Godzilla Minus One Sets One More Record

 Godzilla Minus One was one of 2023’s most unexpected breakout hits. Given the Toho-backed monster movie wasn’t even expected to head to a home release, its record-setting current dominance of the No. 1 spot on both Netflix and iTunes is yet another feather in its scaly cap. Brandon Blake, entertainment attorney los Angeles at Blake & Wang P.A. has the good news to share.

 


Brandon Blake

A New Record

This marks the first time that a film streaming on Netflix and available as an iTunes VOD release has taken the first position on both charts. That this record would go to an unexpected, unannounced release is even more exceptional. The film took $56M in North America in its theatrical release cycle.

 

It likely could have done more, too. Thanks to the complexities of its agreement with Legendary Entertainment, Godzilla Minus One had all theatrical dates pulled after February 2024 due to the March release of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, to avoid in-franchise competition. Hence the reasons for an almost six-month window between theatrical release and home availability, too. What is quite unusual is that it is now competing with Godzilla x Kong on VOD, although that title has not yet moved over to streaming on Max and is still in theaters.

Unexpected Netflix Involvement

The news that Netflix had acquired the title for multiple markets, including the US, was another surprise. It was more-or-less announced by a tweet on X pulled from Netflix’s official page. Intriguingly, it wasn’t covered on the new titles list Netflix shares at the start of the month, either.

 

It’s also pretty interesting that the film went directly into the $5.99 “bargain bin” on iTunes when new releases would typically have a higher-priced early rental period. This may be to offset the ubiquity of Netflix subscriptions, where the film is free for subscribers.

Despite these unusual circumstances, the film has certainly been a strong VOD performer so far, and we expect it to retain a competitive chart position for several weeks to come.

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