Godzilla Minus Zero Roars to $31.6 Million Record Debut as Cat in the Hat Opens to $20 Million
Updated
Updated · Variety · Nov 8
Godzilla Minus Zero Roars to $31.6 Million Record Debut as Cat in the Hat Opens to $20 Million
3 articles · Updated · Variety · Nov 8
Summary
$31.6 million from 3,254 theaters put “Godzilla Minus Zero” atop the North American box office, setting a new opening record for a live-action foreign-language film and crushing “Hero’s” $17.8 million mark.
Premium screens powered the breakout: Imax alone delivered $12.7 million, or 40% of domestic sales, while all premium large formats accounted for 74% as strong reviews and an A CinemaScore fueled demand.
$20 million from 4,003 locations left Warner Bros.’ “The Cat in the Hat” in a soft second-place debut, despite no major family competition; the $92 million film added just $10 million overseas for a $30.5 million global start.
$114 million in total weekend ticket sales marked an 86% jump from the same frame last year, lifting 2026 domestic box office revenue to $8.6 billion, up 20% from 2025 ahead of the holiday release slate.
Could the unprecedented success of Godzilla Minus Zero signal a massive shift where American audiences prefer foreign blockbusters over domestic franchises?
How did a subtitled Japanese monster movie manage to crush Hollywood expectations and shatter a two-decade-old box office record?