Hot off the heels of 2023’s Godzilla Minus One, Toho has greenlit the latest Japanese entry in the series with Takashi Yamazaki returning to helm the project in a writing, directing and special effects capacity.
January 11th, 2026 update
Toho has revealed the theatrical release date of the latest Godzilla movie: November 3rd in Japan, November 6th in North America! A full press release with additional details can be found below:
TOHO AND GKIDS UNLEASH
IN NORTH AMERICA ON NOVEMBER 6, 2026
OscarⓇ Winning Filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki’s Highly Anticipated New Film
Opens First in Japan on November 3
©2026 TOHO CO., LTD.
Click image for full resolution version
NEW YORK (January 9, 2026) – TOHO and GKIDS, the Academy Award-winning curator, producer, and distributor that was acquired by TOHO in 2024, announced today that GKIDS will distribute TOHO’s GODZILLA MINUS ZERO, the highly anticipated new film from director/screenwriter Takashi Yamazaki, following his critically-acclaimed Godzilla Minus One. That landmark film is the highest recorded grossing Japan-produced Godzilla film, earning more than $116 million worldwide and winning Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy AwardsⓇ, becoming the first Asian film to take home the award. TOHO will release GODZILLA MINUS ZERO theatrically in Japan on Tuesday, November 3, with GKIDS set to launch a wide theatrical release across North America beginning Friday, November 6, 2026.
The release date of November 3rd holds a special significance in Godzilla’s storied legacy, marking the date of the original theatrical release of Godzilla in 1954. Now, 72 years after the birth of the iconic creature, and three years after the global success of Godzilla Minus One (released in Japan November 3, 2023), GODZILLA MINUS ZERO is set to continue the monster’s undeniable legacy, making its debut on Japan’s Godzilla Day 2026. Additionally, the near-simultaneous release in Japan and North America marks the first time in the history of the Japan-produced Godzilla series that such a rollout will take place. Release dates for additional territories will be announced at a later date.
A new visual to celebrate the announcement of the Japanese and North American release dates was additionally revealed.
On November 1, 2024 following the global success of Godzilla Minus One, the production of a new Godzilla feature was officially announced, and a year later on the celebrated November 3rd “Godzilla Day”, during “Godzilla Fest 2025”, the title of the new Godzilla film was revealed as GODZILLA MINUS ZERO. While plot details for GODZILLA MINUS ZERO remain tightly under wraps, Oscar-winning filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki returns as Director, Screenwriter and VFX Supervisor for his new film starring the King of the Monsters, following the success of Godzilla Minus One. Produced by Toho Studios and ROBOT, with VFX from SHIROGUMI Inc., the film is currently in production.
“GKIDS is proud to bring Godzilla Minus Zero to North American audiences, following the incredible global reception of Godzilla Minus One,” said David Jesteadt, President at GKIDS. “This next chapter is sure to become another defining moment for the most colossal monster ever to dominate the screen. It is only fitting that this bold, new Godzilla event be experienced in its fullest theatrical glory, and we’re honored that TOHO has entrusted us to carry this legacy forward.”
GODZILLA MINUS ZERO marks GKIDS’ second stewardship of a Godzilla franchise film from TOHO for North American release, following TOHO’s acquisition of GKIDS in 2024. Last year, GKIDS spearheaded a new 4K remaster and theatrical re-release of TOHO’s globally acclaimed Shin Godzilla, directed by Hideaki Anno and co-directed by Shinji Higuchi–creators of the cult-classic anime Neon Genesis Evangelion–introducing the landmark 2016 film to a new generation of audiences outside of Japan. Notably, Shin Godzilla held the record as the highest-grossing Japan-produced entry in the franchise for seven years, earning $78 million worldwide until it was surpassed by Godzilla Minus One in 2023.
About GKIDS
GKIDS is the Academy Award–winning curator, producer, and distributor of artist-driven, globally inspired cinema dedicated to connecting North American audiences with distinctive stories from around the world. Widely celebrated for its leadership in the “animation is film” movement, the studio has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape for feature animation in the U.S. and internationally for nearly two decades. GKIDS represents the work of many of the world’s most acclaimed animation filmmakers, including Makoto Shinkai (Your Name., Weathering With You), Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress), Tomm Moore (Song of the Sea, Wolfwalkers), Mamoru Hosoda (Mirai, Wolf Children), and serves as the North American home of Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli.
