Godzilla Minus Zero Leads Box Office Forecasts After $6.7 Million Previews

"Godzilla Minus Zero" arrives as the sequel to 2023's "Godzilla Minus One," a surprise hit that went on to win an Oscar, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. That success gave director Takashi Yamazaki a substantial act to follow.

The early box office forecast put the sequel ahead of its new competition. On November 4, Variety Movies projected a $30 million North American opening from 3,254 theaters, compared with a $20 million debut for "Cat in the Hat."

On November 5, Anime News Network reported that the film had achieved the highest opening day ever for a live-action film in Japan. Its Tuesday opening brought in 910 million yen from 590,000 tickets sold.

That same day, Deadline Hollywood forecast a worldwide opening above $60 million. The estimate pointed to a strong international launch alongside the expected North American lead, rather than a completed weekend result.

The first North American preview estimates followed on November 6. Deadline Hollywood reported around $6 million, including fan screenings held on Tuesday for Godzilla Day.

A later November 6 report from Variety Movies put previews at $6.7 million. That figure is higher than the earlier estimate, giving the film a stronger starting point as the weekend unfolds.

The clearest distinction is between money already earned and money forecast. The $6.7 million preview figure is reported box office revenue; the $30 million North American opening and worldwide debut above $60 million remain projections, according to Variety Movies, Variety Movies and Deadline Hollywood.

The film is also drawing attention for its approach to the franchise. IndieWire Movies examined its R rating, IMAX filming and monster battles, while TIME.com described it as entertainment with a melancholy heart. Those assessments offer context for the interest, not a measure of its eventual box office.

The next test is the full opening weekend: whether the film reaches its projected $30 million in North America and clears $60 million worldwide. Those results will show how the strong previews translate into the broader launch forecast by Variety Movies and Deadline Hollywood.

A third film remains a separate question. IGN All Gaming reported that Yamazaki put his chances of returning at "fifty-fifty." Bleeding Cool subsequently reported that he was not ruling out another film, but not right away.