Godzilla is back, and the monster has already broken a record before completing its first week in cinemas.
Godzilla Minus Zero, the latest Japanese film in the long-running franchise, opened on November 3 and immediately delivered a major box office performance.
According to figures released by distributor Toho and GKIDS, the film generated approximately 910 million yen in ticket sales on its opening day, equivalent to around $5.75 million.
More than 590,000 people attended screenings across Japan during that single day.
The companies say those figures make Godzilla Minus Zero the highest-grossing live-action film on its opening day in Japanese box office history, including both domestic and international productions.
The result represents a substantial increase compared with Godzilla Minus One, which became a global success following its release in 2023.
And there’s a familiar name behind the new film.
Director Takashi Yamazaki returns after the success of Minus One, which won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and introduced a new generation of international audiences to Japan’s most famous monster.
That film stood out for combining large-scale destruction with an emotional story about survival, guilt and the aftermath of war.
With Minus Zero, the franchise continues exploring the consequences of Godzilla’s destruction while returning to the spectacle that has defined the character for decades.
The opening-day figures also show how much attention Japanese productions can attract internationally, particularly when they build on recognizable franchises.
The movie is receiving international theatrical screenings, with additional premium formats scheduled from November 6.
Of course, one strong opening day doesn’t automatically guarantee a record-breaking total box office run.
But the first numbers suggest that Godzilla’s latest appearance has become a major cinema event.
More than 70 years after the character first appeared on screen, the world’s most recognizable radioactive monster is still finding new ways to dominate the box office.
