A Japanese-language monster sequel is positioned to beat Warner Bros.' new Dr. Seuss adaptation this weekend. Godzilla Minus Zero, released in North America by Gkids, is forecast to open between $25 million and $30 million in the U.S. and Canada, with another $30 million-plus from 23 international territories for a global start near $60 million, according to Deadline's weekend box office preview.
Box Office Theory's Nov. 4 forecast puts the domestic range at $24 million to $33 million. Even a mid-$20 million result would be the biggest opening in Gkids' history, ahead of the $13 million debut of Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron. Takashi Yamazaki's R-rated sequel is booked in 3,250 theaters, including every Imax auditorium, and opened in Japan with $5.7 million on its first day.
Quinta Brunson, America Ferrera and Xochitl Gomez lend their voices to Seuss
The Cat in the Hat, the first theatrical release from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation under division chief Bill Damaschke, is eyeing about $20 million from roughly 4,000 locations, Deadline reports. Box Office Theory is more cautious at $12 million to $17 million. Bill Hader voices the title character, with Quinta Brunson, America Ferrera, Xochitl Gomez and Tiago Martinez in the voice cast. The benchmark is a difficult one: Universal's 2003 live-action version starring Mike Myers opened to $38.3 million but was seen as a disappointment against a $109 million production budget.
Elsewhere, Sony's Ramayana: Rise of a Legend began previews Wednesday in 1,300 locations, the widest North American release ever for an Indian film, and is looking at about $6 million over four days. Angel Studios' colonial-era Drummer Boy, which features India Brown, opens in 2,840 theaters with a projection in the mid-single-digit millions. Searchlight's Wild Horse Nine, Martin McDonagh's comedy set on Easter Island during 1973 Chile, is forecast at $4 million to $6 million. Fathom's Jimmy, with KJ Apa as Jimmy Stewart, is tracking at $2.5 million to $6 million per Box Office Theory.
For families weighing their options, the widest release of the weekend features Brunson, Ferrera, Gomez and Martinez in its voice cast. See Cup of Soul's guide to new movies in theaters this weekend, our coverage of KJ Apa's Jimmy and the 2026 Holiday Film Guide.
