In brief
In Los Angeles on Sunday, "Godzilla Minus Zero" opened and pulled in a record US$31.6 million, eclipsing Zhang Yimou’s 2004 film "Hero". Distributed by GKIDS, the film earned a 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating and an 'A' on CinemaScore. Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s "The Cat in the Hat" and Angel Studios’ "Drummer Boy" rounded out the top three.
On Sunday night in Los Angeles, the Japanese science‑fiction film Godzilla Minus Zero opened at the top of the North American box office, accumulating roughly US$31.6 million over its first weekend—a new benchmark for foreign‑language live‑action releases.
Produced by the Japanese studio, the picture follows the 2023 Oscar‑winning Godzilla Minus One and marks the 39th entry in the iconic franchise that has spanned almost six decades.
Record‑Breaking Opening
According to data from measurement firm Rentrak, the film eclipsed the 2004 record held by Zhang Yimou’s Hero, which had earned US$17.8 million in its debut—doubling that figure in a single weekend.
GKIDS, a North American distributor that acquired the rights, notes that the 31.6‑million haul is the largest opening ever for a live‑action foreign‑language film in the region. Industry observers view the result as a testament to the persisting hunger for high‑concept monster cinema among U.S. audiences.
The film’s favorable reception is reflected in its 90 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, derived from 170 critic reviews, and an “A” grade on CinemaScore’s scale—an indicator that both critics and cinemagoers are welcoming the monster’s return.
Other Top Performers
Shortly after, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s family fantasy The Cat in the Hat, based on the 1957 children's book of the same name, secured second place, drawing about US$20.5 million in its opening weekend.
Angel Studios’ period musical drama Drummer Boy finished third, earning US$9.3 million. The musical’s narrative centers on a drummer’s journey during a tumultuous era, and its box office shows a continued appetite for historically themed films.
With the franchise’s striking debut, GKIDS has positioned itself to dominate the mid‑2026 release season, while the success of The Cat in the Hat and Drummer Boy underscores the diversity of films drawing audiences to theaters today.
