The iconic creature returns to the big screen as ‘Shin Godzilla’ makes waves in both Tokyo Bay and U.S. cinemas, captivating audiences once again.
‘Shin Godzilla’ Returns to Tokyo Bay and U.S. Cinemas
Shin Godzilla, the 4K rerelease from GKids, opened to a remarkable $1.6 million over the weekend across 1,290 screens. The film has accumulated a total of $2.5 million since its return, showcasing Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi’s interpretation of the King of the Monsters. Originally released in Japan in 2016, it was the highest-grossing Japanese-produced Godzilla film until the release of Godzilla Minus One in 2023.
Plot Overview
As the Prime Minister of Japan urges the public to stay calm, a monstrous creature of immense size emerges from the depths, wreaking havoc in the city and leaving a trail of destruction. In response, the government assembles a diverse task force to confront the beast, while an envoy from the U.S. Department of State presents a folder of classified documents, prominently marked with the word GODZILLA. This narrative intertwines thrilling action with sharp political satire.
Box Office Performance
The original Shin Godzilla earned $4.4 million domestically and $80.5 million globally. In comparison, Godzilla Minus One achieved impressive figures of $57 million domestically and $114 million worldwide.
Additional Releases
This week also saw the emergence of two Indian films in the specialty box office. Magnolia Pictures’ music documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley continued its run, grossing an estimated $240k in its second week across 190 screens, bringing its total to $927k. The documentary, directed by Amy Berg, features interviews with key figures from Buckley’s life, including his mother and former partners. Buckley’s iconic cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah remains a streaming sensation, averaging 115,000 streams per day.
Meanwhile, Prathyangira Cinemas’ Tamil revenge thriller Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring Aamir Khan, debuted with $2.4 million at 800 theaters, totaling $6.3 million through Sunday. Following closely is Yash Raj Films’ War 2, which earned $1.7 million on 943 screens for a cumulative total of $3.1 million.
Indie and Limited Releases
In moderate indie openings, Sony Pictures Classics’ docu-fiction East Of Wall debuted at $372k on 626 screens, receiving a Certified Fresh rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film follows Tabatha, a young horse trainer navigating grief and financial struggles while helping troubled teens on her ranch.
See More ...
Atlas Distribution’s supernatural horror film Witchboard opened at $68k across 580 screens, with a total of $142k. The film, which premiered at the Fantasia Festival 2024, stars Madison Iseman and Aaron Dominguez as they discover a dangerous antique pendulum board.
Greenwich Entertainment released Went Up the Hill to $20k at 132 locations, while Usman Riaz’s animated feature The Glassworker opened to $12.2k at the Angelika in NYC, receiving rave reviews and sold-out filmmaker Q&As. The film is set to expand to LA next weekend.
Abramorama’s Checkpoint Zoo debuted to $5.3k at an exclusive run at the Quad in NYC, documenting a heroic rescue of animals trapped in a zoo during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
