The recent addition to the Kaiju’s decades-long legacy, which dates back to the ’50s, Godzilla Minus One did one aspect right, which most of its American counterparts failed over the years. Taking place in a devastated Japan after the end of World War II, the 37th film from Toho succeeds in making the human story in the film stand out, making the viewers care about them.

And thanks to a compelling narrative accompanied by its visuals and the impeccable design of the Kaiju, the new Toho release is shattering box-office records as we speak.

Also read: Godzilla: Why is The King of Monsters’ Power Pink in Latest Trailer?

Godzilla Minus OneGodzilla Minus One Witnessed the Smallest Second-Week Drop

While 2023 hasn’t been kind to many blockbusters, including Brie Larson‘s The Marvels, which witnessed a 78% drop heading into its second week, this wasn’t the case for the new Toho release. With Minus One being adored by fans and critics, currently sitting at an impressive 97% on the Tomatometer, the Japanese film witnessed a lower box-office drop than its American counterparts.

After making a commanding debut in the US, the Kaiju film hasn’t lost its grip at the box office, only witnessing a 27% drop in its second weekend, racking in $8.3M. The Toho release also became the film with the smallest second-weekend drop in the IP’s history, surpassing Kong: Skull Island‘s 54.4%, but this isn’t the lone landmark the film has reached.

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Kong: Skull Island (20170Fans Celebrate Godzilla Minus One’s Success as It Makes History

The critically acclaimed Godzilla Minus One deservingly became the highest-grossing live-action Japanese release, surpassing 1989’s The Adventures of Milo & Otis’  $14.1M. Despite having a fraction of its American counterpart’s budget, the Toho release has cemented itself as arguably the best film the IP has ever witnessed, with its only real competitor being Toho’s Shin Godzilla. And even though witnessing two Kaijus engaging in a  brawl was enthralling, the human narrative in WB Discovery’s Monsterverse has been mostly a backdrop.

But considering the new Toho film aces in that department while using the Kaiju as a metaphor for Japan’s struggles after the World War,  fans celebrate its deserved box-office domination.

Godzilla Minus One

Although Minus One wasn’t a sequel to the acclaimed 2016 classic from Toho, the film brings back the darker and more serious tone of Shin Godzilla, and fans couldn’t have asked for something better. But apart from the critically acclaimed release, 2024 will witness the Kaiju returning in the sequel to Godzilla vs Kong. And while it most probably won’t be as strong as Minus One narratively, witnessing the Kaijus on the big screen would be enthralling nonetheless.

Godzilla Minus One is currently running in theatres.