- In the US version, the character of Hiroshi Okumura (Shin Takuma) is renamed "Ken" (or "Kenny," as his sister Naoko calls him). However, his character is still called "Hiroshi Okumura" in the credits.
- The UK cinema version was cut by 17 seconds for a PG rating to remove a man being slashed by a flying monster early in the film. The video version was released uncut at the same category, because it was deemed less intense on the small screen.
- The Japanese version has two sound mixes: A Dolby Stereo version, and an Academy mono optical version. The monaural version has several sound effects and music differences from the stereo version, including the addition of a unique, high-pitched cry produced by Godzilla during the ending. The mono mix has never been released on home video in Japan, though a 1985 drama LP release includes the scream. Since the mono effects stems were used for the U.S. version, it is commonly misconceived that the sound is in fact an addition created by New World Pictures themselves.
- The uncut dubbed for export English version of the film produced in Hong Kong (unheard of in NTSC territories), also uses the mono music and effects track.
- The German theatrical version runs a brisk 83 minutes, and cuts out the destruction of the Soviet submarine and the following super power Cold War tensions entirely, among other plot developments depicted in the film's second reel.
- The MonstersHD US version uses an older workprint cut with many sound effect and music differences, and lacks a dissolve effect during the ending.
- The original Japanese version, like the 1954 original, did not contain Raymond Burr. Also, in the Japanese version, the Russian submarine officer tries to stop the nuclear weapon that was accidentally launched. This was changed for the US version so that the Russian officer actually launched the weapon.
- These are the scenes that were cut out or rearranged for the American version:
- The original opening credits were imposed over a shot of a volcano on Daikoku Island erupting. This is what awakens Godzilla.
- Goro's struggle with the sea louse was shortened. The voice of the louse was also changed.
- Goro calling his editor from an island (or a tropical area) about the story.
- A scene of Prof. Hayashida showing Hiroshi pictures of Godzilla in the hospital was the only reference to the original Godzilla movie in the Japanese version and was cut from the American version.
- Whenever a government official first appears his name and position appears on screen.
- The scene where Goro tells Naoko that her brother is alive is abridged. Subsequently, so is the scene where Naoko and Hiroshi are reunited. Goro begins to snap pics of the siblings, angering the two and showing his interest in Naoko was only for the story. Consequentially, a later scene where Hiroshi and Naoko reprimand Goro for printing the story about them (pictures and all), after the P.M. lifts the ban on all mention of Godzilla in the media, is excised.
- The meeting between the Japanese prime minister and the American and Russian ambassadors is greatly abridged and is shifted to before Godzilla attacks the nuclear power plant.
- Also, two scenes, one of the P.M. talking to his Cabinet and one of him explaining how he convinced America and Russia to back off from using nukes, were cut out of the American version.
- To make America look more virtuous and Russia more evil, a quick shot of the American nuclear missile satellite (which looks a lot spiffier than the rudimentary Russian one) is excised.
- Scenes of Hayashida and Naoko working on the wave generator are eliminated.
- Scenes of the mobile command unit at the shores of Tokyo Bay are cut.
- Godzilla's attack on Tokyo is rearranged somewhat in the American version. First, he appears in Shinjuku as people run from him (with a shadow cast over them). This is taken from later in the film when Godzilla (seemingly killed by the Super-X) is revived by the radioactive storm caused by the colliding nuclear missiles (the people were crowding around him while he was unconscious). Also, Godzilla fires his nuclear ray at the Super-X AFTER it shoots cadmium shells into his mouth in the Japanese version.
- A shot of a long-haired Christian priest aboard the bullet train is cut.
- The scene where Godzilla's image is reflected by a building (a tribute to Yuji Kaida's cover art for Volume 1 of Makoto Inoue's 2-volume synthesizer music album "Godzilla Legend: Chronology") is taken out.
- The scene where Hayashida tests the wave amplifier is different.
- The infamous button-pushing scene mentioned before.
- A quick scene where a Russian official (presumably the P.M.) calls the Japanese P.M. to tell him about the missile launch.
- Other minor cuts and changes, including more romance between Goro and Naoko.
- The end titles are different. In the Japanese version, the credits roll over a shot of Oshima Island as the sun rises with the pop song "Godzilla" sung by the Star Sisters (not the Blue Oyster Cult song, it's more of a love song) plays, ending with a red "Owari" ("The End") kanji character appearing over the shot. The American end credits are the usual running over a black background. Instead of "Godzilla", a medley of Reijiro Koroku's score (as well as some of the American stock music) is played.
- The first run release prints issued by New World Pictures in the U.S. contained the classic Marv Newland short Bambi Meets Godzilla (1969) before the feature. This has frequently caused an incorrect longer running time to be listed for the U.S. version.
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