‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ Reviews Highlight Bigger, Louder, and Nearly as Devastating Sequel
The sequel ‘Godzilla Minus Zero‘ faces immense expectations, especially after its predecessor won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects and became a worldwide sensation. The initial reviews for ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ are in, and critics are expressing their excitement.
The film premiered at the 2026 New York Film Festival on September 26. Following a weekend filled with positive social media reactions, the review embargo was lifted, revealing an overwhelmingly favorable response, though it stops just short of matching the original’s near-perfect acclaim.
As of Monday, September 28, the film boasted a 96% rating on the Tomatometer from 23 reviews. Critics have described it as a devastating, groundbreaking, and emotional epic, though it may not quite reach the miraculous heights of its predecessor. The score has fluctuated slightly with additional reviews, with some outlets reporting ratings of 94% and 95%.
In comparison, ‘Godzilla Minus One’ holds a remarkable 99% from 213 reviews. If ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ maintains its score, it would rank as the second most critically acclaimed Godzilla film on Rotten Tomatoes, following ‘Minus One’ and surpassing the original from 1954. So far, only one outright negative review has emerged, from Nick Schager of The Daily Beast.
Variety praised it as an even grander sequel. The Guardian awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, calling it spectacular and commending its effects and social commentary. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film is bigger and more surprising, with visual effects that surpass even the Oscar-winning work of the first film.
The Weekend Warrior went so far as to claim it surpasses ‘Minus One’ in every aspect. Fernando likened the film to ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ of the series, suggesting that if ‘Minus One’ was ‘A New Hope,’ this sequel takes it to the next level. This bold comparison reflects the strong reactions from some viewers.
However, not all reviews are overwhelmingly positive. RogerEbert.com rated it 3 out of 4 stars, indicating it doesn’t quite reach the miraculous heights of its predecessor but still has plenty to offer. Slashfilm’s 7.5 out of 10 review praised its ambition and scale but noted that the sequel sacrifices some of the intimacy that made the first film resonate.
Awards Radar rated it 3.5 out of 5, describing it as larger in nearly every aspect but not always surpassing the emotional impact of the first film. The Wrap called it a great Godzilla sequel, potentially one of the best, but not among the greatest Godzilla films. IndieWire remarked that it feels like the middle chapter of a trilogy.
Set two years after the events of ‘Godzilla Minus One,’ in 1949, the film follows Kōichi Shikishima, portrayed by Ryunosuke Kamiki, and Noriko, played by Minami Hamabe, who are now married and raising Akiko, the orphaned baby girl from the first film. Japan is still recovering from the war and Godzilla’s previous attacks when a new threat emerges.
The latest trailer confirmed the return of King Ghidorah. The official synopsis states that war reduced Japan to zero, and Godzilla plunged it into minus, with no third chance this time. Takashi Yamazaki returns to write, direct, and supervise the visual effects.
The film is set to open in Japan on Tuesday, November 3, coinciding with Godzilla Day. GKIDS will release it across North America starting Friday, November 6, marking a rare near-simultaneous rollout for a Japan-produced Godzilla movie.
Additionally, it is the first Japanese production filmed entirely for IMAX. Rated R, the film runs approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, making it a must-see on the biggest screens.
The new trailer for ‘GODZILLA MINUS ZERO’ has been released.
In theaters on November 6. pic.twitter.com/sgaEXweerd
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 8, 2026
‘Godzilla Minus One’ became the highest-grossing Japan-produced Godzilla film, earning over $116 million worldwide, and it was the first Asian film to win the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. A strong reception for the sequel could solidify the franchise’s new peak. With Yamazaki at the helm, expectations are soaring.
If the reviews are any indication, audiences can anticipate another emotional monster epic. While it may not surpass the original for everyone, it seems poised to deliver on spectacle.
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