Netflix Gets The Best Godzilla Minus One Version We Can’t Wait To See

Watching the Netflix version of Godzilla Minus One Minus Color might not be quite as good as seeing it on the big screen, but this expertly crafted version is just as worthy of a watch as the original version of the film. The black and white version is much more than just a monochrome coat of paint, as director Takashi Yamazaki previously stated that this version of the film was made “cut by cut” and that various mattes were used “as if they were creating a new movie.” He added, “What I was aiming for was a style that looked like it was taken by masters of monochrome photography.”

Takashi Yamazaki is a director who knows a thing or two about visual effects, too, as he has also been a visual effects supervisor on many films and, in fact, worked on the visual effects for this film. So, if you turn on Netflix and watch Godzilla Minus One Minus Color, you can expect it to look pretty incredible. The decision to make a black-and-white version is an homage to the original 1954 film, and it’s a decision that makes sense for a lot of reasons.

For one, the movie is actually set in 1940s Japan, so the black and white version lends it sort of a documentary style to make it seem even more real. Also, much like the 1954 original, Godzilla Minus One is a deeply thematic movie with a more serious take on the franchise compared to the silly (yet fun) Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which came out the same year. If you’re a fan of the more dramatic Godzilla movies, then checking out Netflix’s release of Godzilla Minus One Minus Color on August 1 will be well worth your time.

Godzilla Minus One was a massive success for the franchise, bringing in a worldwide total box office haul of $115 million against a $15 million budget. Along with looking incredible, the film told a genuinely great story and quickly became a fan favorite. With Toho handling the dramatic kaiju stuff with Godzilla Minus One and Legendary handling the silly kaiju battle stuff with Godzilla x Kong: A New Empire, there’s a little something for every kind of Godzilla fan nowadays.

While Netflix is giving us a good place to stream Godzilla Minus One, those who prefer physical media can look forward to the DVD and Blu-ray for the film releasing in September 2024. If you don’t want to cough up the money for a 4K Netflix subscription and if you plan on watching this modern classic plenty of times in the future, it might be worth waiting to pick up the Blu-ray for a top-notch viewing experience. It’s safe to say this film deserves the best home theater set-up possible to see the care put into it.