Godzilla Minus Zero opened huge. Per Anime News Network, Toho reports 590,000 tickets and 910 million yen (about US$5.75 million) on opening day, Tuesday, November 3, the highest opening day ever for a live-action film in Japan, foreign or domestic.
Quick answer
Godzilla Minus Zero sold 590,000 tickets for 910 million yen on its November 3, 2026 opening day in Japan, a record for live-action films and 201% higher than Godzilla Minus One managed on its own opening day. Takashi Yamazaki returns as director, writer and VFX supervisor; GKIDS and Toho handle the North American release.
The numbers in context
The opening landed on Godzilla Day, the anniversary of the first film's November 3, 1954 release, which is also the Japanese holiday Culture Day. Godzilla Minus One used the same date in 2023, so the 201% jump is a clean apples-to-apples comparison. Record openers do not always translate into legs, so the second and third weekends matter more than this single day.
Cast and story
The sequel is set in 1949, two years after the first film. Min Tanaka plays biologist Kanji Murakami. Returning from the first film are Ryūnosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe and Hidetaka Yoshioka, plus Yūki Yamada, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Sakura Andō and Miō Tanaka. Composer Naoki Satō and effects house Shirogumi are back as well.
What to watch
The North American date, which Toho and GKIDS handle. Earlier coverage: our Godzilla Minus Zero teaser post.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How much did Godzilla Minus Zero make on opening day?
A: 910 million yen (about US$5.75 million) from 590,000 tickets, per Toho via Anime News Network.
Q: Who directed it?
A: Takashi Yamazaki, who also wrote it and supervised the VFX.
Q: Is it a sequel?
A: Yes. It follows Godzilla Minus One, set in 1949.