“Godzilla Minus Zero” opened at No. 1 at the North American box office with an estimated $31.6 million, the biggest debut ever for a live-action film in a language other than English.
The Japanese sequel took in $14.5 million on Friday, including previews, across 3,254 theatres, according to industry estimates reported Sunday. It nearly tripled the $11.4 million opening of “Godzilla Minus One” in December 2023, and passed the $17.8 million record held by Zhang Yimou’s “Hero” since 2004.
Worldwide, the film has grossed an estimated $63 million. It added about $31 million overseas, including $17 million in Japan, where it opened on November 3.
The opening set a record for GKIDS, the film’s US distributor, passing the $13 million debut of Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” in 2023. Imax screens contributed $12.7 million in North America. Audiences gave the film an A grade on CinemaScore.
Director Takashi Yamazaki returned to write and direct the sequel, with Ryunosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe reprising their roles from the first film. “Godzilla Minus One” won an Oscar for visual effects and went on to gross more than $57 million in the US.
Warner Bros.’ “The Cat in the Hat” took second place with an estimated $20 million from 4,003 theatres, despite playing in about 750 more cinemas than “Godzilla Minus Zero”. The animated Dr. Seuss film added $10 million overseas for a global start of $30.5 million.
Final weekend totals are expected on Monday, November 9.
Source: Variety
