The original Japanese masterpiece Godzilla hit theaters in 1954. The moody black-and-white production introduced the world to kaiju cinema and launched a beloved franchise. Almost 70 years later, with 32 Japanese sequels under his gargantuan belt, the massive lizard returned for Godzilla Minus One. This movie sets its action slightly before the original movie, firmly in Postwar Japan. The country is at its lowest point, defeated and desolated. When Godzilla comes a trampling, the people will have to band together to save themselves. It’s one of the best movies of the year, and this January, you can see it in throwback monochrome in the United States.
This news is very exciting for Godzilla fans. Godzilla Minus One is perhaps the closest in tone and focus to the original movie, and while its colors are great, the chance to see it in theaters in black-and-white feels like a particular treat.
Initially, the black and white Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color was released exclusively in Japan. That happened on January 12, 2024. However, given the massive North American take on the film, it was only a matter of time until the black-and-white version of Godzilla Minus One arrived in the United States. The movie made $11 million on its opening weekend, making it the biggest opening for a live-action Japanese movie, and the biggest opening for a foreign language movie in 2023. That is, if you pardon the pun, huge. Given next year is the 70th anniversary of the original, we could easily see a Godzilla double feature with the OG and the new one in the near future.
But, for now, Godzilla Minus One in black and white will arrive in US theaters on Friday, January 26. According to Deadline, both the normal version of the movie and Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color will end their theatrical run on February 1.
At least we have this super rad poster for the Japanese release of Godzilla Minus One in black and white to tide us over until we get to see it over here.
Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.
Originally published on December 20, 2023.