Out of all the monsters that appeared in Godzilla films, Varan is possibly the monster with the least amount of screen time. Varan's only Godzilla movie appearance was in Destroy All Monsters. Varan was shown for only a few seconds attending the battle between the monsters and King Ghidorah and the Kilaaks. He was not shown participating in the battle. Another shot of Varan was at the end of the movie, where Varan is seen on Monsterland, flying upwards (see picture on right). Varan's name was never mentioned once in the film.

Varan originally appeared in the 1958 Toho film Varan the Unbelievable. In the movie, Varan was a deity worshipped by the cult of Obake. Increasing levels of toxic pollution drove Varan from his underwater home, and attacked Japan. Varan is able to walk, swim, and fly. His "wings" resemble that of a flying squirrel.