Godzilla Minus Zero claimed the top spot at the North American box office on Friday, earning $14.5 million from 3,254 theaters. The film, which serves as the sequel to the 2023 production Godzilla Minus One, is projected to reach $32 million by Sunday. Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the story is set two years after the previous film and depicts Godzilla resurfacing to fight a new monster in postwar Japan.
Variety’s Owen Gleiberman reported that the film has received positive word-of-mouth and reviews, stating the movie is “destined to connect with a huge international audience.” Gleiberman further noted, “It’s already clear that this won’t be the last of Yamazaki’s kaiju epics,” adding that the film demonstrates how "what seemed old can become timeless" when done correctly. The film is produced by Toho and distributed in the U.S. by GKids.
Warner Bros. Animation’s The Cat in the Hat took second place on Friday, grossing $6 million from 4,003 theaters. The film is expected to earn $18.7 million by Sunday, which falls slightly below early projections of $20 to $25 million. Directed by Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja, this version features Bill Hader as the voice of the titular character and follows the antics of a mischievous cat visiting two siblings in a new town. This is the second adaptation of the book, following the 2003 live-action film starring Mike Myers which earned $38 million.
Angel Studios’ Drummer Boy finished in third place, earning $3.39 million from 2,850 theaters. The Christian musical, directed by brothers Ben and Joel David Smallbone and starring Joel and Luke Smallbone of For King + Country, is aiming for $7.9 million by Sunday. The film follows a drummer boy, an enslaved woman, and a divided family seeking freedom during the American fight for independence. Variety described the film as a “confident, mostly pleasing throwback to original screen musicals of yore.”
A24’s You Can See Everything finished in fourth place with $2.55 million from 2,473 theaters on its fourth Friday. Rival estimates suggest it will earn $8 million by Sunday. The documentary about Elizabeth Holmes has earned a cumulative $73.49 million in North America since its October 16 opening.
Searchlight’s Wild Horse Nine took fifth place, earning $2.47 million from 1,100 locations according to rival estimates. The Martin McDonagh-directed comedy, starring John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, is expected to reach $5.5 million by Sunday. The plot follows two CIA officers sent to Easter Island before a Chilean military coup.
The Indian epic Ramayana: Rise of a Legend rounded out the top results, earning $2.4 million from 1,433 locations on Friday with a projected $7.3 million by Sunday.
