Godzilla Minus One is officially streaming worldwide on Netflix as of today, everywhere except Japan and France, according to film distributor Toho International. You can also buy ($14.99) or rent ($5.99) digital copies, either in color (Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play) or black-and-white (Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play).
Stream it now
Written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, Godzilla Minus One goes back to the giant radioactive kaiju’s origins. The film is set just at the end of World War II after the US nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It follows a kamikaze pilot named Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki), who after deciding to land on Odo Island rather than sacrifice himself for the war becomes one of the only survivors of a Godzilla attack on the island.
Film details
Critics received the movie well when it hit theaters in December. The Verge’s own Charles Pulliam-Moore called it a spectacular disaster movie
that feels more than the sum of its parts.
Award-winning visual effects
Godzilla Minus One also picked up several awards, including an Academy Award for visual effects back in March. The latest addition to the canon, announced in 2022, sees Takashi Yamazaki pulling triple duty with writing, directing, and VFX.
Critics’ perspective
Charles Pulliam-Moore’s review highlighted that Godzilla Minus One from Takashi Yamazaki… critics seem to think this offering ranks among the best Godzilla movies.
Thematic depth
Behind its monstrous facade lies a deeper narrative. Hidden behind a movie about a kaiju wreaking havoc on post-World War II Japan, “Godzilla: Minus One” ultimately symbolizes the greater struggle everyone faces as they persevere through life’s hardships. As presented through the protagonist Kōichi Shikishima, portrayed by Ryunosuke Kamiki, the film explores themes of survival and emotional recovery in a world devastated by war.
A must-watch experience
This movie is easily a must-watch not only for monster movie fans but also viewers interested in the aftermath of World War II and how people handle being emotionally knocked down.
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