All hail the King of the Monsters! ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ stomps to US$31.6m box-office debut in North America

Japan's Godzilla Minus Zero claimed the top spot in the North American box office over the weekend, taking in an impressive US$31.6 million in its opening weekend. Set in 1949, the film follows postwar Japan's efforts to rebuild as a new threat emerges in the form of a giant three-headed dragon-like monster known as King Ghidorah.

Despite being believed defeated in the 2023 Godzilla Minus One, Godzilla, now radioactively regenerated, teams up with humans to take on the monstrous adversary. Industry analyst David A. Gross noted that this weekend's opening marks a significant milestone, nearly triple the previous opening recorded in December 2023.

The Cat in the Hat, a Dr. Seuss classic, secured the second place with an estimated US$20.5 million in sales during its opening weekend. Distributed by Warner Bros., this adaptation of the beloved children's book is likely to benefit from streaming platforms or television rights to make up for its lack of performance outside the United States.

Rounding out the top three was Angel Studio's Drummer Boy, a unique blend of historical drama and musical about an American soldier and his brother during the Revolutionary War. The film brought in US$9.3 million at the box office, more than double what would be expected for a similar film on its opening weekend.