Director Takashi Yamazaki unveiled the first trailer and details about Godzilla Minus Zero during the GKIDS presentation at CinemaCon on Tuesday. The movie – the first-ever Japanese production to be filmed for IMAX – is a direct sequel to its Oscar-winning predecessor, Godzilla Minus One. (The new trailer will be released online later today.)
The official plot synopsis reveals that “Godzilla Minus Zero picks up in 1949, two years after the tumultuous events of Godzilla Minus One, and continues the story of the Shikishima family as they face an all-new calamity.”
Two of the 2023 film’s stars are back for the sequel. Ryunosuke Kamiki will reprise his role as pilot Koichi Shikishima, and Minami Hamabe once again plays Noriko Oishi.
The CinemaCon footage began with a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Godzilla Minus Zero before seguing to a color footage teaser trailer featuring Kochi back in the pilot’s seat flying through debris, shots of a city in ruins, Noriko (her eye still covered by a bandage following the events of the first film) comforting her adopted daughter Akiko, Godzilla emerging out of the ocean to attack a plane, and then, finally, a shot of the Statue of Liberty with Godzilla approaching it from behind. Yes, Godzilla Minus Zero will bring the king of the monsters to New York!
“I am beyond happy to be able to participate in a film set two years after Godzilla Minus One, which is one of the most important works of my life. I also feel proud to have been able to work with Director Takashi Yamazaki and everyone on the team once again,” Ryunosuke Kamiki said in a statement.
“The pressure of participating in a Godzilla work loved by so many people remains the same as in the previous film, but I have done my absolute best so that everyone who watches it, and everyone who loves Godzilla, can enjoy it.”
A Visual History of Godzilla
Minami Hamabe added, “Following the previous film, I am grateful to be able to exist in the world of Godzilla Minus One as Noriko. My heart is already racing with excitement to share this grand moment with everyone as soon as possible and see Godzilla Minus Zero in theaters soon. Since this work will be released in Japan and the U.S. around the same time, I am very happy to be able to share Godzilla’s shocking return not only with people in Japan but also with those in America. I pray that this work will also be one that everyone can enjoy and love very much.”
The critically-acclaimed Godzilla Minus One earned more than $116 million at the worldwide box office and won Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards, the first Japanese film to receive that honor.
TOHO will release Godzilla Minus Zero theatrically in Japan on November 3rd – better known as Japan’s Godzilla Day 2026 – with GKIDS giving the film a wide theatrical release across North America starting November 6, 2026.
For more kaiju coverage, find out why Godzilla is the most versatile character in film history and read our rave Godzilla Minus One review, which critic Katie Rife hailed as “a film designed to make audiences stand up and cheer.”
