Contrary to popular belief, Raymond Burr was actually quite proud of his association with Godzilla since his debut in the Americanized version of the film from 1956. It came as a surprise to friends and colleagues when he enthusiastically returned for the international release of the 1985 sequel. While working on that film, he used the clout he'd gained from his success on Perry Mason to ensure the film wasn't too heavily edited and Koji Hashimoto's original intentions were preserved. Burr wrote the ending narration himself.
Raymond Burr reprised his character as the journalist Steve Martin for the American version of this film, but because Steve Martin was the name of a popular comedian, he is referred to on screen as "Steve" or "Mr. Martin."
Originally intended to be a standalone film, it was successful enough to warrant a series of films in the same continuity, starting with Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989). Naoko actress Yasuko Sawaguchi would return in that film playing a different character.
This is the first film in the series since the original Godzilla (1954) in which Godzilla doesn't do battle with another monster.
This was the final Godzilla film to get a DVD release in the United States. The Japanese version (The Return of Godzilla) was issued on DVD and Blu-ray in September 2016, but rights issues have prevented a re-release of the American version (Godzilla 1985), which can only be obtained on VHS, Beta, and laserdisc.