TOHO and GKIDS announced today that GKIDS will distribute TOHO’s GODZILLA MINUS ZERO, the highly anticipated new film from director/screenwriter Takashi Yamazaki, following his critically-acclaimed Godzilla Minus One. That landmark film is the highest recorded grossing Japan-produced Godzilla film, earning more than $116 million worldwide and winning Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy AwardsⓇ, becoming the first Asian film to take home the award. TOHO will release GODZILLA MINUS ZERO theatrically in Japan on Tuesday, November 3, with GKIDS set to launch a wide theatrical release across North America beginning Friday, November 6, 2026.
The release date of November 3rd holds a special significance in Godzilla’s storied legacy, marking the date of the original theatrical release of Godzilla in 1954. Now, 72 years after the birth of the iconic creature, and three years after the global success of Godzilla Minus One (released in Japan on November 3, 2023), GODZILLA MINUS ZERO is set to continue the monster’s undeniable legacy, making its debut on Japan’s Godzilla Day 2026. Additionally, the near-simultaneous release in Japan and North America marks the first time in the history of the Japan-produced Godzilla series that such a rollout will take place. Release dates for additional territories will be announced at a later date.
On November 1, 2024 following the global success of Godzilla Minus One, the production of a new Godzilla feature was officially announced, and a year later on the celebrated November 3rd “Godzilla Day”, during “Godzilla Fest 2025”, the title of the new Godzilla film was revealed as GODZILLA MINUS ZERO. While plot details for GODZILLA MINUS ZERO remain tightly under wraps, Oscar-winning filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki returns as Director, Screenwriter and VFX Supervisor for his new film starring the King of the Monsters, following the success of Godzilla Minus One. Produced by Toho Studios and ROBOT, with VFX from SHIROGUMI Inc., the film is currently in production.
“GKIDS is proud to bring Godzilla Minus Zero to North American audiences, following the incredible global reception of Godzilla Minus One,” said David Jesteadt, President at GKIDS. “This next chapter is sure to become another defining moment for the most colossal monster ever to dominate the screen. It is only fitting that this bold, new Godzilla event be experienced in its fullest theatrical glory, and we’re honored that TOHO has entrusted us to carry this legacy forward.”
GODZILLA MINUS ZERO marks GKIDS’ second stewardship of a Godzilla franchise film from TOHO for North American release, following TOHO’s acquisition of GKIDS in 2024. Last year, GKIDS spearheaded a new 4K remaster and theatrical re-release of TOHO’s globally acclaimed Shin Godzilla, directed by Hideaki Anno and co-directed by Shinji Higuchi–creators of the cult-classic anime Neon Genesis Evangelion–introducing the landmark 2016 film to a new generation of audiences outside of Japan. Notably, Shin Godzilla held the record as the highest-grossing Japan-produced entry in the franchise for seven years, earning $78 million worldwide until it was surpassed by Godzilla Minus One in 2023.
Source: Press Release
