Oscar-winning sensation Godzilla Minus One is finally coming to 4K and Blu-ray with English subtitles in September, and it’s proven to be a solid hit for Netflix (after making a killing at the box office, too). Now, the film’s acclaimed black-and-white version, the perfectly named Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color, is also making its way to streaming, which is particularly excellent news for fans who missed it during its brief theatrical run in the U.S.
Netflix shared the good news earlier today:
GODZILLA MINUS ONE / MINUS COLOR IS COMING TO NETFLIX AUGUST 1 pic.twitter.com/Fy08Hvjm2R
— Netflix (@netflix) July 12, 2024
When Minus Color‘s theatrical release was announced back in January, Godzilla Minus One director, writer, VFX supervisor, and thematic fashion plate Takashi Yamakazi shared his enthusiasm for the alternate version in a press release:
“Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color is not just a simple black and white version. Our colorist took the time and care to go through a very meticulous and complex process,” he said. “The black-and-white images make Godzilla look very realistic and documentary-like, which leads to even more fear. Even though we have seen Godzilla Minus One many times, we felt that something completely different appeared here—and it’s very scary! So this is not only for those who liked Godzilla Minus One but also those who are seeing it for the first time—they should definitely see this black-and-white version. Especially the scene at the beginning where Godzilla appears in the night—it is so terrifying that it made my knees shake!”
In any hue, Godzilla’s first appearance is a jump scare done exactly right, and the fear it inspires is all the more remarkable considering he grows much, much larger as the movie progresses. The black-and-white version also inevitably calls to mind Ishiro Honda’s 1954 original, a movie more closely tied to Minus One than many other films in the now-massive Godzilla franchise. In other words, it’s very cool that Minus Color exists, and even cooler how accessible it’ll soon be for U.S. fans.
Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color arrives on Netflix August 1; you can watch the original version on Netflix right now.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