In 2024, GKIDS earned an Academy Award win for Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s renowned masterpiece, The Boy and the Heron, after an extraordinary run of 13 Oscar nominations as an independent company. Building on this legacy, the studio recently expanded into live-action film, applying the same thoughtful curation and innovative distribution strategies to filmmaker-driven projects reflecting diverse global perspectives and bold creative ambition. GKIDS also produces the popular, annual, nationwide Ghibli Fest, and is the founder and producer of the LA-based ANIMATION IS FILM festival, the premier U.S. showcase for global feature animation.
Recent and upcoming GKIDS theatrical releases include the Oscar-shortlisted Japanese entry Kokuho, the Golden Globe-nominated Little Amélie and the Character of Rain, the box office hit Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution, Mamoru Oshii’s cult classic Angel’s Egg, and the critically acclaimed All You Need Is Kill, alongside groundbreaking television series such as Dan Da Dan, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Arcane: League of Legends. @GKIDSFilms
November 3rd, 2025 update
Possibly the biggest news to come out of Godzilla Fest 2025 is the announcement of Godzilla Minus Zero, the highly-anticipated new Japanese Godzilla film to be helmed by returning director Takashi Yamazaki. To coincide with the reveal, a press release is available below:
Godzilla Day (November 3rd) sends shockwaves through the world
Director Takashi Yamazaki Takes on New Godzilla Project
Godzilla Minus Zero
Title Reveal！！
TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
Takashi Yamazaki’s New Godzilla Film Title Announcement: Coverage Request
Ever since its first appearance in 1954, Godzilla has continued to captivate and shock not only Japan but the world. Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, Godzilla Minus One – the 30th live-action Godzilla film produced in Japan – became a smash hit, grossing over 7.65 billion yen and commemorating Godzilla’s 70th anniversary. Moreover, it went on to achieve the historic milestone of becoming the first Asian film to win an Academy Award® for Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards, along with over 50 top international and domestic film awards, and created a true Godzilla sensation all over the world.
Takashi Yamazaki –
World-Renowned Director of First Asian Film to Win an Academy Award® for Best Visual Effects –
Takes On New Godzilla Project
Title Finally Revealed!
At Godzilla Fest 2025, held on Godzilla Day, Monday, November 3rd, at Tokyo’s Kanadevia Hall, the title of the upcoming, long-awaited Godzilla film – which Takashi Yamazaki will write, direct, and provide VX for – has finally been revealed!
The title: Godzilla Minus Zero
TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
At the same time, the title logo for the latest Godzilla film, etched in bold brush strokes, was also revealed. As with Godzilla Minus One, which created a Godzilla sensation worldwide, this logo was drawn by the director, Takashi Yamazaki, himself. Other than the title, no information about the release date, story, or anything else has been revealed, leaving Godzilla Minus Zero shrouded in mystery. What does Minus Zero mean? Stay tuned for further updates.
STAFF
【Director・Screenwriter・VFX： Takashi Yamazaki】
Born in 1964 in Matsumoto, Nagano, Takashi Yamazaki was deeply inspired as a child by Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and decided to pursue a career in special effects. After graduating from Asagaya College of Art and Design in 1986, Yamazaki officially joined Shirogumi Inc., where he handled SFX and digital compositing for titles that include Juzo Itami’s The Last Dance (1993) and A Quiet Life (1995). In 2000, he made his directorial debut with Juvenile. Through his full use of computer-generated imagery to achieve sophisticated visual expression, Yamazaki became recognized as one of Japan’s leading VFX pioneers. His film, Always: Sunset on Third Street (2005), garnered acclaim for its VFX recreation of Showa-era townscapes, imbued with heartwarming humanity and vitality, and won 12 awards at the 29th Japan Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. His other films, The Eternal Zero (2013) and Stand By Me Doraemon (2014), each won Best Picture and 8 other awards at the 38th Japan Academy Awards, including Animation of the Year.
Takashi Yamazaki also directed, wrote, and handled VFX for Godzilla Minus One (2023), which became the first Japanese film to win the Academy Award® for Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards, and firmly established him as one of Japan’s most exemplary filmmakers.
