Fans of Godzilla, and especially those who really liked the 2023 film Minus One, can look forward to the sequel in 2026. It has now been announced when we can expect a theatrical release.
Godzilla Minus One surprised fans of the giant lizard in 2023. Not only did the film come from Godzilla’s country of origin, Japan, but it also captivated with a thrilling, deeply human story set during World War II.
With a comparatively low budget, which according to IMDb was around €13 million, director Takashi Yamazaki and his team managed to create a spectacular and believable entry in the long history of Godzilla. Despite the sparse production costs for such a film, the film presented impressive visual effects and even won the Oscar in this category in 2024 for this achievement.
As of today, Rotten Tomatoes ranks Minus One at position 1 in the franchise and has an average score of 99% from 213 critics. Users rate nearly as high, with over 5,000 ratings averaging 98%. MeinMMO editor Niko Hernes was also very impressed in his review.
It was only a matter of time before the sequel comes our way. Now it is clear when we can expect Godzilla’s return to the big screen. The date follows a traditional day.
The Day of the Lizard is in November
When is the new film coming out? The title has been known for some time and is consequently Minus Zero. According to the official website of Godzilla, the film is set to hit theaters in Japan on November 3, 2026 – just in time for the annual Godzilla Day, when the original, very first film premiered in 1954. The predecessor Minus One was also released on this day in Japan.
In North America, Minus Zero premieres on November 6, 2026, just three days later. Although there is currently no date for Europe or even Germany according to the official website, it is expected that it will be the same as in North America.
This was also the case with the predecessor, which was released in the West on December 1, 2023, nearly a month after the Japanese release. This time, less than a week will separate the release in Japan and the West, which is a first. Typically, significantly more time passed.
Can the film be streamed? Not at the theatrical release, but it could be possible shortly afterward. In the case of the predecessor Minus One, Netflix added the film to its program in June 2024, where it is still available today. Therefore, it is possible that Godzilla Minus Zero will also be available on this streaming service after its theatrical run.
What is known about the plot? Unfortunately, almost nothing. The producing studio Tōhō is keeping quiet about the story, and as of now, we only know that it is supposed to be a sequel, a direct continuation. In the past, director Takashi Yamazaki has talked about a slimy monster he is a fan of – whether we will see it in the finished film remains to be seen.
Godzilla Minus Zero follows in big footsteps, as the predecessor is the most successful Japanese Godzilla film of all time and has grossed around €97 million worldwide according to Box Office Mojo.
The expectations of fans are likely high given the quality of Minus One. But what do you think about it? Are you looking forward to the return of the giant lizard, and what do you want to see from the sequel? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Maybe one of the enemies from our list will return: The 10 most powerful enemies of Godzilla in the power ranking
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