In brief
Japanese science‑fiction film ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ opened at the top of the North American box office, pulling in an estimated $31.6 million from 3,254 theaters on its first weekend. The release set a new record for the biggest opening of a live‑action foreign‑language film in the region, surpassing Zhang Yimou’s 2004 ‘Hero’. Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s ‘The Cat in the Hat’ and Angel Studios’ ‘Drummer Boy’ finished second and third, respectively.
On Saturday night in Los Angeles, the film industry witnessed a blockbuster debut as Godzilla Minus Zero, the Japanese sci‑fi sequel to the 2023 Oscar‑winning “Godzilla Minus One”, topped the North American box office with an estimated $31.6 million in its first weekend, according to Xinhua and the measurement firm Rentrak.
The earnings were generated across 3,254 theaters, a fact noted by Variety, underscoring the film’s wide reach across the United States and Canada.
The performance set a new benchmark for live‑action foreign‑language movies in North America, eclipsing the $17.8 million opening of Zhang Yimou’s “Hero” in 2004, as reported by Xinhua.
Distributed in the United States and Canada by GKIDS, Godzilla Minus Zero follows the 39th entry in the long‑running franchise and carries the momentum of its predecessor, which secured an Oscar for outstanding achievement.
Critical and audience reception has been highly favorable; Rotten Tomatoes lists a 90 percent approval rating based on 170 reviews, and the film earned an “A” grade on CinemaScore’s voting scale.
In contrast, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s fantasy feature “The Cat in the Hat,” adapted from the 1957 children’s book, fell to second place with $20.5 million, while Angel Studios’ historical musical drama “Drummer Boy” finished third, collecting $9.3 million.
Variety’s box‑office coverage noted that the $31.6 million figure came from a broad network of 3,254 screens, highlighting the scale of the film’s theatrical release.
On the global front, the film also reached the top of the worldwide box office with $63 million, surpassing the Indian fantasy epic “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend” according to Deadline.
These numbers signal a robust appetite for high‑concept foreign‑language blockbusters among North American audiences.
The success reinforces the viability of foreign‑language live‑action films in the U.S. market and may influence future distribution strategies for international productions.
