‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ First Reactions Go Crazy for ‘Epic’ and ‘Jaw-Dropping’ Sequel: ‘Should Be Nominated for Best Picture’
Godzilla is back and better than ever as Takashi Yamazaki‘s “Godzilla Minus Zero” is earning rave first reactions after its New York Film Festival press screening. The director’s sequel to 2023’s blockbuster “Godzilla Minus One” wowed journalists with epic thrills and the first R-rated action set pieces in the long-running kaiju franchise. First reactions out of the festival are calling “Godzilla Minus One” a “jaw-dropping spectacle” and a “glorious continuation of the first film.”
“A truly epic cinematic feat,” writes reporter Jonathan Sim. “It takes the King of the Monsters to a whole new level while still grounding everything in human, emotional stakes. A must-see blockbuster that truly delivers. Unmatched VFX, action, and scale. Rousing, incredible filmmaking.”
“Takashi Yamazaki’s made a worthy successor to ‘Minus One’ with a family-centric story that’s also filled with thrilling action sequences and jaw-dropping monster battles,” adds Marissa Hill. “But it works in the quieter moments too… It’s still astonishing to me that these films, made on a fraction of the budget as current day blockbusters, look this good… the King of Monsters has never looked or sounded this grand.”
Film critic Edward Douglas was “completely blown away” by the sequel, while fellow critic Brandon Lewis called the movie an “overwhelming achievement of kaiju filmmaking. Aside from the jaw-dropping spectacle, Takashi Yamazaki packs in an emotional wallop.”
“Godzilla Minus Zero” is the 38th film in the “Godzilla” franchise and the 34th produced by Toho, the Japanese entertainment company that originally created the franchise. Yamazaki returns to the director’s chair after the immense success of “Godzilla Minus One,” which earned $116 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Japanese “Godzilla” film of all time. “Minus One” also won the Oscar for best visual effects. The sequel stars Kamiki Ryunosuke and Hamabe Minami and marks the first time a Japanese feature has been shot for Imax screens.
Per the official description, “Godzilla Minus Zero” picks up in 1949, “two years after the tumultuous events of ‘Godzilla Minus One,’ and continues the story of the Shikishima family as they face an all-new calamity.” The rampage-causing Godzilla is bigger than ever this time and heads to New York City for a global action epic.
“Godzilla Minus Zero” opens in U.S. theaters Nov. 6, three days after it begins rolling out in Japan. Check out more first reactions in the posts below.
Completely blown away by Takashi Yamazaki's Godzilla Minus Zero which delivered on GM1 in ways I wasn't expection with heightened emotions and vfx… lots of holy shit moments and it even made my cry. Brilliant! #nyff64
— Edward Douglas (@EDouglasWW) September 26, 2026
Godzilla Minus Zero is an overwhelming achievement of kaiju filmmaking. Aside from the jaw-dropping spectacle, Takashi Yamazaki packs in an emotional wallop, as the characters grapple with lingering trauma and their duties to the future. Never thought I’d cry to Godzilla. #NYFF64 pic.twitter.com/YCUnByPj0S
— Brandon Lewis @ NYFF (@blewis1103) September 26, 2026
— Jacob (@JacobFisherDF) September 26, 2026GODZILLA MINUS ZERO takes some of the most bold swings I’ve seen a sequel take – and they all land incredibly well. Such a brilliant deep dive into the facets of trauma & never-ending cycles of war/hatred.
A phenomenal blockbuster with stunning spectacle & a lot to say. pic.twitter.com/P6EUJpMZzl
GODZILLA: MINUS ZERO reduced me to a sobbing mess. It is a glorious continuation of the first film, taking its themes & character arcs to new heights. The spectacle is somehow topped in sheer WTF value, but it’s the beauty of the central found family that truly stands out. pic.twitter.com/XzWH7A2Sr2
— Amy Kim (@AmyHayneKim) September 26, 2026
You can use every adjective imaginable to describe GODZILLA MINUS ZERO. Its sheer scope finds a way to surpass them all. But the biggest surprise? Takashi Yamazaki somehow takes a Godzilla film of this magnitude and turns it into such an emotional family drama that “a Godzilla… pic.twitter.com/GPR4FWysdP
— David Gonzalez (@CinematicReel) September 26, 2026
GODZILLA MINUS ZERO opens with a blast of monster mayhem so good you’d think it impossible to top, but it keeps getting better. Just as elegantly filmed and emotional as Minus One, with even more awe-inspiring action and sociopolitical relevance. Thrilling throughout. #NYFF64 pic.twitter.com/d1aScShydz
— Dancin' Dan @ NYFF46 (@dancindanonfilm) September 26, 2026
#GodzillaMinusZero is the BEST followup G Film to date. Best comparison would be this is the Godfather Part 2 to Godzilla Minus One's Godfather. Toho should win another #Oscar for this film. Should be nominated for best picture. This Kaiju experience needs to be seen in IMAX!
— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) September 26, 2026
— Jonathan Sim @NYFF (@TheJonathanSim) September 26, 2026GODZILLA MINUS ZERO is a truly epic cinematic feat.
It takes the King of the Monsters to a whole new level while still grounding everything in human, emotional stakes.
A must-see blockbuster that truly delivers. Unmatched VFX, action, and scale. Rousing, incredible filmmaking. pic.twitter.com/7S51lK85Vj
— ShadeTV 🎥 Marissa Hill at NYFF (@ShadeTV) September 26, 2026GODZILLA MINUS ZERO absolutely RIPS. Takashi Yamazaki's made a worthy successor to Minus One with a family-centric story that's also filled with thrilling action sequences and jaw-dropping monster battles.
But it works in the quieter moments too. We're empathetic to these… pic.twitter.com/qCkezRbJMG
“Awe-inspiring” isn’t just wonder but fearful respect. That is GODZILLA MINUS ZERO. Another masterpiece from Takashi Yamazaki who builds on his somber vision for kaiju cinema. A true escalation from MINUS ONE where we again confront our fragile existence. That R rating is legit. pic.twitter.com/pm96ZqhZ5g
— Eric Francisco (@EricFrancisco24) September 26, 2026
Godzilla Minus Zero is king! Filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki’s movie joins Terminator 2 and The Dark Knight as one of the greatest sequels ever made, delivering a bigger, bolder, and more beautiful blockbuster that doesn’t sacrifice its human heart. Exploring the fear, hatred, and… pic.twitter.com/CbDSJj3tFc
— Anthony Orlando @NYFF (@landi52orlando) September 26, 2026
— Jacob (@JacobFisherDF) September 26, 2026GODZILLA MINUS ZERO takes some of the most bold swings I’ve seen a sequel take – and they all land incredibly well. Such a brilliant deep dive into the facets of trauma & never-ending cycles of war/hatred.
A phenomenal blockbuster with stunning spectacle & a lot to say. pic.twitter.com/P6EUJpMZzl
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