Godzilla Minus Zero Sets Foreign Live-Action Box Office Record
Godzilla Minus Zero topped the North American box office with a $31.6 million debut from 3,254 theaters during the weekend ending Nov. 8, 2026.
That figure sets an all-time record for the biggest opening weekend for a foreign live-action film in North America. Variety reported that the Toho production shattered the previous record held by China’s Hero, which opened to $17.8 million in 2002. This landmark release is the result of a thoughtful campaign by Gkids and Toho that emphasized the ‘must-see’ intensity of the theatrical experience, says Chance Huskey, VP of distribution for Gkids.
Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the sci-fi epic serves as a direct follow-up to 2023’s Godzilla Minus One. The predecessor opened to $11.4 million domestically and finished its run with $57 million.
Ticket sales for Godzilla Minus Zero benefited from outsized interest in premium formats. Imax screens contributed $12.7 million, accounting for 40% of the domestic gross, while premium large formats overall drove 74% of sales. The Japanese production marks the first Imax release ever filmed for the company.
We’re so happy to see audiences embrace Godzilla Minus Zero at an unprecedented scale for an international film,
said Chance Huskey, VP of distribution for Gkids.
The film received a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A grade on CinemaScore exit polls. David A.
The Cat in the Hat placed second on the weekend chart with a $20.5 million debut across 4,003 locations, while international markets added $10 million for a $30.5 million global start. The Warner Bros. animated adaptation, which stars Bill Hader as the voice of the titular character, fell short of the 2003 live-action film’s $38 million opening. The $92 million-budgeted movie received a 45% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A grade on CinemaScore.
Angel Studios’ historical musical Drummer Boy took third place with $9.3 million from 2,850 theaters. Meanwhile, the documentary You Can See Everything landed in fourth place with $8.9 million, bringing its cumulative domestic gross past $70 million.
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