A Japanese monster movie is ruling American theaters this weekend. Godzilla Minus Zero is headed for an estimated $31 million opening in the U.S. and Canada, according to industry estimates reported Saturday by TheWrap, easily beating Warner Bros.’ animated The Cat in the Hat.
As we reported Saturday, the sequel won Friday’s box office. Saturday’s estimates confirm a much bigger story: the film is on pace for the best opening ever in North America for a foreign-language live-action film.
The weekend top five (estimates)
- 1. Godzilla Minus Zero (Toho/GKIDS): about $31 million from 3,254 locations.
- 2. The Cat in the Hat (Warner Bros.): tracking toward about $18 million from 4,003 locations.
- 3 (tie). You Can See Everything (A24): about $8 million in its fourth weekend, for a domestic total near $78.9 million.
- 3 (tie). Ramayana: Rise of a Legend (Sony): about $8 million, with an $11.5 million four-day opening.
- 5. Drummer Boy (Angel): about $7.9 million from 2,850 locations.
Final numbers will be reported Monday, and estimates can shift once Sunday ticket sales are counted.
A record for a foreign-language film
Godzilla Minus Zero, directed by Takashi Yamazaki, is the follow-up to 2023’s Godzilla Minus One. Its estimated opening is nearly triple the $11.4 million that Minus One opened to, TheWrap reported, and makes it only the fourth non-English film ever to top the U.S. box office.
Main Street Mouse reported the film earned about $13.5 million Friday, including $6.7 million from Thursday previews, and that a $30 million-plus weekend would beat the previous foreign-language live-action opening record held by Hero (2002), which opened to $17.8 million. It would also be the biggest opening ever for its distributor, GKIDS.
Audiences are happy, too. The film earned an “A” CinemaScore, with Rotten Tomatoes scores of 90% from critics and 96% from audiences, according to TheWrap.
A softer start for the Cat
The Cat in the Hat, an animated Dr. Seuss adaptation with Bill Hader voicing the Cat, also earned an “A” CinemaScore from audiences, but its opening is coming in below early tracking that had pointed past $30 million. The film cost about $86 million to make, Main Street Mouse reported, citing Deadline. For comparison, the 2003 live-action version opened to $38.3 million.
Family films often build slowly with good word of mouth, and the Thanksgiving holiday ahead could help. Meanwhile, faith-and-family audiences turned out for Angel Studios’ Drummer Boy, which opened in the top five with an “A” CinemaScore and a 93% audience score, despite mixed reviews from critics.
A note for parents
- Godzilla Minus Zero is rated R, the first R rating in the Godzilla franchise’s history. The Motion Picture Association cited “some violent content/bloody images,” Dread Central reported. Director Takashi Yamazaki has said cutting those scenes was not an option. This one is for adults and older teens, not young kids.
- The Cat in the Hat is rated PG and is the weekend’s clear pick for younger children. Our parents’ guide to The Cat in the Hat has more.
What to watch next
Studios will report final weekend numbers Monday, and the next big test is the run-up to Thanksgiving, traditionally one of the busiest moviegoing stretches of the year. Upstormed News will follow how both films hold up.
Did your family see a movie this weekend? Tell us what you watched in the comments.
Read more: “A Proud Family Wizmas” trailer: stop-motion special hits Disney+ Nov. 14
Sources: TheWrap, “‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ Kicks Off November Box Office With $31 Million Opening” (Nov. 7, 2026); Main Street Mouse, “Godzilla Minus Zero Stomps The Cat in the Hat and Is Heading for a Record Opening Weekend” (Nov. 7, 2026); Dread Central, “‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ Director Explains Historic R Rating” (Nov. 2026).
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