateful switch from bad guy to good guy. As UFOs and weird weather patterns emerge as well, Rodan, Mothra, and the twin fairies also consider their places in the cosmic scheme of things. Mon/22, 9 p.m.

Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster (1966) Opening with a manic go-go dancing marathon and unfolding on what looks like Gilligan's Island, this is the Godzilla equivalent of happy hour at the Tonga Room. In short: Beach Boys-caliber "fun, fun, fun." There's even some surf guitar as the big dude plays catch the boulder with a killer shrimp. Tues/23, 7:15 p.m.

Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973) Often listed as a top contender for worst Godzilla movie, this impoverished, stock footage-heavy flick is actually a psychotronic treasure trove. Godzilla flying-drop-kicks his foes and shakes mitts with his Ultraman-inspired buddy, Jet Jaguar. Failure to at least crack a smile could mean you've missed the point in a big way, not only with Godzilla movies but also with life itself. Tues/23, 9 p.m.

'Godzillafest' runs through Tues/23. Castro Theatre, 429 Castro, S.F. $5.50-$8.50 ($70 festival passes are available at the Castro and at Super7 Store, 1630 Post, S.F. 415-409-4700). (415) 621-6120. Patrick Macias is the coauthor of Cruising the Anime City: An Otaku Guide to Neo Tokyo.