“Shin Godzilla” made $1.9 million during its entire run in the U.S. back in 2016 and long before the pandemic upended the industry. “Godzilla Minus One” has a real shot at crossing the $50 million mark in the States before all’s said and done. That’s downright remarkable for a movie that has been driven almost entirely by word-of-mouth in the country. While this movie has been received exceptionally well by critics and audiences alike (read our review here), it’s worth remembering that “Shin Godzilla” was hailed in its day as well. Yet, that meant close to nothing in terms of getting moviegoers out in America at that time.
On the flip side, “Shin Godzilla” made almost all of its money in Japan, whereas “Godzilla Minus One” has made just over $32 million to date in the country. It’s a fascinating, unexpected turn of events. It also helped provide the domestic box office with a much-needed boost at the end of 2023 when things were looking a little bleak. Godzilla may be the villain of the movie in question, but he’s a hero to movie theater owners right now.
It’s tough not to marvel at the fact that seven decades in, this franchise is now having its biggest moment with a movie that wasn’t expected to be this big of a deal. Apple TV+ also is coming up on the finale of “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,” with “Godzilla x Kong” right around the corner. It is undeniably a very good time to be a fan of the King of the Monsters. The big question right now is whether or not Toho will capitalize on the success. Will we get a sequel? Or are they going to treat this as a one-and-done? What remains certain is that Godzilla has a future on the silver screen, it’s just a matter of what shape it will take.
“Godzilla Minus One” is in theaters now.