Godzilla Minus Zero has earned $31.6 million in its North American opening weekend, making it the number one movie in the region. Furthermore, it is now the highest grossing opening weekend for any live-action foreign film in the United States.
According to Anime News Network, 74% of that total is from its availability in premium large formats (such as 4DX and Dolby Cinema), with 40% (or $12 million) being from IMAX screenings in particular. Globally, the film has earned $63 million USD, making it the current highest-grossing film in the world. While TOHO have not yet confirmed if it will add more screenings for Godzilla Minus Zero in the coming weeks, its recent success has significantly increased its chances of expansion.
Ryûnosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe reprised their roles as Kôichi Shikishima and Noriko Ôishi, respectively. Further, Hidetaka Yoshioka reprised his role as Kenji Noda, Yuki Yamada returned as Shiro Mizushima, Sakura Ando reprised her role as Sumiko Ota, and Miou Tanaka returned as Tatsuo Hotta. In addition, Min Tanaka joined the cast as new character Kanji Murakami, who is a “biologist carrying deep psychological scars from the war.”
TOHO filmed it using the 1.43:1 IMAX aspect ratio. This makes it the first Japanese movie ever filmed for IMAX. Takashi Yamazaki returns to direct the sequel, while Shirogumi is in charge of the VFX. Its predecessor, Godzilla Minus One, is available now for streaming on Netflix. The black and white version, Godzilla Minus Color, is also accessible on the service. TOHO describes Godzilla Minus Zero as follows:
War reduced Japan to zero, and Godzilla plunged it into minus. Two years have passed since then, and the country has faced agonizing struggles to achieve recovery and finally reclaim its daily life.
Just as humanity managed to cling to a hard-won peace, a new threat strikes, crushing hope in an instant. There is no third time. Everything ends here.
Shot entirely in Japan as the first-ever Japanese production to be Filmed For IMAX, GODZILLA MINUS ZERO was shot with high-definition digital cameras certified by IMAX, and optimized in sound and imagery unique to IMAX screens. The globally beloved monster returns to movie theater screens reaching greater and more terrifying heights, making GODZILLA MINUS ZERO a true cinematic event not to be missed.
