Entertainment · Film · 2 hrs ago
Toho’s U.S. Release of ‘Godzilla Minus One’ Changed Its Global Approach
Toho CEO Matsuoka Hiro said the studio took a chance on a U.S. release of Godzilla Minus One after speaking with exhibitors during a visit to the United States.
They told him Hollywood studios were not making enough films to meet audience demand and suggested anime could appeal to U.S. viewers.
Toho had previously struggled to distribute films outside Japan, so colleagues were concerned about releasing the Godzilla film there itself.
The film grossed $57.1 million in North America, and Matsuoka said the revenue went back to Toho.
He said the success was not part of a strategy, but showed the studio the value of trying new approaches as it grows internationally.
Toho’s next Godzilla film, Godzilla Minus Zero, opens in North America on November 6, distributed by its label GKIDS.
It is also scheduled to open in Japan on November 3.
Toho CEO Matsuoka Hiro said the company’s successful U.S. release of Godzilla Minus One was an experiment, not a planned strategy.
The film earned $57.1 million in North America, according to Variety.
Matsuoka said conversations with U.S. exhibitors led him to recognize demand for Japanese anime and consider releasing Toho’s Godzilla franchise in the market.
He said Toho colleagues had concerns because the company had struggled to distribute films successfully outside Japan.
Toho’s follow-up, Godzilla Minus Zero, is scheduled to open in Japan on Nov. 3 and North America on Nov. 6.
- Who
- Toho CEO Matsuoka Hiro discussed the release. He spoke alongside Academy CEO Bill Kramer.
- What
- Toho’s U.S. release of Godzilla Minus One was described as an experiment rather than a strategy.
- When
- Matsuoka spoke on Oct. 29, 2026, at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
- Where
- At the Tokyo International Film Festival in Tokyo.
- Why
- Conversations with U.S. exhibitors suggested studios were not making enough films to meet audience demand, and Matsuoka recognized anime’s popularity in the U.S.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Godzilla Minus One opened in the U.S.
Matsuoka described the release as an experiment during a Tokyo Film Festival discussion.
Godzilla Minus Zero is scheduled to open in Japan.
Godzilla Minus Zero is scheduled to open in North America through Gkids.
- North American gross
- $57.1 million
- U.S. opening weekend
- More than $11.4 million
- Godzilla Minus One U.S. opening
- December 2023
- Godzilla Minus Zero Japan opening
- Nov. 3
- Godzilla Minus Zero North American distributor
- Gkids
2 sources
What people are saying
It wasn’t a strategy; we just tried.
When I became president of Toho, I went to the U.S. and the people from the box office union said the studios weren’t making enough films
They said to me, ‘Why don’t you think of making some anime,’ and that’s when I realized anime was popular in the US.
brought the profit to us.