‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ Is Climbing Toward Rotten Tomatoes History
When ‘Godzilla Minus One‘ arrived in 2023, few could have predicted it would become a worldwide sensation. Takashi Yamazaki’s film earned a near-perfect 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and became the first ‘Godzilla’ movie to win an Academy Award, taking home Best Visual Effects. That set an almost impossible bar for ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’, the follow-up fans have been eagerly awaiting.
Yamazaki once again wrote and directed the sequel, which picks up 2 years after the events of the first installment. As postwar Japan works through a grueling recovery to restore daily life, a new and escalated threat shatters the fragile peace, pushing the surviving characters into a final fight for survival.
The film’s critical reception has only grown stronger since its debut. ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ now sits at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes from 31 reviews, as highlighted by DiscussingFilm, putting it on track to become one of the highest-rated sequels ever.
That number has been steadily climbing. Following its world premiere at the New York Film Festival on September 26, the movie opened at 93% from 14 reviews, and then rose to 96% across 23 reviews. Its reported average rating also stood at 8.4 out of 10, just behind its predecessor’s 8.5.
Many reviewers believe the sequel matches or even surpasses the original. DiscussingFilm’s Andrew J. Salazar called it “bold, audacious, and angry in ways Hollywood blockbusters are never allowed to be,” in his review for the outlet, adding that Yamazaki crafted a rare sequel that delivers a different kind of thrill.
‘GODZILLA MINUS ZERO’ has now risen to 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. On track to become one of the highest-rated sequels of all time. Read our review: https://t.co/hNkhKvTkKW https://t.co/i23VKdHPry
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 2, 2026
Others went even further. The Weekend Warrior’s Edward Douglas argued that Yamazaki delivered another stunner that’s better than ‘Minus One’ in every way, while The Guardian’s Jesse Hassenger was impressed with the visual effects and appreciated that the director didn’t overdo them.
Not every critic is fully sold, though. At least one reviewer suggested that great expectations led to a considerable letdown, a reminder that following ‘Minus One’ was never going to be easy.
The sequel is breaking new ground in several ways. It’s the first film in the franchise to receive an R rating, and the first Japanese production filmed for IMAX. While ‘Minus One’ was rated PG-13, Yamazaki has explained that the more mature rating was essential to the film.
The new trailer for ‘GODZILLA MINUS ZERO’ has been released.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 8, 2026
In theaters on November 6. pic.twitter.com/sgaEXweerd
Rotten Tomatoes lists the rating as R for bloody images and some violent content. Critics have also noted the film’s sobering themes, with one review describing it as a stark reminder of the horrors of Hiroshima.
The cast reunites familiar faces, with Ryûnosuke Kamiki returning as Kōichi Shikishima and Minami Hamabe as Noriko Ōishi. The film runs 2 hours and 15 minutes, about 11 minutes longer than its predecessor. Audiences won’t have to wait much longer. ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ opens in Japan on November 3, followed by a North American release in theaters and IMAX on November 6.
With its score still rising and critics calling it one of the best ‘Godzilla’ movies ever made, expectations are sky-high. If the momentum holds, Yamazaki may have pulled off the rare feat of following a masterpiece with another one.
Do you think Godzilla Minus Zero can surpass Godzilla Minus One?
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