The highly anticipated next film in the Godzilla franchise has been officially titled. On November 6, 2023, Toho Studios, based in Tokyo, announced that the follow-up to the successful 2023 film, Godzilla Minus One, will be called Godzilla Minus Zero, also stylized as Godzilla -0.0. The Oscar-winning director and visual effects supervisor Takashi Yamazaki will return to direct the new installment.
The title was revealed during the “Godzilla Day 2025” event in Tokyo, where attendees were treated to a teaser logo and first-look artwork. Both design elements featured stark black-and-white brush strokes, echoing the minimalist aesthetic of the previous film’s marketing. Yamazaki co-created the emblem, which suggests continuity in creative vision while hinting at a potentially darker and more expansive narrative within the monster’s mythos.
Godzilla Minus One achieved remarkable success, with a production budget of approximately $15 million. It grossed over $113 million worldwide, making it the first film in the franchise’s 70-year history to win an Academy Award, specifically for best visual effects. This accomplishment came despite competition from larger Hollywood productions with significantly higher budgets. Furthermore, the film became the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film at the North American box office.
As the new film gears up for production, it is being positioned not merely as a sequel but as a significant statement piece. Insiders indicate that Godzilla Minus Zero is slated for a global release in late 2026, with filming set to begin later this year in locations including New Zealand and Norway. Specific details regarding the cast and storyline remain undisclosed.
Following the success of Godzilla Minus One, Toho Studios is expected to elevate both the scale and ambition of Godzilla Minus Zero. The franchise has seen a resurgence in popularity, establishing itself firmly in the realm of blockbuster prestige for audiences, particularly in Western markets. This upcoming film will mark the 31st Japanese feature in the iconic kaiju series, not accounting for U.S. co-productions with Legendary Entertainment.
As anticipation builds for Godzilla Minus Zero, fans and newcomers alike can expect an exciting continuation of the legendary monster’s saga, further solidifying Godzilla’s status as a cultural icon in cinema.
