Shin Godzilla

Shin Godzilla (シン・ゴジラ, Shin Gojira) is a 2016 Japanese kaiju film directed by Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, with a screenplay by Anno and visual effects by Higuchi. Produced by Toho Pictures and Cine Bazar and distributed by Toho Co., Ltd., it is the 31st film in the Godzilla franchise, the 29th film produced by Toho, Toho's third reboot of the franchise, and the first film in the franchise's Reiwa era. It is the first reboot of a tokusatsu series to be adapted by Anno and Higuchi, followed by Shin Ultraman (2022) and Shin Kamen Rider (2023). The film stars Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, and Satomi Ishihara. In the film, politicians struggle with bureaucratic red tape in order to deal with the sudden appearance of an ever-evolving monster named Godzilla. In December 2014, Toho announced plans for a new domestic Godzilla film. Anno and Higuchi were announced as the directors in March 2015. Principal photography began in September 2015 and ended in October 2015. Inspiration for the film was drawn from the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster in Japan. Production had a budget of ¥1.3 billion, with advertising bringing the film's total budget to ¥2.19 billion. Shin Godzilla was released in Japan on July 29, receiving critical acclaim from Japanese critics and mixed reviews from Western critics. The film grossed $79 million worldwide in its initial theatrical run, and $83.3 million with re-releases, becoming the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film of 2016. It was also the highest-earning Japanese-produced Godzilla film until surpassed by Godzilla Minus One in 2023. At the 40th Japan Academy Film Prize, it received 11 Japan Academy Prize nominations, winning seven including Picture of the Year and Director of the Year.