Takashi Yamazaki's Godzilla Minus Zero opened at No. 1 in North America with $31.6 million, a record debut for a foreign-language film, according to AP via ABC News. Here's what the numbers show and what critics are saying.
The Box Office Story
Variety reports the film took in $31.6 million from 3,254 theaters, "a roaring start for a foreign-language epic in North America". Box office analyst David A. Gross told Variety, "'Godzilla' is a hit".
The Hollywood Reporter says it is the biggest launch in distributor GKIDS' history, at nearly three times the debut of Godzilla Minus One. Vulture notes it "obliterated the competition" for No. 1.
Globally, a r/boxoffice thread cites an estimated $63.0 million through Sunday, including $31.39 million internationally. That is an unofficial source, so treat the figure as preliminary.
What Critics Are Saying
Reviews are positive overall, with one notable holdout.
- Sight and Sound calls it a "thrilling mega-monster romp". It describes a smart sequel that leans into family melodrama and post-war politics.
- The Seattle Times headlines its review "A roaring good sequel to 'Minus One'".
- The Hollywood Reporter describes a sequel to the 2023 smash set in a Japan still reeling from World War II.
- The LA Times calls it "a thrilling monster mash crushed by its giant guilt complex".
- The AP is the dissenter. Its review argues that melodrama stomps out the kaiju fun.
The One-Man Effects Machine
Variety highlights the unusual credit "VFX, written, and directed by Takashi Yamazaki". Deadline notes that the film pits Godzilla against a three-headed opponent. It also notes this is the follow-up to the Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One.
The Seattle Times adds that the 2023 film "tested the allegory's pliability" as Godzilla's symbol. This sequel continues that approach.
Our Take
The reviews split on one question: how much of the film is human drama and how much is monster action. Sight and Sound and the AP both point to the heavy melodrama, but they disagree about whether that helps or hurts. If you loved Minus One for its emotional core, this is your sequel. If you came only for the destruction, the LA Times suggests the guilt-laden storytelling may weigh on you.
The bigger story is the opening itself. A subtitled Japanese film beat the competition and set a record in the world's most crowded theatrical market.
Where to Watch
Godzilla Minus Zero opened in Japan on Nov. 3 via Toho, and GKIDS began a wide North American release on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, per Godzilla.com. Check local listings for premium-format showtimes.
Verdict: A landmark weekend for international cinema, and a monster movie worth seeing on a big screen.
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