Godzilla Minus Zero Sets Foreign-Language Box Office Record

Godzilla Minus Zero led North American theaters with an estimated $31.6 million debut, the biggest opening for a live-action foreign-language film in the region. The Japanese production, directed by Takashi Yamazaki, is set in postwar Japan and follows the 2023 film Godzilla Minus One.

The sequel drew strong reviews and an A CinemaScore from moviegoers. Its $31.6 million opening puts it on course to surpass the North American total of its predecessor, which earned about $57 million. The new film also opened in Japan, where it took in roughly $17 million over the weekend.

The animated The Cat in the Hat, starring Bill Hader’s voice, placed behind Godzilla with an estimated $20 million to $20.5 million from North American theaters. It added $10 million overseas. Audiences gave it an A CinemaScore, while critics’ ratings were considerably weaker. The film’s reported production budget ranged from $86 million to $92 million.

Indian epic Ramayana: Rise of a Legend opened in 1,300 North American theaters, the widest release there for an Indian film, and earned about $8.7 million domestically. It also launched in India, where it brought in $32 million. The two-part production is among the most expensive Indian films ever made.

Searchlight’s Wild Horse Nine, directed by Martin McDonagh and starring John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, collected $6 million in North America and $6.6 million internationally. Its domestic theater count is expected to roughly double next weekend. Overall, box office sales rose sharply from the previous weekend, as theaters look toward the holiday release season.