Gkids has acquired the North American distribution rights to “Shin Godzilla.”
The film is directed by Hideaki Anno (“Neon Genesis Evangelion” franchise) and Shinji Higuchi (“Shin Ultraman”) with a screenplay by Anno and visual effects by Higuchi. In the film, the Prime Minister of Japan pleads with the public to remain calm, after a horrific creature of tremendous size makes landfall in the city, leaving death and destruction in its wake. Then it evolves. The government assembles a motley task force to combat the monster when an envoy from the US Department of State delivers a folder of classified documents. On its cover is written “Godzilla.”
Gkids will release the 2016 feature in theaters on Aug. 14, with a home release to follow. The film distributor is set to release “Shin Godzilla” in its original Japanese language with subtitles, including restored text cards and a 4K remaster that has never before been released in North America.
Gkids’ President David Jesteadt said, “With an incredibly timely story of people struggling to work together to stop imminent destruction, backed by some of the most explosive action scenes the franchise has ever seen, ‘Shin Godzilla’ is a modern masterpiece. We are honored to play a part in bringing the film back for American fans, better than ever.”
This marks the company’s first release of a Godzilla property since Toho’s acquisition in 2024. “Shin Godzilla” joins Gkids’ expanding lineup of classic Japanese live-action features, following the company’s first-ever nationwide release of Hideaki Anno’s “Love and Pop.”
“Shin Godzilla” is the 29th film in Toho’s storied Godzilla franchise, and the first Godzilla film to be released from Toho since 2004’s “Godzilla Final Wars,” taking a fresh design approach with the iconic monster. The film held a highly successful original box office run, grossing $79 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Japanese-produced Godzilla film in the franchise’s history, until it was recently surpassed by 2023’s “Godzilla Minus One.” “Shin Godzilla” went on to receive 11 Japan Academy Prize nominations, and take home seven wins, including picture and director of the year.
Keiji Ota, Toho’s chief Godzilla officer, said, “’Shin Godzilla’ marked the first Japanese-produced Godzilla film since the release of ‘Godzilla Final Wars’ in 2004. Upon its release, it became a social phenomenon in Japan, playing a pivotal role in reviving the Godzilla franchise after a 12-year hiatus, and we’re thrilled to bring this landmark film back to the big screen in North America. For some, this will be their first time experiencing it — and there’s no better way to feel the overwhelming presence, power, and terror of Godzilla than in a theater. Enjoy the film!”
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