A Home-Media Feeding Frenzy
Criterion’s summer sale has slashed all three of its new 4K Godzilla releases—Godzilla vs. Biollante, the original 1954 classic, and the 15-film Showa-Era Films box—to half price at Amazon. The discounts run through Prime Day (July 7) and include newly created HDR masters, archival interviews, and thick liner-book essays for physical-media die-hards.
Kaiju Tourism Levels Up
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, whose full-scale Godzilla head already peers over Kabukichō, just opened a single “Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah” concept suite for its 10-year anniversary. Guests wake up beneath a ceiling diorama of the two Titans locked in mid-battle, with city-light projections that react to motion sensors. Weekend packages include a behind-the-scenes tour of Toho Studios’ miniature warehouse.
Alamo Drafthouse has meanwhile inked a multi-year deal with Toho. The first kaiju-themed auditorium debuts next month at Valley Fair in Santa Clara, followed by rolling nationwide Godzilla marathons, popcorn buckets sculpted from a 3-D scan of 1964’s suit, and an annual “G-Day” party every November 3.
Collectibles, Comics & Tabletop
Tamashii Nations’ newest S.H.MonsterArts reveal is a meticulously jointed King Ghidorah in his 1972 Godzilla vs. Gigan design—214 mm tall, LED eyes, detachable gravity-beam effects, and a $260 price tag ahead of SDCC preorders.
On shelves July 2, Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong II #2 sends Task Force X into Hollow Earth while Superman tangles with a very cranky Kong. Early orders on issue #1 sold out at Diamond, and McFarlane Toys has already previewed a 12-inch Godzilla-versus-Superman figure set.
Tabletop fans should watch Battle Monsters, a modernized reboot of 1992’s Battle Masters that swaps Warhammer units for MonsterVerse kaiju on a three-foot neoprene battlefield. Kickstarter goes live this fall, retail launch in 2025.
Big-Screen Pipeline
Godzilla x Kong: Supernova begins principal photography this month on Australia’s Gold Coast under director Grant Sputore. New cast additions include Kaitlyn Dever, Jack O’Connell, Delroy Lindo, and Sam Neill. Legendary has staked out March 26 2027 for release, with an IMAX-shot Hollow Earth set piece already in previs.
Hideaki Anno’s politically charged Shin Godzilla returns to U.S. theaters August 14 in a 4K remaster from GKIDS/Toho, with a steel-book home release confirmed for early 2026.
Prestige & Streaming
After grossing $103 million worldwide and landing the first ever VFX Oscar for a Japanese film, Godzilla Minus One is now streaming on Netflix. Tom Cruise recently called it “so beautiful and human—you reinvented the genre” during a filmed chat with director Takashi Yamazaki and Christopher McQuarrie, a rare cross-franchise seal of approval.
Apple TV+ has wrapped filming on Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2; VFX work pushes its likely premiere to early 2026, but producers tease more Titan screen time and a Cold-War flashback episode.
Beyond the Screen
Toho just earmarked ¥15 billion for console-game development. While no titles are named, insiders hint at a next-gen destruction simulator and a roguelike built around classic suit designs.
On Nintendo Switch, strategy puzzler Godzilla Voxel Wars finally stomps westward on February 20 2025, and July sees the bilingual launch of a new Godzilla collectible card game that mixes deck-building with area control.
Quick-Look Scorecard
- 4K remasters: live through July 7
- Travel experiences: Shinjuku suite now booking; Alamo rollout August → November
- Collectibles: Ghidorah SDCC preorder, McFarlane crossover figures
- Movies: Supernova (2027), Shin Godzilla 4K (Aug 14 2025)
- TV: Monarch S2 in post-production
- Games & tabletop: console titles in dev, Voxel Wars 2/20/25, Battle Monsters Kickstarter Q4
Stay tuned—the King of the Monsters shows no sign of slowing down.
Godzilla Minus One
Godzilla Minus One stormed into theaters in Japan on November 3, 2023, bringing the iconic monster back to the big screen for Toho’s 70th anniversary celebration of the franchise. The film later made its way to the United States on December 1, 2023, marking an important international release for this Japanese kaiju film. The movie received a home release on physical media with 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD versions becoming available for purchase beginning November 19, 2024.
The film premiered at a special screening at the Shinjuku Tōhō Building on October 18, 2023, before its wider theatrical release. Critics have responded positively to this latest incarnation of the legendary monster, with some reviewers giving it perfect scores. This enthusiasm has helped position Godzilla Minus One as one of the most acclaimed entries in the long-running franchise.
The latest news regarding Godzilla Minus One primarily revolves around its highly anticipated sequel and its recent streaming release.
Here’s a breakdown:
Sequel to Godzilla Minus One:
- Confirmed and Underway: Toho has officially greenlit a direct sequel to Godzilla Minus One, with director Takashi Yamazaki returning to write, direct, and handle the visual effects.
- Production Gearing Up: News from a “Film Staff Development Project” listing indicates that the sequel is looking to fill various production roles, with acceptance dates mentioned for “Early August.” This suggests that filming could be starting sooner than many expected.
- Bigger Budget: Yamazaki has confirmed that the sequel will have a larger budget compared to the first film, which famously achieved its Oscar-winning visual effects on a relatively modest budget. This has fans excited about what can be achieved with more resources.
- Story Details: While specific plot details are scarce, it’s expected that the sequel will pick up not long after the events of Godzilla Minus One, potentially exploring the fate of the characters and addressing the mysterious black infection seen on Noriko. There’s also speculation about whether Godzilla will face another kaiju in the sequel, with some reports suggesting Yamazaki is interested in a “versus” film.
