CinemaCon 2026 to Debut First Look at Godzilla Minus Zero with Director Takashi Yamazaki

CinemaCon 2026 will spotlight one of the most anticipated upcoming films in the "Godzilla" franchise with a special presentation from GKIDS. The global cinema industry convention announced that Tuesday’s studio programming will begin with an exclusive preview of the upcoming film "Godzilla Minus Zero", introduced by Academy Award–winning filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki.

The presentation will take place on April 14 at the main stage inside the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. GKIDS, the acclaimed distributor and producer known for championing international and artist-driven films, will open the morning’s “State of the Industry” session with never-before-seen footage from the new "Godzilla" project. Yamazaki, who previously earned the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for his work on "Godzilla Minus One", will appear in person at CinemaCon for the first time to present the preview and discuss the upcoming film.

Cinema United President and CEO Michael O’Leary emphasized the importance of showcasing a broad range of films for audiences worldwide.

“The future strength of our industry depends on a year-round diverse slate of films that speaks to the broad range of moviegoing audiences around the world. GKIDS exemplifies a commitment to diverse moviegoing choices, and we are thrilled to be working with them,” O’Leary said. “Many thanks to David Jesteadt, the entire GKIDS team, and the visionary filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki for their continued support of theatrical and what is sure to be an incredible show.”

GKIDS President David Jesteadt echoed those sentiments, saying, “We are longtime champions of the importance of the shared theatrical experience. We believe there’s no better place to kick off Yamazaki-san’s Godzilla Minus Zero than at CinemaCon with the folks who present that movie magic on the big screen: the cinema owners.”

The CinemaCon appearance also continues the franchise’s growing presence at the convention. Last year, TOHO President Hiro Matsuoka appeared on stage to commemorate the global success of "Godzilla Minus One" and celebrate the legendary monster’s 70th anniversary. The upcoming sneak peek of "Godzilla Minus Zero" effectively bookends that milestone moment while building anticipation for the next installment in the iconic series.

Although story details about "Godzilla Minus Zero" remain tightly guarded, the film is already generating significant buzz among fans and industry insiders. Yamazaki returns to the franchise as director, screenwriter, and visual effects supervisor. The project is currently in production and is being produced by TOHO Studios and ROBOT, with visual effects handled by SHIROGUMI Inc.

The film is scheduled to debut in Japan on November 3, 2026, through TOHO. GKIDS will then bring the film to North American theaters with a wide release beginning November 6, 2026.

The announcement comes as part of a packed lineup for CinemaCon 2026, which will run from April 13 through April 16 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Hosted by Cinema United, the annual convention serves as the world’s premier gathering for the theatrical exhibition industry, bringing together thousands of professionals from exhibition, distribution, and technology sectors to celebrate the moviegoing experience.

Ahead of the Tuesday presentation, CinemaCon will debut its inaugural CinemaCon Film Showcase on Monday, April 13. The showcase will feature presentations from Angel, Row K Entertainment, and STUDIOCANAL, all appearing on the main stage for the first time.

GKIDS continues to play a significant role in introducing globally acclaimed films to North American audiences. The company has been a major advocate of the “animation is film” movement. It represents works from celebrated filmmakers, including Makoto Shinkai, Satoshi Kon, Tomm Moore, Mamoru Hosoda, and the legendary Studio Ghibli catalog.

Alongside "Godzilla Minus Zero", GKIDS’ upcoming theatrical slate includes "Kokuho", a generational drama set in the world of kabuki that recently became the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film in its home market, and "Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom", the newest installment in Aardman’s beloved animated franchise. Recent releases from the distributor also include "Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution", Mamoru Oshii’s cult classic "Angel’s Egg", and the critically acclaimed "All You Need Is Kill", as well as popular television titles such as "Dan Da Dan", "Neon Genesis Evangelion", and "Arcane: League of Legends".

CinemaCon typically attracts more than 6,000 attendees each year from across the motion picture industry. The event highlights upcoming films, emerging technologies, and trends shaping theatrical entertainment worldwide. For 2026, The Coca-Cola Company and Barco will serve as the official co-presenting sponsors.