References
●Godzilla Filmography
| Title |
Release Date
|
Director | SFX Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Godzilla |
1954/11/3
|
Ishiro Honda | Eiji Tsuburaya |
| 2 | Godzilla Raids Again |
1955/4/24
|
Motoyoshi Oda | Eiji Tsuburaya |
| 3 | King Kong vs. Godzilla |
1962/8/11
|
Ishiro Honda | Eiji Tsuburaya |
| 4 | Mothra vs. Godzilla |
1964/4/29
|
Ishiro Honda | Eiji Tsuburaya |
| 5 | Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster |
1964/12/20
|
Ishiro Honda | Eiji Tsuburaya |
| 6 | Invasion of Astro-Monster |
1965/12/19
|
Ishiro Honda | Eiji Tsuburaya |
| 7 | Ebirah, Horror of the Deep |
1966/12/17
|
Jun Fukuda | Eiji Tsuburaya |
| 8 | Son of Godzilla |
1967/12/16
|
Jun Fukuda | Sadamasa Arikawa |
| 9 | Destroy All Monsters |
1968/8/1
|
Ishiro Honda | Sadamasa Arikawa |
| 10 | All Monsters Attack |
1969/12/20
|
Ishiro Honda | TOHO SFX Dept. |
| 11 | Godzilla vs. Hedorah |
1971/7/24
|
Yoshimitsu Banno | Teruyoshi Nakano |
| 12 | Godzilla vs. Gigan |
1972/3/12
|
Jun Fukuda | Teruyoshi Nakano |
| 13 | Godzilla vs. Megalon |
1973/3/17
|
Jun Fukuda | Teruyoshi Nakano |
| 14 | Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla |
1974/3/21
|
Jun Fukuda | Teruyoshi Nakano |
| 15 | Terror of Mechagodzilla |
1975/3/15
|
Ishiro Honda | Teruyoshi Nakano |
| 16 | The Return of Godzilla |
1984/12/15
|
Koji Hashimoto | Teruyoshi Nakano |
| 17 | Godzilla vs. Biollante |
1989/12/16
|
Kazuki Omori | Koichi Kawakita |
| 18 | Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah |
1991/12/14
|
Kazuki Omori | Koichi Kawakita |
| 19 | Godzilla vs. Mothra |
1992/12/12
|
Takao Okawara | Koichi Kawakita |
| 20 | Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II |
1993/12/11
|
Takao Okawara | Koichi Kawakita |
| 21 | Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla |
1994/12/10
|
Kensho Yamashita | Koichi Kawakita |
| 22 | Godzilla vs. Destoroyah |
1995/12/9
|
Takao Okawara | Koichi Kawakita |
| 23 | Godzilla 2000: Millennium |
1999/12/11
|
Takao Okawara | Kenji Suzuki |
| 24 | Godzilla vs. Megaguirus |
2000/12/16
|
Masaaki Tezuka | Kenji Suzuki |
| 25 | Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack |
2001/12/15
|
Shusuke Kaneko | Makoto Kamiya |
| 26 | Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla |
2002/12/14
|
Masaaki Tezuka | Yuichi Kikuchi |
| 27 | Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. |
2003/12/13
|
Masaaki Tezuka | Eiichi Asada |
| 28 | Godzilla: Final Wars |
2004/12/11
|
Ryuhei Kitamura | Eiichi Asada |
| 29 | Shin Godzilla |
2016/7/29
|
Hideaki Anno Shinji Higuchi |
Shinji Higuchi |
| 30 | Godzilla Minus One |
2023/11/3
|
Takashi Yamazaki | Takashi Yamazaki |
Film Information
■Title： Godzilla Minus Zero
■Director・Screenwriter・VFX： Takashi Yamazaki
■Producer： TOHO Co., Ltd.
■Production Companies： TOHO Studios / ROBOT Communications
■VFX： Shirogumi Inc.
Takashi Yamazaki Takes on Godzilla Once More. Stay tuned！
TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
February 12th, 2025 update
While details about the upcoming Godzilla movie remain limited, Takashi Yamazaki shared some insights into the film’s production at the Visual Effects Society Awards on February 11th, 2025. Accepting the Visionary Award, Yamazaki revealed that the project is currently in the screenplay and storyboard phases. He also mentioned that the new Godzilla film will likely have a bigger budget than Godzilla Minus One (2023), though he didn’t specify a figure.
While there, Yamazaki also made some comments related to AI. He stated: “It’s a very capable assistant or tool, as it stands right now, but it is not at the point where it can kind of take center stage and generate what humans can. Right now, it’s not in any of our pipelines because of that reason, but the speed at which AI evolves is just so immense that where it goes from here remains to be seen.” While the comment was more general, it could be applied to the upcoming Godzilla film as well based on the fact that project is in his current pipeline.
November 1st, 2024 update
Just days before Godzilla Fest 2024, Toho has announced that production on the latest Japanese Godzilla film has been greenlit. Takashi Yamazaki will return to handle writing, directing, and the special effects as he did with Godzilla Minus One (2023).
