Godzilla Minus Zero becomes first film in franchise to get 'R' rating: Who can watch it?

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given an R rating to the upcoming movie Godzilla Minus Zero, the sequel to the Oscar-winning international hit Godzilla Minus One. This is the first time that a film in the decades-old franchise has scored an R rating. Godzilla Minus Zero has received the rating over "some violent content/bloody images", according to the MPA.

What does this mean?

An R rating stands for 'Restricted' under the MPA film classification system. According to the association, such movies contain adult material, and parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking young children along. Children aged under 17 years are allowed to watch only if accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.


Other movie ratings in the MPA system are G (General Audiences), PG (Parental Guidance Suggested), PG-13 (Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13), and NC-17 (No one 17 and under admitted). Godzilla films have previously been rated G, PG, and PG-13, but had never crossed into the R classification before.

What to expect from the film?

Godzilla Minus One, which came out in 2023, is set in a devastated post-World World 2 era Japan as the island country is hit by a fresh wave of destruction unleashed by Godzilla. The sequel takes place two years later in 1949 as Godzilla returns, this time larger and even more ferocious.

The new film also marks the first-ever Japanese production filmed for IMAX screens. Both the films have been directed by the Japanese filmmaker and visual effects maestro Takashi Yamazaki.

Godzilla Minus One made several records

Godzilla Minus One, which was made in a budget of $15 million, had grossed $116 million globally, becoming the highest-grossing live-action film to debut in Japan in 2023. It also became the third highest-grossing non-English language film in the US market.

Godzilla Minus One had created history by winning Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards, becoming the first non-English language film in the history of the Oscars to do so. It was also the first Godzilla movie to be nominated for an Oscar as well as the first Japanese film ever to be nominated in the Best Visual Effects category.

Release date

Godzilla Minus Zero is set to premiere in Japan on November 3, 2026, followed by its United States release on November 6.