Godzilla Minus Zero has made a powerful entry into the North American box office, earning an estimated $31.6 million during its opening weekend. The Japanese monster film secured the top position in the domestic rankings, comfortably outperforming Warner Bros.' animated release The Cat in the Hat. Its debut has also set a major record for foreign-language live-action films in North America, marking another significant achievement for the long-running Godzilla franchise.

Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the film is the follow-up to 2023's Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One. Its impressive opening suggests that audiences remain interested in the franchise's Japanese storytelling approach, particularly after the international success of its predecessor.

Godzilla Minus Zero Records Biggest Opening for a Live-Action Foreign-Language Film

Released in 3,254 North American theatres on November 6, 2026, Godzilla Minus Zero collected approximately $31.6 million over its first three days. The opening established a new record for a live-action foreign-language film at the North American box office. The film also delivered a significant milestone for its distributor, GKIDS, surpassing the company's previous opening-weekend record of $13 million set by Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron in 2023.

The sequel's domestic debut was nearly three times the $11.4 million opening earned by Godzilla Minus One in December 2023. That earlier instalment eventually collected approximately $57.1 million in North America and around $114 million worldwide. With its strong first weekend, Godzilla Minus Zero has positioned itself to potentially surpass its predecessor's domestic total, although its performance over the coming weeks will determine whether it can achieve that milestone.

The Cat in the Hat Finishes Second With $20.5 Million

While Godzilla dominated the weekend, The Cat in the Hat had to settle for second place. The animated film, featuring Bill Hader as the voice of the titular character, earned approximately $20.5 million in North America during its opening weekend. Its international earnings added another $10 million, taking its worldwide debut to approximately $30.5 million.

Although the film managed a respectable global opening, it could not match the momentum generated by the Japanese monster sequel. The competition also highlights the different audiences targeted by the two releases. The Cat in the Hat is positioned as family entertainment, while Godzilla Minus Zero attracted moviegoers interested in large-scale monster action and the franchise's continuing story.

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Godzilla Minus Zero Earns $63 Million Worldwide

Beyond North America, Godzilla Minus Zero collected approximately $31.4 million from international markets during its opening weekend. This included around $17 million from Japan, where the film opened on November 3, coinciding with the 72nd anniversary of the original Godzilla movie's release.

Combining its domestic and international earnings, the sequel reached an estimated worldwide opening of $63 million. The near-simultaneous international rollout helped the film build a strong global debut, extending the franchise's reach beyond its home market.

Its release also marked an important moment for Toho's iconic monster series, which has continued to attract international audiences through Japanese-language productions. The success of Godzilla Minus One established a strong foundation, and the latest instalment has started its theatrical run with even greater opening-weekend momentum.

Strong Audience Response Could Help Godzilla Minus Zero Beat Its Predecessor

The sequel's opening numbers have been supported by positive audience reactions. Godzilla Minus Zero received an A CinemaScore grade, alongside strong critics' and audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes during its opening weekend. These early responses could help the film maintain its box office momentum beyond its debut. Its predecessor benefited from strong word of mouth and eventually became a major international success, so the sequel will be closely watched as it moves into its second weekend.

The film's performance also arrives at a time when international productions are demonstrating their ability to compete with major Hollywood releases. Its record-breaking debut provides another example of how a Japanese-language film can attract a substantial North American theatrical audience.

Final Take

Godzilla Minus Zero has delivered a remarkable start with a $31.6 million North American opening and an estimated $63 million worldwide debut. By outperforming The Cat in the Hat and setting a new record for live-action foreign-language films in North America, the sequel has established itself as one of the major box office stories of November 2026. Its next challenge will be maintaining audience interest and surpassing the impressive theatrical run of Godzilla Minus One.

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