Could Godzilla Minus One actually be the first Godzilla film to ever win an Oscar?

Godzilla Minus One isn't just your everyday monster flick; it's a cinematic kaiju juggernaut that's stomped its way into the hearts of audiences worldwide, leaving a trail of $57 million in its wake and collecting more nominations than your average Hollywood A-lister. But what are it's chances at the Oscars this season?

What

Directed, written, and featuring visual effects by Takashi Yamazaki, the latest adaptation of the iconic giant has emerged as a cinematic powerhouse, grossing over $57 million globally and garnering significant recognition in the form of nineteen award nominations. The 2023 Japanese epic kaiju film, produced by Toho Studios and Robot Communications, has made a substantial impact on the cinematic landscape, firmly establishing itself as a dominant force.

The film, the 37th installment in the Godzilla franchise and the fifth in the Reiwa era, explores postwar Japan grappling with the re-emergence of Godzilla. Drawing inspiration from the original 1954 Godzilla film and other cinematic classics such as Jaws and works by Hayao Miyazaki, Yamazaki carefully crafted the script over three years, infusing the narrative with depth and social commentary.

Big numbers

Godzilla Minus One premiered at the Shinjuku Toho Building on October 18, 2023, and closed the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival on November 1.

• Its theatrical release in Japan on November 3, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the franchise, resulted in an impressive debut at the Japanese box office, grossing ¥1.04 billion ($7.8 million) in its first three days.
• The film's success continued, with a cumulative gross of ¥4.15 billion as of December 10, 2023, marking its dominance in the Japanese market.
• The film's impact extended beyond Japan, especially in the United States and Canada, where it broke records for the opening weekend for a live-action Japanese film, grossing $11 million.
• The film has grossed $58 million worldwide against a budget under $15 million
• In North America, it became the most successful live-action Japanese movie in the US, surpassing expectations and solidifying its international appeal.

ALSO READ: Oppenheimer prepares for Japan release while Godzilla Minus One takes over US theatres

Critical acclaim

Critics weren't immune to the monster's charm either. Yamazaki's wizardry with a shoestring budget, the emotional rollercoaster of human drama, and the kaiju metaphor for social commentary left reviewers reaching for superlatives.

ALSO READ: Godzilla Day: What lessons does the nuclear monster impart amidst global conflict?

Notable figures in the film industry, including Hideaki Anno, Gareth Edwards, Michael Dougherty, Hideo Kojima, and Eiichiro Oda, have showered praise on Godzilla Minus One for its technical prowess, emotional depth, and its place among the best Godzilla movies of all time.

ALSO READ: One Piece’s Eiichiro Oda took time out of his hectic schedule to go watch Godzilla Minus One 

Awards circuit

Not content with just box office domination, Godzilla Minus One is making its mark in the award circuit.

Nominated 19 times at nine different award bodies including,

• Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
• Florida Film Critics Circle Awards
• Hochi Film Awards
• Indiana Film Journalists Association Awards
• Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards
• Nikkan Sports Film Awards
• Phoenix Critics Awards
• St Louis Film Critics Association Awards
• Critics Choice Awards

the film has secured 4 wins thus far, including Best Visual Effects at the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards, Best Picture at the Hochi Film Awards, and Best Horror/Sci-Fi Movie and Best International Movie at the Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards.

The film is now also a finalist for the Best Visual Effects category at the Oscars, beating the likes of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in the process.

ALSO READ: Godzilla Minus One is Japan's response to Oppenheimer

Shot at the Oscars?

Given its indomitable theatrical run in the United States and different parts of the world, as well as universal critical acclaim, the micro-budget blockbuster might just have a shot at the 96th Academy Awards as a dark horse, underdog contender; given the competition it faces comes from the likes of worn-out Marvel flicks that have suffered a severe loss of interest this year.

A nod, and perhaps an eventual win would look fantastic on the Oscar’s track record and would go down in history as one of the finest wins in the category. It would also make it the first Japanese film to ever win in the category as well as the first Godzilla film to ever win an Oscar

The only real threat that the film may face is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Netflix’s Society of the Snow - both similar contenders that stand just as much of a chance to be nominated and even go on to claim the prize.

ALSO READ: How Daniel Pemberton and Metro Boomin swung the Spider-Verse to symphonic success

As the kaiju-sized hype continues to build, here’s hoping that Gojira makes a much deserved appearance at the Oscars this season.