With the recent premiere of Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, fans are eagerly anticipating the streaming release of another major Godzilla film from the past year - Godzilla Minus One. Directed and written by Takashi Yamazaki, the movie made its theatrical debut on December 1, 2023, grossing an impressive $112 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film in the U.S.
Not only did Godzilla Minus One achieve commercial success, but it also received critical acclaim, winning the 2024 Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. This marked a significant milestone for the Godzilla franchise, as it was the first time a film from the series had been nominated for an Oscar in its seven-decade history.
Despite the usual trend of films being available on digital and streaming platforms shortly after their theatrical run, Godzilla Minus One has yet to make its way to these mediums in the U.S. As of April 2024, fans are still waiting for news on when they can watch the film from the comfort of their homes.
The delay in the streaming release of Godzilla Minus One can be attributed to a contractual agreement between Toho, the Japanese studio behind Godzilla, and Legendary Entertainment, the company that licensed the monster character for films distributed by Warner Bros. This agreement reportedly stipulates that Toho cannot release its Godzilla films in the same year as a Legendary production, such as Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Following its premiere in Japan in November 2023 and subsequent U.S. release in December, Toho requested the removal of Godzilla Minus One from theaters on February 1, 2024. This decision was likely made to prevent any overlap with the release of Godzilla x Kong in March 2024.
For fans eagerly awaiting the home release of Godzilla Minus One, there is hope on the horizon. While the film is set to be released on home video in Japan on May 1, 2024, the timeline for its international availability remains uncertain. Based on the release pattern of Toho's previous Godzilla film, Shin Godzilla, fans may have to wait until early September for a potential Blu-ray release.
As the anticipation builds for the streaming release of Godzilla Minus One in North America, fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates on when they can finally experience the epic film from the comfort of their own homes.
Watch the trailer for Godzilla Minus One below.
