As Godzilla Minus One—io9’s top movie of 2023—continues to chart incredible success at the box office, it’s about to present audiences with a whole new way to see the film. Tickets are now on sale for Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color, a gorgeously stark, newly remastered black and white version of the hit film.
Minus Color opened in Japan last week, and Toho International is bringing it to U.S. theaters for one week only starting January 26. No matter where you are (Japan or the U.S.), you’ll need to get to the theater by February 1 to see this special release.
In a press release, Godzilla Minus One director, writer, and VFX supervisor Takashi Yamakazi—who also has our favorite red-carpet style of the current awards season—explained why a U.S. release of Minus Color was in order.
“I was very happy that the North American audience embraced Godzilla Minus One and gave us positive feedback such as ‘it was incredible! ,’ ‘it was scary!,’ and ‘it made me cry!’ And now I am very pleased to be able to release a black-and-white version for North America as well,” he said. “Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color will bring a new and visceral experience to audiences and I hope they will tremble with a new kind of terror!”
The OG Godzilla Minus One has already racked up over $50 million at the U.S. box office—it’s the highest-grossing Japanese film (that includes both animated and live-action) ever released stateside, and is currently the U.S.’s fifth highest-grossing non-English language film of all time—and it’s closing in on $100 million globally. It’s also on the Academy Awards shortlist for Best Visual Effects. But before you assume Minus Color merely a ploy to pile up more ticket sales, or an extra effort to secure an Oscar nomination, let Yamakazi explain the thinking behind giving the film the black-and-white treatment.
“Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color is not just a simple black and white version. Our colorist took the time and care to go through a very meticulous and complex process,” he said. “The black-and-white images make Godzilla look very realistic and documentary-like, which leads to even more fear. Even though we have seen Godzilla Minus One many times, we felt that something completely different appeared here—and it’s very scary! So this is not only for those who liked Godzilla Minus One but also those who are seeing it for the first time—they should definitely see this black-and-white version. Especially the scene at the beginning where Godzilla appears in the night—it is so terrifying that it made my knees shake!”
Here’s a new trailer to commemorate the release, followed by a couple of stunning new posters:
Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color tickets are on sale now; it hits U.S. theaters January 26 for one week only.
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