Godzilla Minus Zero, Takashi Yamazaki’s direct sequel to Godzilla Minus One, opened in US theaters on Friday, November 6, 2026, and landed at No. 1 with about $30.6 million, a record North American debut for a foreign-language film. It is set in 1949, two years after the first film, brings back most of the main cast and adds King Ghidorah as the new threat. It is rated R and runs 135 minutes. This guide covers the cast, the box office, whether you need to watch Minus One first and where to see it. It is spoiler-free.
Last updated on November 13, 2026.
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Godzilla Minus Zero at a Glance
| Detail | Godzilla Minus Zero |
| US release | Friday, November 6, 2026, in theaters |
| Japan release | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
| Director and writer | Takashi Yamazaki |
| Distributor (US and Canada) | GKIDS |
| Studio | Toho |
| Runtime | 135 minutes |
| Rating | R, for some violent content and bloody images |
| Setting | 1949, two years after Godzilla Minus One |
| Streaming | No digital or streaming date announced |
What Is Godzilla Minus Zero About?
The story picks up in 1949, two years after the events of Godzilla Minus One. Koichi Shikishima, the former kamikaze pilot, is trying to build a quiet life in postwar Japan with Noriko and their adopted daughter Akiko. Godzilla is believed to be dead, but a dragon-like creature attacks the city of Matsumoto, and Kenji Noda, who now leads a government disaster response group, calls on Koichi for help. The new threat is King Ghidorah.
Godzilla Minus Zero Cast and Characters
Most of the main players from Godzilla Minus One return.
| Actor | Character |
| Ryunosuke Kamiki | Koichi Shikishima |
| Minami Hamabe | Noriko |
| Sae Nagatani | Akiko, the couple’s adopted daughter |
| Hidetaka Yoshioka | Kenji Noda |
| Masami Nagasawa | Makoto Aoyama |
| Min Tanaka | Kanji Murakami |
| Yuki Yamada | Shiro Mizushima |
| Kuranosuke Sasaki | Seiji Akitsu |
| Sakura Ando | Sumiko Ota |
| Jun Kunimura | Dr. Ogata |
Who Is King Ghidorah?
King Ghidorah is one of the oldest and best-known villains in the Godzilla franchise. He first appeared in the 1964 film Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster as a golden, three-headed, lightning-breathing alien monster, and he has returned in many eras since, including Godzilla: King of the Monsters in 2019. SlashFilm says Yamazaki keeps the classic look but updates the monster to fit the grounded tone of Minus One, and that the R rating lets the film show far more destruction than earlier Ghidorah movies.
Do You Need to Watch Godzilla Minus One First?
It helps a lot. Minus Zero is a direct sequel that follows the same family and several of the same supporting characters, and The Globe and Mail’s review says the first half hour can feel like a slower catch-up. The monster action works on its own, but the emotional story between Koichi and Noriko lands much better if you have seen the 2023 film, which won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
Godzilla Minus One is streaming on Netflix in the US, according to Screen Rant, so you can watch it before you buy a ticket. Availability can change, so check the app first.
Godzilla Minus Zero Box Office
- Opening weekend (November 6 to 8): about $30.6 million in North America, according to The Numbers. Sunday estimates had it at $31.6 million.
- The competition: The Cat in the Hat finished second with about $20 million.
- Record: NBC News reports it as the biggest North American opening ever for a foreign-language film.
- IMAX: the film was shot for IMAX and took $21.3 million worldwide from IMAX screens, about 34% of its global opening weekend, according to NBC News and SlashFilm.
- The number to beat: Godzilla Minus One finished with about $57.1 million in North America, according to NBC News.
Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping opens on November 20, so Minus Zero will have a short window before it faces a major release. Our Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping guide has the cast and release details.
What Are the Reviews Saying?
Reviews are mostly positive. The film holds around 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and an A from CinemaScore audiences. The Globe and Mail made it a Critic’s Pick and praised the monster battles and the character scenes. RogerEbert.com gave it three out of four stars and said it does not quite reach the highs of the first film. Not every critic is convinced, and some find the sequel pulled in too many directions. The main debate is whether it beats Minus One.
Godzilla Minus Zero Trailer
The video above is the official trailer from Toho’s Godzilla channel. It shows King Ghidorah.
Where to Watch Godzilla Minus Zero
Godzilla Minus Zero is playing in US theaters now through GKIDS, including IMAX screens. Check your local listings for showtimes. Neither GKIDS nor Toho has announced a digital or streaming date, and the film is not on Netflix. We will update this page when a date is confirmed.
More Movies in Theaters
If you are planning a cinema run this month, see our guide to Street Fighter’s box office and ending, and look ahead to Dunesday on December 18, when Avengers: Doomsday meets Dune: Part Three. For holiday viewing at home, see our list of new Christmas movies and where to watch them.
Godzilla Minus Zero FAQ
When did Godzilla Minus Zero come out?
It opened in Japan on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and in US theaters on Friday, November 6, 2026.
Who directed Godzilla Minus Zero?
Takashi Yamazaki, who also wrote it and directed Godzilla Minus One.
Is Godzilla Minus Zero a sequel?
Yes. It is a direct sequel to Godzilla Minus One and is set in 1949, two years after that film.
Do I need to watch Godzilla Minus One first?
You can follow the monster story without it, but the sequel continues the same characters, so watching Minus One first makes the story land better. It is streaming on Netflix in the US.
Is King Ghidorah in Godzilla Minus Zero?
Yes. King Ghidorah is the new monster threat in the film.
What is Godzilla Minus Zero rated?
It is rated R in the US for some violent content and bloody images.
How long is Godzilla Minus Zero?
135 minutes.
How much did Godzilla Minus Zero make on opening weekend?
About $30.6 million in North America, according to The Numbers, which made it No. 1 and a record debut for a foreign-language film.
Where can I stream Godzilla Minus Zero?
Nowhere yet. It is only in theaters, and no digital or streaming date has been announced.
Is Godzilla Minus Zero on Netflix?
No. Godzilla Minus One is on Netflix, but the sequel is in theaters only.
Sources: release dates, cast and crew are from Wikipedia and Rotten Tomatoes. Plot setup is from The Globe and Mail and Wikipedia. Box office is from The Numbers, NBC News and SlashFilm. Rating and reviews are from RogerEbert.com, The Globe and Mail and NBC News. Streaming information is from Screen Rant. This page is not affiliated with Toho or GKIDS.
Image credit: the featured image is an original graphic made by ReadersFusion and uses no stills from the film. If you are a rights holder and would like anything changed, see our terms of service or contact us.
