One of Godzilla’s Best Movies’ Theatrical Return Just Beat Its Original Opening Weekend

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Godzilla’s thunderous roar echoes once more at the box office as it makes a comeback with its recent re-release. The Godzilla film series has been a timeless pop culture symbol, captivating audiences since the towering monster first appeared on our screens in 1954. With modern entries revitalizing interest in the franchise, it’s experiencing a surge of mainstream appreciation not felt in years. Recognizing this resurgence, GKIDS – an American film and TV distributor – chose to reintroduce one of the series’ most beloved movies. On August 14th, GKIDS brought Shin Godzilla back to North American theaters.

Shin Godzilla, creatively conceived by Hideaki Anno, a key figure behind Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Shinji Higuchi, debuted in Japanese cinemas in July 2016. Initially, Funimation provided the film with a restricted screening in North America, earning a total gross of $1.9 million throughout its run. Later, GKIDS re-released the film to publicize the upcoming 4K upgrade of the movie for home media. Within just four days after GKIDS’ re-release, Shin Godzilla garnered an impressive $1.6 million, as reported by Deadline, which subsequently increased to $2.4 million by the end of the fourth day. The film ended up ranking 11th in the North American box office during that weekend.

Why Did Shin Godzilla Do Better in Its Re-Release?

Although the recent North American rerelease of Shin Godzilla earned more than it did during its initial 2016 release, it’s important to account for inflation when making comparisons. Nearly a decade has passed since Shin Godzilla was first shown in American cinemas, and the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar has likely increased significantly since then. Considering this, the adjusted inflation-adjusted income for Shin Godzilla’s 2016 release would be approximately $2.5 million – which is roughly equivalent to its rerelease earnings. However, it’s worth noting that despite this, Shin Godzilla managed to surpass its initial North American opening in just four days during the rerelease, demonstrating strong interest and support from audiences.

The resurgence of box office success for Shin Godzilla suggests the substantial growth of the Godzilla franchise in North America. Originally released in 2016, this was the first Godzilla movie in almost a decade. The film aimed to rekindle interest in the legendary monster among contemporary audiences. Although it resonated more deeply with Japanese viewers due to its storyline and references to the 2011 Fukushima disaster, Shin Godzilla still struck a chord with global Godzilla enthusiasts. Despite plans for a sequel being put on hold (and now revived by Toho), the film paved the way for Godzilla Minus One.

The film titled “Minus One,” notably featuring Godzilla minus one character, gained immense global popularity, receiving widespread acclaim from both audiences and filmmakers. “Minus One” eventually became the highest-grossing Godzilla film worldwide, earning an Academy Award for Best CGI. Interestingly, “Minus One” didn’t resonate as much in Japan as Shin Godzilla did. Despite this, the popularity of Minus One likely boosted the box office earnings for the re-release of Shin Godzilla. It’s suggested that Minus One’s acclaim enticed many new fans into the franchise, offering them another chance to enjoy one of the more popular Godzilla films in the franchise with the re-release of Shin Godzilla. As part of a recent deal, Shin Godzilla will premiere its 4K streaming on HBO Max through GKIDS’ streaming services.

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2025-08-19 02:23