Source: GKIDS
Official Site: https://gkids.com/films/shin-godzilla/
Photo courtesy of GKIDS. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
Academy Award-winning producer and distributor GKIDS has announced today that it has acquired all North American distribution rights to SHIN GODZILLA (シン・ゴジラ, Shin Gojira). The 2016 feature is directed by Hideaki Anno (NEON GENESIS EVANGELION Franchise, LOVE & POP) and Shinji Higuchi (BULLET TRAIN EXPLOSION, SHIN ULTRAMAN) with screenplay by Anno and visual effects by Higuchi. GKIDS will release the feature in North American theaters nationwide on August 14th, with a home entertainment release to follow. GKIDS will release the film in its original Japanese language with subtitles, including restored text cards and a 4K remaster that has never before been released in North America.
SHIN GODZILLA’s release marks GKIDS’ first release of a Godzilla property since the company’s 2024 acquisition by storied Japanese film studio Toho. SHIN GODZILLA also joins GKIDS’ expanding lineup of classic Japanese live-action features, following the company’s first-ever nationwide release of Hideaki Anno’s LOVE & POP.
First released domestically in Japan in 2016, SHIN GODZILLA is the 29th film in Toho’s storied Godzilla franchise, 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’ history, until it was recently surpassed by 2023’s Oscar-winning GODZILLA MINUS ONE. SHIN GODZILLA went on to receive eleven Japan Academy Prize nominations, and take home seven wins, including Picture and Director of the year.
“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,” said GKIDS’ President David Jesteadt. “We are honored to play a part in bringing the film back for American fans, better than ever.”
“SHIN GODZILLA marked the first Japanese-produced Godzilla film since the release of GODZILLA FINAL WARS in 2004,” says Toho’s Chief Godzilla Officer, Keiji Ota. “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!"
Synopsis
Something has surfaced in Tokyo Bay. As the Prime Minister of Japan pleads with the public to remain calm, 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.”
From visionary directors Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, Shin Godzilla offers a thrilling origin story to one of cinema’s greatest creations. Propelled by astounding visual effects and rapid fire dialogue, Shin Godzilla is equal parts pulse-pounding action film and venomous political satire, worthy of the franchise’s towering history.
Director: Hideaki Anno
Co-Director: Shinji Higuchi
Written by: Hideaki Anno
Music: Shiro SAGISU
Produced by: Minami Ichikawa, Akihiro Yamauchi, Yoshihiro Sato, Masaya Shibusawa, Kazutoshi Wadakura
Starring: Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, Satomi Ishihara
Cinematography: Kosuke Yamada
Edited by: Atsuki Sato, Hideaki Anno
Production Companies: Toho Pictures, Inc., Cine Bazar Inc.
About GKIDS
GKIDS is the Academy Award-winning producer and distributor of artist-driven and award-winning animation from around the world. After an astounding 13 Best Animated Feature nominations, the company took home the Oscar in 2024 for Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s acclaimed feature, THE BOY AND THE HERON. The company’s previous nominations include THE SECRET OF KELLS in 2010, A CAT IN PARIS and CHICO & RITA in 2012, ERNEST & CELESTINE in 2014, THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA and SONG OF THE SEA in 2015, BOY AND THE WORLD and WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE in 2016, MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI in 2017, THE BREADWINNER in 2018, MIRAI in 2019, WOLFWALKERS in 2021, and THE BOY AND THE HERON in 2024.
For more than a decade, GKIDS’ influence on cinema has redefined the perception of animation as an artistic medium on par with live-action film through its stewardship of the Studio Ghibli catalog and by introducing American audiences to the critically-acclaimed films of other master filmmakers from around the world such as Makoto Shinkai (WEATHERING WITH YOU), Mamoru Hosoda (BELLE), Masaaki Yuasa (INU-OH), Tomm Moore (WOLFWALKERS), Hideaki Anno (NEON GENESIS EVANGELION), Nora Twomey (THE BREADWINNER), Satoshi Kon (PERFECT BLUE) and Hiroyuki Imaishi (Promare), among countless others. GKIDS is also the founder and host of ANIMATION IS FILM, the annual LA-based film festival which embraces the highest aspirations of animation as a cinematic art form, and is a vocal advocate for filmmakers who push the boundaries of the medium to its fullest range of artistic expressions.
About TOHO
TOHO Co., Ltd. is a leading Japanese entertainment company founded in 1932. Its four main business pillars are the cinema business, which includes production, distribution and exhibition; the theatrical business, which includes production and exhibition; the anime business, which has been expanding globally in recent years; and the real estate business, which focuses on development in urban areas. TOHO’s worldwide acclaimed works include theatrical films such as the “Godzilla” series and “Seven Samurai” directed by Akira Kurosawa, and TV anime series such as “My Hero Academia” and “Jujutsu Kaisen”. These anime series are produced and distributed through the TOHO animation label, and are delivered to a wide range of audiences around the world.