The King of the Monsters is returning to the silver screen later this year. Director Takashi Yamazaki, who helmed 2023’s Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One, is returning to the franchise for an official follow-up. Get ready for Godzilla Minus Zero. While much remains mysterious about one of the year’s most hotly-anticipated sequels, we do know a fair amount about Toho’s plans for the movie. We’re going to break down what we know thus far.
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In light of the fact that Godzilla Minus One was a gigantic hit at the box office globally in addition to being one of the most acclaimed entries in the franchise’s history, which extends more than 70 years, it was pretty much never in doubt that a sequel would happen. Toho initially confirmed that thought in November 2024. Initially, the company merely said that they had given the green light to a new Godzilla movie, with Yamazaki returning to write and direct.
One of the most impressive things about Minus One is that Yamazaki made it on a budget of $15 million or less, which is downright remarkable. In February of last year, the filmmaker confirmed that he’d be working with a larger budget this time around. While the precise budget has yet to be revealed, this is a man who has demonstrated he can do a lot with a little. More resources in his hands can only be promising.
In April 2025, a report surfaced that Toho was looking to further capitalize on the recent explosion in popularity related to Godzilla. As part of that, it was confirmed that Yamazaki’s movie would be a direct sequel to Minus One. There was no more grey and no concern that the studio might be moving in a different creative direction. After all, the franchise has been nothing if not fast and loose with continuity over the years. Shin Godzilla was a hit but never got a sequel. It wasn’t a guarantee but, fear not, this is very much a sequel taking place in that same universe.
Godzilla Minus Zero title reveal
We went several months after that with little to no new information. Then, on November 3 of last year, which just so happens to be Godzilla Day, Toho revealed that the title of the movie would be Godzilla Minus Zero. They released the above video offering up a title and log treatment. That title remains somewhat mysterious as it doesn’t clarify what “minus zero” means as it relates to the movie itself. Is it implying that things are going to get even worse for Japan than they were when Godzilla showed up last time? That remains to be seen.
More recently, Toho confirmed what had previously been rumored; Minus Zero will hit theaters this fall. It will first debut in Japan on November 3, followed by a North American release on November 6, largely mirroring the release strategy the company took with Minus One. To coincide with the release announcement, a new poster for the movie was also released.
The poster itself, at first glance, appears innocuous. However, the internet has been obsessed with looking for clues on the poster that might hint at appearances by other monsters. It very much looks like Godzilla is hiding in those clouds. Everyone from King Ghidorah to Hedorah have been supposedly spotted if one looks hard enough, but nothing has been confirmed. It’s perhaps worth noting that Yamazaki said he’d like to remake Godzilla vs. Hedorah at one point. But again, no other monsters have been confirmed as of this writing.
It will be a busy time for Godzilla fans, just as it was in 2023 and 2024. Just a handful of months later, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova will hit theaters in March 2027. Similarly, Godzilla x Kong: Three New Empire hit theaters in March 2024, just four months after Minus One initially debuted. Toho is showing no signs of slowing down. The King of the Monsters is gettin’ while the gettin’ is good.
Godzilla Minus Zero hits theaters on November 6.
