Sakurai and Kojima Urge Fans to See 'Godzilla Minus Zero' in IMAX

Some movies are made to be felt in your chest, and giant monsters sit at the top of that list. The latest ‘Godzilla‘ film is built for exactly that kind of experience, and two of gaming’s biggest creators have now weighed in. Their IMAX recommendation for ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ is hard to ignore.

The sequel to 2023’s ‘Godzilla Minus One’ is the first Japanese production filmed for IMAX, shot with IMAX-certified digital cameras and optimized for the format’s sound and imagery. IMAX has confirmed that 75 minutes of the film’s 135-minute runtime will use its expanded aspect ratio, which fills the screen from floor to ceiling. It opens in Japan on November 3, with IMAX Early Access screenings in North America that day ahead of a wide release through GKIDS on November 6.

That context makes the reactions from two famous fans even more telling. After seeing the film ahead of its Japanese release, Hideo Kojima and Masahiro Sakurai both urged audiences to catch it in a theater. Sakurai, the creator of ‘Super Smash Bros.’, wrote in his own post that “Kaiju films should be experienced on the big screen.”

Kojima, the mind behind ‘Metal Gear’ and ‘Death Stranding’, attended the Japan premiere at TOHO Cinemas Hibiya. He said he had been waiting three years for the film and described himself as both a huge Godzilla fan and a fan of actress Minami Hamabe. His reaction covered scenes that matched his expectations and surprises that went beyond anything he’d imagined.

Some moments brought him to tears, while others finally delivered scenes he’d long wanted to see. He saved his most colorful praise for the climax, joking that he could practically feel dorsal fins sprouting from his back. He also plans to return for several more IMAX screenings after release.

Sakurai took a more restrained approach. He thanked the organizers for the invitation, praised his seat and viewing environment, and mentioned that he also attended the stage greeting. He avoided discussing the story, focusing on how audiences should watch it.

He also wondered how many more kaiju films of this caliber he would get to see, before repeating his recommendation to watch in a cinema. Neither creator revealed spoilers, which only adds to the mystery around the film.

The pressure is high. ‘Godzilla Minus One’ won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards, making it the first Godzilla film, and the first non-English language film, to take home the award. It grossed more than $116 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, becoming the highest-grossing Japan-produced Godzilla film.

The new film picks up in 1949, two years after the events of the first, and continues the Shikishima family’s story as they face an all-new calamity. Ryunosuke Kamiki returns as Koichi Shikishima alongside Hamabe as Noriko Oishi, with Takashi Yamazaki back as writer, director and visual effects lead. New cast members include Masami Nagasawa and Jun Kunimura.

The new trailer for ‘GODZILLA MINUS ZERO’ has been released. In theaters on November 6. https://t.co/sgaEXweerd
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 8, 2026

Early reviews suggest the IMAX push is justified. Critics have praised the spectacle, with one outlet saying the film is designed to be experienced on the largest possible canvas and lives up to the IMAX hype. JoBlo gave it a perfect 10 out of 10, calling it a jaw-dropping sequel worthy of ‘Minus One’.

Not everyone is fully on board. SlashFilm described it as bigger and badder but not quite better than before, while Dread Central gave it 3 out of 5 and called it a disappointing step down from its predecessor, citing sluggish pacing and heavy-handed sentimentality. Even so, the same Dread Central review said the IMAX rollout would be worth it just to hear and feel monster motion in thundering sound.

The release has a few historical firsts attached. It premiered at the 64th New York Film Festival on September 26 as the Spotlight Gala selection. It also earned an R rating from the MPA for some violent content and bloody images, the first time a Godzilla movie has received one.

Japan’s November 3 release date also carries meaning, as it marks the anniversary of the original ‘Godzilla’ film’s debut in 1954. This is the first time a Japan-produced Godzilla movie will open in Japan and North America in the same week.

With two of gaming’s most influential voices lining up behind the big-screen experience, fans have more reason than ever to book a seat. Whether you’re a longtime kaiju devotee or a newcomer, the message is simple: bigger is better.