Godzilla Minus Zero is already a huge box office success. Godzilla doesn’t need a Hollywood-sized budget to dominate the box office. Godzilla Minus Zero has already earned more than three times its reported budget, and it did it in just its opening weekend.
Takashi Yamazaki’s sequel to the Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One took in around $63 million worldwide from November 6 to 8. That includes a $31.6 million debut in North America from 3,254 theaters, which, as we reported over the weekend, is the biggest US opening ever for a live-action foreign-language film.
A Fraction of the Cost
What makes the numbers even more impressive is how little the film cost. The production budget has been reported at around $13 million to $15 million, with some estimates putting it at under $20 million. Even using the highest figure, the opening weekend alone has brought in more than three times that amount.
For comparison, Hollywood’s own MonsterVerse entries typically cost well over $100 million to make. Yamazaki’s team at Toho once again proved that clever filmmaking and strong storytelling can go a long way, just as Minus One did when it won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects on a famously small budget.
Critics Are On Board Too
It isn’t just audiences turning up. The film has been warmly received by critics, holding a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Premium formats like IMAX have also played a big part in the opening, with fans eager to see the King of the Monsters on the biggest screens possible.
With strong reviews, word of mouth and the holiday season ahead, Godzilla Minus Zero looks set to keep stomping its way up the charts in the weeks to come.
Learn more about Variety.
Godzilla Minus Zero: Related Reading
- James Gunn and Peter Safran Will Step Down as DC Studios Chiefs, With Marvel Veteran Jeremy Latcham Taking Over
- James Gunn Bids Farewell to DC Studios With a Heartfelt Note to Fans
For more stories like this, browse our Movies section.