Godzilla Minus One- Plot, trailer, connection to Monsterverse, box office collection, and when to expect India release

Godzilla Minus One emerges from Japan after seven years, since the memorable Shin Godzilla in 2016. Written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki and produced by the legendary Toho Studios, the film will be the 37th installment of the renowned franchise. The final trailer for Godzilla Minus One was released on December 1, 2023.

The plot of Godzilla Minus One traces the story of an ex-kamikaze pilot Koichi Shikishima, who returns home from an ill-fated mission sabotaged by the mighty Godzilla, to find his parents dead and his home destroyed in the Bombing of Tokyo. Unable to bear the guilt of his inability to prevent countless deaths caused by Godzilla, as well as the life of penury and illness, Koichi’s existence finds meaning and stability when a young Noriko, armed with an adopted, orphan baby seeks shelter. Just as life was resembling a hint of normalcy, Godzilla comes back to wreck mayhem.

Now Godzilla Minus One’s raging kaiju is different from the Legendary Monsterverse one. This is the original interpretation of Godzilla, that has been appearing in new films and spinoffs since its origin, 70 years ago, with Toho Studios. It is neither a sequel nor a prequel to any of the five American Godzilla films. Instead, the story of Godzilla Minus One is based even earlier than the original 1954 film’s timeline, beginning in 1945, at the tail end of World War II. 

Also read: Godzilla Minus One X Review – Netizens hail the new Godzilla movie as the best movie of 2023! 

While the American view of Godzilla entertains an anti-heroic angle, with the ‘titan’ often aiding humanity in the face of new monstrous threats, like the Mechagodzilla. But the original, or Japanese interpretation of the kaiju has always been a primordial, eldritch terror-worthy one, being a creature of massive proportion, brute strength, extra powers, and a blazing temper.

Godzilla Minus One has broken multiple box office records this year. Made on an estimated budget of $15 million, the film has already raked in $35 million worldwide. At the domestic box office, the film clocked in third place, right after Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce and The Hunger Games prequel. The opening weekend of Godzilla Minus One in the United States also saw great success, by grossing over $11 million and winning the tag of second highest debut of any live action foreign language film.

Godzilla Minus One released in Japan on November 3, 2023, while its official trailer had been dropped on September 3, 2023. The film premiered in the US on December 1, 2023. However, there is no update yet about its theatrical release in India, or on OTT platforms.