Godzilla Minus Zero swept to the top of the US box office on its opening weekend, generating $31.6 million domestically and $63 million worldwide, according to The Guardian.
Global Box Office Records Shattered
The latest installment in Toho’s franchise set a record for opening weekend receipts for a live-action foreign-language film in the US and Canada. Variety reported that the movie brought in an additional $31.4 million from international territories, fueled by historic attendance on premium large format and Imax screens.
‘GODZILLA MINUS ZERO’ has opened with $31.6M domestically. Biggest domestic opening EVER for a live-action international film. pic.twitter.com/jY9pahloqu
Premium formats played an outsized role in the rollout. Variety noted that large-format auditoriums accounted for 74% of domestic ticket sales, while Imax screens generated $21.3 million globally, capturing 34% of the worldwide total.
Takashi Yamazaki directs this sequel set in 1949 Japan
Set in Japan in 1949, the film follows the monster as it resurfaces to confront a dragon-like beast named Ghidorah. The Guardian reported that the project is directed by Takashi Yamazaki and serves as a sequel to the 2003 Oscar-winning film Godzilla Minus One.
‘GODZILLA MINUS ZERO’ is tracking to have the biggest domestic opening weekend EVER for a live-action international film. Read our review: https://t.co/hNkhKvSMVo pic.twitter.com/Ca1iDcAX9v
The production qualifies as a live-action film because it was principally shot on location. According to The Guardian, filming took place at a sports park in Ibaraki and a temple in Maizuru.
Release exceeds expectations according to industry analyst
Our first near-simultaneous global release was built on that belief.
Industry analyst David A Gross wrote that the release exceeded expectations, noting that the numbers reached nearly three times the previous opening of Godzilla Minus One in December 2023, as detailed by The Guardian.
Audience ratings and global competition define the weekend
The film received an R rating and earned an A CinemaScore alongside an 85% definite recommend from Screen Engine/Rentrak’s PostTrak, Deadline reported. The same outlet noted that diversity demographics for the weekend were 73% Caucasian, 11% Hispanic and Latino, 8% Black, and 3% Asian American.
Competition at the global box office came from the Indian epic Ramayana: Rise of a Legend. The Guardian reported that the Hindi-language blockbuster earned $55.7m on its opening weekend, bringing in $8.7 million in the US and $32 million in India.
What questions does the film's box office performance answer?
What was the previous record holder for a live-action foreign-language film opening in the US?
Deadline reported that the previous domestic record was held by the 2002 Chinese film Hero, which bowed to $17.8 million.
How much did the film gross in Japan on its opening day?
The Guardian reported that Godzilla earned $5.75 million on its opening day on November 3, setting a box office revenue record for a live-action release in the country.
What percentage of the domestic box office came from Imax screens?
Variety reported that Imax generated $12.7 million across 429 venues, representing 40% of the domestic haul.
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