'Godzilla Minus Zero' sets foreign-language opening weekend record

'Godzilla Minus Zero' earns at least $33m domestically, setting new opening weekend record in North America

Godzilla Minus Zero has set a new North American box office record, delivering the biggest domestic opening weekend ever for a foreign-language live-action film.

The latest entry in the Japanese monster franchise is projected to earn at least $33 million in domestic ticket sales during its opening weekend, following a Friday debut that generated more than $14.5 million.

Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the sequel has nearly tripled the opening weekend performance of 2023's Godzilla Minus One.

The film has also recorded an opening weekend record in Japan. Its international earnings are expected to bring its worldwide opening total to more than $65 million, with estimates suggesting it could approach $70 million.

Audience reception has been positive, with the film receiving an A grade from CinemaScore. It has also earned a 90 per cent critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 96 per cent audience approval rating from verified ticket-holders.

Premium cinema formats have contributed significantly to its North American performance.

Approximately three-quarters of domestic opening weekend ticket sales came from premium screenings, including IMAX and Dolby Cinemas. This reportedly sets a new record for the share of opening weekend revenue generated by premium formats.

The film was shot in IMAX, with its large-scale sequences helping attract audiences to premium screenings.

Strong audience reception and upcoming holiday periods could also support its box office performance in the coming weeks, although it will face competition from releases including Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three.

Yamazaki has also discussed the possibility of directing a third film. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he described the decision as a 50-50 possibility, explaining that he was satisfied with how Godzilla Minus Zero concludes but remained interested in returning to the franchise.