By Irshad Khan 
The King of Monsters is ready for his next rampage. On November 2, 2025, Toho Studios announced the official sequel to the Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One: Godzilla Minus Zero (stylized as Godzilla -0.0). Revealed during Godzilla Day 2025 in Tokyo, this announcement marks a historic milestone for the legendary 70-year-old franchise. Director Takashi Yamazaki is returning to lead the project, bringing the same creative vision that made its predecessor a global phenomenon.
The $113 Million Phenomenon
Made on just $10-15 million, Godzilla Minus One became a global sensation, earning $113.6 million at the worldwide box office. The 2023 film dethroned Shin Godzilla (2016) to become the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film ever, with $57.1 million from North America alone and $48.2 million from Japan. Beyond the numbers, it won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects—making it the first Japanese film ever to claim this honor.
This unprecedented success fundamentally shifted how the industry views international cinema. The film proved that audiences worldwide hunger for intelligent, emotionally resonant storytelling over spectacle alone. Set in post-war Japan, it grounded Godzilla as a metaphor for trauma and survival rather than just mindless destruction.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
Director Takashi Yamazaki will return to direct, write, and supervise visual effects for Godzilla Minus Zero. The title—stylized as Godzilla -0.0—suggests a conceptual shift from its predecessor. If Minus One explored survival amid devastation, Minus Zero could represent a complete reset or a return to ground zero in humanity’s struggle against the kaiju.
Production is slated to begin in New Zealand and Norway before the end of 2025, with a late 2026 release target. The expanded budget and international locations signal an even more ambitious vision than its predecessor, while maintaining the artistic integrity that made Minus One special.
How Godzilla Stacks Up
The Godzilla franchise spans decades, with each era bringing different interpretations. Here’s where Godzilla Minus One ranks among recent blockbusters:
| Film | Worldwide Box Office |
| Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) | $572.5 Million |
| Godzilla (2014) | $529 Million |
| Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) | $470.1 Million |
| Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) | $387.3 Million |
| Godzilla Minus One (2023) | $113.6 Million |
| Shin Godzilla (2016) | $78 Million |
| Godzilla (1998) | $379 Million |
While Godzilla Minus One earned less than Hollywood’s big-budget MonsterVerse entries, its achievement is remarkable: made on 1/10th to 1/15th of their budgets, it proved that artistry can triumph over spectacle. On a shoestring budget, Yamazaki’s vision captivated audiences globally and earned industry recognition with an Oscar.
A New Era for Kaiju Cinema
The success of Godzilla Minus One and the greenlight for Minus Zero signal a fundamental shift in how the entertainment industry views international filmmaking. It’s no longer acceptable to dismiss non-English films as niche products—they can be major blockbuster attractions.
With director Yamazaki at the helm and increased resources behind him, Godzilla Minus Zero could push the boundaries of what kaiju cinema can achieve. The question now isn’t whether it will succeed commercially—it’s whether it will match or exceed the artistic and cultural impact of its celebrated predecessor. For fans of monster movies and international cinema alike, the wait is on.