Godzilla Minus Zero Sets $31.6M Record for Foreign-Language Films in North America
"Godzilla Minus Zero" opened with a record-setting $31.6 million at the North American box office, the biggest debut ever for a live-action foreign-language film. The Japanese sequel easily defeated Warner Bros.' animated "The Cat in the Hat," which earned $20.5 million. Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the Toho production set in post-WWII Japan surpassed the previous live-action record held by 2004's "Hero" and follows the Oscar-winning "Godzilla Minus One." The film also grossed $17 million in Japan and received strong reviews, with a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score. The weekend also saw the widest North American release for an Indian film, with "Ramayana: Rise of a Legend" earning $8.7 million domestically. Overall ticket sales rose 96.8% from the previous weekend, boosted by strong openings for "Drummer Boy" and Oscar contender "Wild Horse Nine."