Godzilla Minus One

Godzilla Minus One (2023)★ 7.7/10

PG-13 · JP · 124 min · November 1, 2023

  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Drama
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi

Directed by: Takashi Yamazaki

Written by: Takashi Yamazaki, Ishirô Honda, Takeo Murata

In a postwar Japan struggling to rebuild, the emergence of Godzilla threatens to undo all progress. A group of determined individuals, including scientists and military personnel, must unite to confront this colossal menace and prevent the nation from descending into chaos once more.

Articles about this

See all (46) ›

Cast & crew

See all ›

Awards · 2 wins, 3 nominations

See all ›

Reviews

AAlecia_HuntAugust 9, 2024
This was an audiovisual treat! I didn't think the Japanese film industry could pull off special effects like that. The scenes of Godzilla tearing up Tokyo and that epic naval battle at the end were just insane. They looked so real and huge, which was just mind-blowing. But honestly, the plot dragged on a bit too long for me. I ended up skipping through some parts. Still, those special effects were so amazing that I'm giving them top marks.
AAlvin_PattersonAugust 9, 2024
Even though this work feels a little formulaic, it's actually really engaging. What really stood out to me was the way they rethink about war. People really care more about whether you did something than if it actually made a difference. And the ending, where the female lead survives, is pretty heartwarming. I also loved seeing that Shinden fighter jet, which totally reminded me of "The Sky Crawlers." And the part where the demining team was expecting some cool upgrades, but it was just wooden boats, was hilarious and really stuck with me.
TthinkmillerMarch 28, 2024
Godzilla Minus One might be the best Godzilla movie I've seen. It surpasses any other Godzilla film I've watched in terms of anti-war sentiment, reconstruction, survival instinct, memories, guilt, fate, and emotions. The male lead's performance is particularly immersive, and the ending with a reunion is heartwarming. It raises questions about the value of human life (it shouldn't be dirt cheap) and the nature of obsession. This world needs more movies like this.
NNicoleJenaMarch 22, 2024
This film strikes a remarkable balance between commercial appeal and artistic depth within the Godzilla series. Set during Japan's post-war reconstruction period, it presents a revised history where civilians engage in battles against monsters, transforming Godzilla's relationship with atomic bombs from a metaphor into an explicitly stated theme.
SSuperMovieDecember 20, 2023
Contains spoilers
I never thought I'd see a sci-fi movie set in the past (post-World War II) in 2023. The attention to detail in the setting and makeup really brings that era to life. The main character is a deserter dealing with survivor's guilt, while a group of ex-soldiers form a team to take on Godzilla, with the faith to come back alive. Sacrificing oneself for the country isn't glorified, and Godzilla becomes a symbol of post-war reflection. The idea of starting a family with the female protagonist without marriage is pretty innovative, to say the least. The climax comes as a little predictable, but watching it still feels exciting and satisfying. The visual effects overall look quite realistic and convincing.
SSuperDCM+December 20, 2023
I remember the birth of the concept of Godzilla being a reflection of war and the use of nuclear weapons. I like the settings in this movie. The scene where Godzilla hurls the building away is so memorable, especially when you can almost see Godzilla's eyes and some subtle facial expressions. However, the plot is just average. There wasn't much buildup leading to Godzilla's first couple of appearances. The ending was kinda laughable as well. Overall, it's a bit draggy, and the big scenes aren't crafted well enough, likely due to budget constraints. Ando Sakura truly stands out amongst the cast ensemble. I do still recommend catching this movie in the theater.
FFastAndActionDecember 20, 2023
The lead actor's performance is terrible and awkward. The other main character in this film, Godzilla, is anything but. Any scene with Godzilla is guaranteed the highlight of the movie. It's clear that they put a lot of effort into creating the special effects; the replication of the waves and the other water effects are particularly well done. I have a feeling they might have been done with practical effects. The team put all their resources into making the three major sequences featuring Godzilla, so these parts are fantastic.
TTimeless Tales BWDecember 5, 2023
As a commercial film, I think it is pretty decent overall. The lavish visual effects are a testament to the technological prowess of today's film industry. Anyways, I'd call this film a war film and not a monster film, because the existence of Godzilla in this film simply serves as an excuse for the actual intended story to progress. It doesn't offer anything new, just like most of the Japanese films on World War II, sticking to the cliché of focusing on individual trauma from a perspective of victims.
Tthbzcrt_7December 5, 2023
Loved it a lot! It's my favorite Godzilla movie so far. Set in a post-war world, it tells a story of despair, courage, and tears. I was really moved when watching the latter part of the movie. The audio-visual language is fantastic, with the visuals and sound design being absolutely impactful. However, the happy ending seemed a bit unnecessary.
HHorror ManiaFebruary 8, 2026
Tal vez la mejor de Godzilla, lo cuál es decir mucho. Increíble
JJoel Cano December 16, 2025
Una película llena de humanidad que nos trae de nuevo a un Godzilla destructivo y malvado (por decir de alguna manera). Sin duda un giro fresco para el personaje muy alejado del "Monsterverse". Es una de las mejores películas de Godzilla.
LLucasGonzalezzDecember 14, 2024
El regreso del rey Godzilla retornando a sus orígenes como criatura primordial en una Japón devastada por la guerra, una historia cargada de momentos épicos y emotivos. Los efectos visuales están muy bien logrados que acompañan el terror y la devastación. Definitivamente el auge del género Kaiju.

In these picks