Sequel to One of the Best Godzilla Movies Sets Its Release Date

I’m a sucker for giant monsters, but I never had a favorite Godzilla movie. I had seen plenty over the years, both as a child and adult, and yet, something about the giant lizard and its pals never connected with me, no matter how many aliens it battled. It’s not that I haven’t enjoyed myself, but there was never a film in that franchise (no matter what iteration) that grabbed me and made me go, “I can’t wait to share this with my kids someday,” save for the original. Then, Godzilla Minus One came along.

Godzilla Minus One hit the states in 2023, which was just a banner year for me. The Texas Rangers won the World Series, my kids were getting bigger but still tiny lil sweet guys, and I was going to the movies a lot. A lot of factors made it easier at the time, and this was after a period of time when I thought I may never step foot in a theater again. All that to say, if I saw a movie that wasn’t The Exorcist: Believer, I had a good time. But at Godzilla Minus One, I had an incredible time.

That movie has everything. There’s thrilling action, emotional stakes, some unfortunately animated soldiers on a boat (nobody’s perfect), and it’s easily the first Godzilla film to make me cry. There are elements of Jaws and other Godzilla movies baked in. It’s just fantastic. I was singing its praises and ready to watch whatever feature film its writer and director, Takashi Yamazaki, decided to make next. Turns out, he isn’t straying too far from the big green monster.

Yamazaki will be making another Godzilla movie titled Godzilla Minus Zero, which will serve as a sequel to Minus One. Like its predecessor, which takes place right after World War II, this new film will also be a period piece. I remember hearing that a sequel was announced, and it just wound up somewhere in the back of my mind behind all the creeping dread and despair. Remembering that the film was coming would have been good enough to make my day, but to make it better, we’ve learned today that the movie will hit theaters later this year.

Godzilla Minus Zero has set a November 3, 2026, release date in Japan and will arrive here in the US just three days later. Right in time for Oscar season! Details are currently under wraps, but I’ll lap up whatever gets dished out. The first film felt so personal but still maintained a big, blockbuster feel. Even if Yamazaki doesn’t end up hitting the same heights, it’s worth the very minimal risk.