This week marked the 72nd anniversary of Godzilla, the legendary monster that first appeared in 1954. Dubbed "Godzilla Day," this year's celebration is particularly significant as it aligns with a new streaming record for the franchise. According to data from JustWatch, which tracks user activity across various platforms, the 2023 Japanese film Godzilla Minus One has become the most popular streaming movie globally.
The surge in viewership comes as fans flock to watch the predecessor while its sequel, Godzilla Minus Zero, is currently playing in theaters. Godzilla Minus One is available for streaming on Netflix and represents a historic achievement for Toho, the production company behind the original 1954 film. It stands as the 37th entry in the franchise and marks the first Japanese live-action Godzilla movie since Shin Godzilla in 2016, following a period where Toho was unable to produce such films due to an agreement with Legendary Entertainment.
Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the film is set in postwar Japan and follows Kōichi Shikishima, a kamikaze pilot suffering from PTSD who must confront Godzilla alongside his crew and military experts. The creature in the film has been mutated and empowered by U.S. nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll. The movie features an ensemble cast including Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, and Kuranosuke Sasaki.
Upon its initial release, Godzilla Minus One achieved massive success, grossing over $116 million to become the most successful Japanese Godzilla film ever. Produced on a modest budget of $10 million, it received universal acclaim for its visual effects and action sequences. The film holds a 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes, garnered praise from directors such as James Cameron and Steven Spielberg, and won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
The franchise continues with the 2026 sequel, Godzilla Minus Zero, which reunites much of the original cast. Set three years after the events of the first film, the story follows Japan's efforts to rebuild from World War II and the emergence of a new threat alongside Godzilla. This latest installment is set to make history as the first Japanese production filmed for IMAX. Since its premiere this week, the sequel has received strong reviews, debuting with a 91% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, which currently stands at 89%, with many praising its visuals and narrative.
Sources: Comic Book Resources.