'Godzilla Minus Zero' sets a North American record for a live-action foreign-language opening

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 11) — "Godzilla Minus Zero" opened at No. 1 in North America with about $30.5 million from 3,254 theaters, the biggest opening weekend ever for a live-action foreign-language film, Variety reported from final weekend figures. Studio estimates on Sunday had put the debut at $31.6 million.

The previous record belonged to China's martial arts film "Hero," which opened to $17.8 million in North America in 2004, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The overall mark for a foreign-language release still belongs to the animated "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle," which opened to $70.6 million last year.

Directed by Takashi Yamazaki and released in North America by Gkids with Japan's Toho, the film is the sequel to 2023's "Godzilla Minus One," which opened to $11.4 million and won the Oscar for visual effects. It is also the first Japanese production filmed for Imax, and Imax screens brought in about 40% of the domestic total, both trade outlets reported. Premium large-format screens as a group accounted for 74% of ticket sales, Deadline reported.

"We're so happy to see audiences embrace 'Godzilla Minus Zero' at an unprecedented scale for an international film," Gkids distribution executive Chance Huskey said in a statement. Yamazaki said the reception "honestly feels like a dream," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The movie added $31.4 million overseas for a global start of about $62 million, Variety reported. It is the biggest opening in Gkids' history, ahead of the $13 million debut of 2023's "The Boy and the Heron."

Warner Bros.' animated "The Cat in the Hat," with Bill Hader voicing the title character, opened in second place with about $20 million from 4,003 theaters. Both trade outlets put the film's budget at $92 million. Audiences gave it an "A" CinemaScore, which the studio hopes will help it hold up through Thanksgiving. "This is a soft opening," box office analyst David A. Gross told Variety.

Year-to-date domestic ticket sales stand at about $8.6 billion, roughly 20% ahead of the same point in 2025, according to both outlets. Next weekend brings Paramount's "Ebenezer," starring Johnny Depp.