- Toho’s “Godzilla Strategy”: Beyond the sequel, Toho is making a significant investment in expanding the Godzilla IP globally, including new movies, anime, games, and merchandise, with a focus on increasing international sales.
Streaming Release:
- Godzilla Minus One made a surprise streaming debut on Netflix on June 1, 2024, to widespread acclaim and quickly topped global charts.
- The black and white version, Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color, is also available for digital purchase and rental, and is expected to hit Netflix later in the summer of 2024.
- The film is also available for digital purchase and rental on various platforms like Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, and Microsoft.
Key Takeaways
- Godzilla Minus One was released in Japan on November 3, 2023, and in the United States on December 1, 2023.
- The film became available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD starting November 19, 2024.
- Critics have praised the film highly, making it a standout entry in the seven-decade Godzilla franchise.
Godzilla Minus One Overview
Godzilla Minus One marks a significant return for the iconic monster in Japanese cinema, bringing together impressive visual effects with compelling human drama. The film has gained international recognition for its technical achievements and storytelling approach.
Film Production Details
Godzilla Minus One was directed by Takashi Yamazaki, who worked alongside producer Noriko Oishi to create this addition to Toho’s legendary kaiju franchise. Released initially in Japan, the film made its United States debut on December 1, 2023.
The production features remarkable VFX work, which has been widely praised by critics and audiences alike. Yamazaki’s direction brings a fresh perspective to the long-running series while honoring its roots.
The film stars Ryunosuke Kamiki in a leading role, with performances that ground the monster action in human emotion and stakes.
Netflix acquired streaming rights to the film, making it available worldwide on their platform starting June 1, 2024.
Plot and Expectations
Set in post-WWII Japan, Godzilla Minus One explores a nation already devastated by war now facing an even more terrifying threat. The film portrays Japan at its lowest point—”minus one”—as it confronts the emergence of Godzilla.
The story balances spectacular destruction sequences with engaging human narratives, a combination that has earned the film strong reviews. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes have particularly noted how the movie remains “truly compelling between the scenes of mass destruction.”
The film’s approach differs from recent American Godzilla entries by focusing more on the human impact of kaiju attacks rather than just spectacle.
For the 70th anniversary of the Godzilla franchise, a special re-release is planned for November 1, 2024, giving fans another opportunity to experience this acclaimed entry in theaters.
Release Information and Reception
Godzilla Minus One enjoyed a phased global release strategy starting in late 2023, winning over both critics and audiences worldwide. The film’s critical success culminated in an Academy Award win and plans for a theatrical re-release in November 2024.
Global Release Dates
Godzilla Minus One premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival on November 1, 2023, followed by its general Japanese release on November 3, 2023. The film then expanded internationally, reaching theaters in Austria and Australia on December 1, 2023.
For fans who missed the initial theatrical run, there’s good news. The film will return to theaters with a special re-release starting November 1, 2024. This re-release will include both the original version and the special “Minus Color” black and white edition.
The home media release began with the Japanese Blu-ray, which launched on May 1, 2024. Based on previous patterns with films like Shin Godzilla, the US home release likely followed about six months after the Japanese Blu-ray release.
Critical Reception and Ratings
Godzilla Minus One received exceptional critical acclaim on Rotten Tomatoes, where reviewers praised its balance of engaging human stories alongside spectacular kaiju destruction sequences. Critics noted the film remains compelling even between the monster scenes.
The film’s success was further validated by its historic Oscar win, making it the first Godzilla film to receive an Academy Award. This critical recognition helped elevate the film beyond typical monster movie expectations.
Audience reception matched critical enthusiasm, with strong attendance figures across global markets. The film’s success with viewers led to the decision for the 2024 theatrical re-release, allowing new audiences to experience the film and fans to revisit it on the big screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fans have many questions about Godzilla Minus One’s availability across different platforms and regions. Release dates, physical media options, and future plans for the franchise are among the most common inquiries.
What is the official release date of Godzilla Minus One on Netflix?
Godzilla Minus One is not currently scheduled for release on Netflix. The film has primarily followed theatrical and physical media distribution channels rather than streaming platforms.
The movie’s distribution rights for streaming services have not been announced publicly at this time.
When will Godzilla Minus One be available on DVD and Blu-ray?
Godzilla Minus One will be released on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD beginning November 19, 2024. This physical media release follows the film’s successful theatrical run.
The release is currently available for pre-order on Amazon in multiple formats to suit different viewing preferences.
Has Godzilla Minus One been confirmed for a release in the United States?
Yes, Godzilla Minus One was released in the United States on December 1, 2023. The film had a successful theatrical run in American cinemas.
Additionally, the film will return to theaters on November 1, 2024, including both the original version and the black-and-white “Minus Color” edition. This special re-release will feature bonus content including a VFX reel and Q&A.
Can audiences expect a sequel to Godzilla Minus One titled Godzilla Minus One 2?
No official announcement has been made regarding a sequel titled Godzilla Minus One 2. The film’s success might warrant consideration of a follow-up, but nothing has been confirmed by the production company.
Toho, the studio behind Godzilla films, typically evaluates box office performance and audience reception before greenlighting sequels.
What was the budget for the production of Godzilla Minus One?
Godzilla Minus One was produced on a relatively modest budget compared to Hollywood monster movies. The film was made for approximately $15 million.
This budget efficiency has been widely praised given the high quality of the special effects and overall production value achieved by the filmmakers.
How did Godzilla Minus One perform at the box office?
Godzilla Minus One performed exceptionally well at the box office, especially considering its modest budget. The film grossed over $110 million worldwide.
In Japan, it became one of the highest-grossing Godzilla films in the franchise’s history. In North America, it earned approximately $56 million, making it the highest-grossing Japanese film ever released in the region.
