Godzilla Minus Zero Stomps to Biggest Global Opening for a Japanese Film in IMAX History with $21 Million

IMAX captured 34% of Godzilla Minus Zero’s global opening on less than 1% of total screens.

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11/09/2026 - 08:30 AM EST

IMAX Delivers Massive 34% of Global Total on First-Ever Japanese Filmed For IMAX Release

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) today announced a monstrous opening for Toho Co., Ltd.’s Godzilla Minus Zero with $21.3 million worldwide — the biggest IMAX global opening ever for a Japanese film. The first Japanese Filmed For IMAX release ever among the more than 80 Japanese films IMAX has presented, IMAX screens delivered a whopping 34% of the global opening of Godzilla Minus Zero on less than 1% of total screens.

Godzilla Minus Zero opened exclusively in IMAX locations worldwide on November 3 — the internationally recognized Godzilla Day — before expanding into wide release. The film generated $12.7 million across IMAX screens in North America, representing 40% of the film’s domestic box office — the biggest opening weekend domestic market share in IMAX history.

Internationally, Godzilla Minus Zero opened across another 64 markets, delivering $8.6 million. Notching a historic milestone in the continued momentum of IMAX in Japan, Godzilla Minus Zero delivered the biggest IMAX opening weekend of all time in Japan with $4 million.

“With Godzilla Minus Zero, Takashi Yamazaki and our friends at Toho have delivered a tremendous feat of filmmaking with arresting visuals that somehow top its predecessor; we are proud to call this the first Filmed For IMAX release from Japan and delighted fans are overwhelmingly choosing to experience it in on our screens,” said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. “Japan continues to be among the biggest success stories across our global footprint, and we know this historic success will only create further opportunities for filmmaker partnership and network growth in this thriving market for cinema.”

Filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki shot Godzilla Minus Zero with IMAX-certified digital cameras, and more than half of the film is presented in IMAX-exclusive expanded aspect ratio. The filmmakers partnered closely with IMAX throughout the production process, including visiting IMAX headquarters before and after production, to optimize the film for the IMAX Experience.

The record builds on sustained momentum for IMAX in Japan. Following its biggest year ever at the Japanese box office in 2025, IMAX has released 14 Japanese titles to date this year, with a strong slate ahead in 2027. The Company continues to expand its presence in the market, adding six new locations and signing agreements for 12 new and upgraded systems since the start of 2026.

The weekend was further bolstered by the record-breaking debut of Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, which delivered the biggest global IMAX opening ever for an Indian release with $6 million worldwide — 11% of the film’s worldwide debut. Around the world, Godzilla Minus Zero and Ramayana delivered the latest examples of the outsized market share commanded by IMAX screens following the record run of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.

Godzilla Minus Zero will continue to play across the IMAX global network this week, ahead of Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping and Netflix’s The Further Misadventures of Cliff Booth later this month. The year culminates with the much-anticipated global release of Warner Bros./Legendary’s Dune: Part Three, which was shot entirely using IMAX-certified digital cameras and IMAX Film Cameras.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX (NYSE: IMAX) is a global leader in entertainment technology, delivering immersive cinematic experiences through proprietary software, architecture, and projection systems. Filmmakers, studios, and artists worldwide use IMAX to connect with audiences at scale, making its network one of the most powerful platforms for blockbuster events and entertainment.

Headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, IMAX operates 1,887 systems across 91 countries and territories as of September 30, 2026. IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trades on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code “1970.” IMAX and related marks are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. For more information, visit www.imax.com.