Godzilla Minus One Keeps Breaking Records at the US Box Office

Godzilla Minus One continues to impress at the US box office!

After an historic debut at the US box office, Godzilla Minus One continues to break records. In its 3-day opening weekend, the film became the biggest opening ever for a Japanese live-action film in the US with $11.4 million. And on its fifth day of release, it has become the highest grossing Japanese live-action film of all time in the US. Its cumulative gross stands at $15.7 million as of Wednesday December 6. Until now, that record was held by The Adventures of Milo and Otis released in 1989 in the US (and in 1986 in Japan) with $13.29 million.

In addition, on Monday December 4, Godzilla Minus One held the number one spot at the box office grossing 1.2 million. This was the first time in 19 years that a non-English language live-action film hit the number one spot in the US. Last time it happened was Hero in 2004. From Sunday to Monday, the film only dropped from 58,8% which is an excellent hold. While on Tuesday December 5, it jumped from 41,7% (it was a discount day) grossing 1.7 million and coming in the second place. And on Wednesday, it regained the first spot at the box office with $1.4 million (down by just 20% from the previous day). These continue to be impressive results.

Thanks to the powerful word of mouth the film is receiving, TOHO has decided to expand the number of screens in which it is playing in the US. Currently playing in over 2,308 cinemas, starting from December 8 it will play in over 2,500 cinemas. As long as people continue to attend, there will be showtimes nationwide so spread the word and get your ticket now! This weekend, Godzilla Minus One will share the premium screens with Béyoncé’s Renaissance and The Boy and The Heron.

As of Wednesday, the worldwide cumulative gross of the film stands at $40.9 million including $26 million from Japan. With a reported budget of $15 million, the film was already profitable with just its release in Japan.

Director Takashi Yamazaki and actor Ryunosuke Kamiki have released official statements concerning the success of the film in the US and Japan.

Takashi Yamazaki:

I’m glad that none other than Godzilla was able to surpass a record that had remained unbroken for a long time. When I think back on it, the cast and staff were honestly just trying to make something interesting! I think that’s what led to such wonderful results. I will always remember this.

Ryunosuke Kamiki:

It’s been about a month since its release, and many people have seen it in Japan, and it’s also a new record for live-action Japanese films in the United States! A lot of people in America are watching it, and it feels like a dream! ! I’m happy! And, it will be released in even more countries and regions!

Godzilla Minus One is also currently playing in Netherlands and in France exclusively in Pathé cinemas today and tomorrow. It will then be released in the United Kingdom on December 15. A special screening at the BFI in London was held earlier this week.

(L-R): Ryunosuke Kamiki as Kōichi Shikishima and Minami Hamabe as Noriko Ōishi in *Godzilla Minus One* (C)2023 TOHO CO., LTD.

THOUGHTS

In our FIVE-STAR review, Thomas said:

Godzilla Minus One is an epic film with breathtaking visuals and a wonderful soundtrack. It is truly one of the best films of the year. At its heart, it is a deeply moving postwar drama that tells a character-driven story. Ryunosuke Kamiki delivers a powerful and heartfelt performance as the lead. He is also supported by a great cast.

ABOUT GODZILLA MINUS ONE:

The worst despair in the series’ history strikes Japan! After the war, Japan has been reduced to zero. Godzilla appears and plunges the country into a negative state. The most desperate situation in the history of Japan. Who? And how? Will Japan stand up to it?

It stars Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Sakura Andor, Hidetaka Yoshioka and Munetaka Aoki. The film was directed and written by Takashi Yamazaki (Lupin III: The First) who also supervised the visual effects.

You can watch the latest trailer below: