WORLDWIDE THEATRICAL DISTRIBUTOR PIECE OF MAGIC ENTERTAINMENT SECURES RIGHTS TO NEWEST TOHO PROPERTY
Source: Piece of Magic Entertainment press release
Official Site: https://godzilla-movie2023.toho.co.jp/ (Japan), https://pieceofmagic.com/case/godzilla-minus-one# (Europe)
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/godzilla231103
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godzilla231103/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@godzilla.toho European poster for GODZILLA MINUS ONE. Photo courtesy of Piece of Magic Entertainment. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD.
European distribution company Piece of Magic Entertainment (POM) has acquired the theatrical rights to GODZILLA MINUS ONE, the next instalment of the Japanese global phenomenon and the 30th Godzilla feature from the iconic TOHO. POM have acquired the rights to the film in 38 territories across Europe, with plans to release theatrically from December 1st, in markets including: France, Italy, Spain, Benelux, the Nordics, and Poland, some in Imax and 4DX.
The exciting partnership between POM and esteemed TOHO aligns with the 70th anniversary of Godzilla’s cinematic debut and marks the newest Japanese-made Godzilla film since 2016. GODZILLA MINUS ONE takes place in postwar Japan, where a new terror rises; Godzilla, forcing the country’s devastated people to not only survive, but fight back. Takashi Yamazaki (THE ETERNAL ZERO, ALWAYS: SUNSET ON THIRD STREET, PARASYTE: PART 1) is credited as Director, Writer, and VFX on the film, which stars Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, and Kuranosuke Sasaki. The Godzilla franchise has achieved phenomenal worldwide success, with TOHO at the forefront. They occupy eight spots in the genre’s top ten highest-grossing films of all time and have totalled over $1 billion at the box office worldwide.
This acquisition further cements POM’s reputation for distributing prestige and diverse content theatrically throughout Europe. Upcoming projects being distributed worldwide include Maria Callas’ historical 1958 performance in CALLAS – PARIS, 1958, carefully restored for the big screen in colour, 4K and Dolby Atmos, the pinnacle of esports, LEAGUE OF LEGENDS CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS 2023 live from Seoul, and world-renowned and proven box office sensation artist André Rieu’s WHITE CHRISTMAS cinema concert. Earlier this summer, POM further strengthened their footprint in the anime space with their newly launched subsidiary POM Anime, celebrating theatrical releases across Europe with box office hit ONE PIECE FILM: RED and recently THE FIRST SLAM DUNK, which was released in 35 territories and screened during the 2023 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. POM Anime are set to release the timeless, cinematic masterpiece AKIRA in 4K for its 35th anniversary, screening across multiple territories such as Poland, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Greece, Cyprus, and Serbia.
Caspar Nadaud, CEO & Founder of Piece of Magic Entertainment, shared: “We are thrilled to be expanding the footprint of the Godzilla phenomenon and releasing its full potential by bringing it to European audiences on the big screen. It is an honour to be partnering with TOHO, the talented creators of this global brand. Their work with Takashi Yamazaki is sure to be an instant cult classic, and we look forward to working alongside this amazing team to celebrate the 70th birthday of this legendary monster.”
The Godzilla franchise has been recognised by Guiness World Records as the longest continuously running film franchise worldwide. From its origins as an allegory for the hydrogen bomb, Godzilla has evolved into a beloved ‘kaiju’ phenomenon pushing the cinematic boundaries of the genre and becoming a cultural touchstone across music, gaming, and more.
About Piece of Magic Entertainment
Piece of Magic Entertainment (POM) is an international theatrical distribution company bringing high-calibre content to cinemas around the world, specialising in prestige films and documentaries through to anime, e-sports and event cinema, that's best experienced on the big screen. We can release in a handful of territories or branch out much wider with a reach of thousands of screens across 90+ countries, managing sales, operations and marketing.
About Toho Co. Ltd.
Toho Company provides high-quality entertainment to a wide range of customers through its film production, distribution, and exhibition business, which is solidly supported by its real estate business including the Shinjuku Toho Building and Hibiya Chante, animation production, DVD software production and sales, and TOHO Cinemas' efforts to expand its network of multiplex cinemas. Among these, "Godzilla," which has been around since 1954, is Toho's flagship IP that has many fans around the world and has been loved for many years.