The Black and White Version of SHIN GODZILLA is Getting a U.S. Theatrical Release and There's a Trailer
As the Godzilla fandom continues to ride the high of Godzilla Minus One, Toho’s previous reimagining, Shin Godzilla, is getting another chance to shine, or rather, go dark. This time, it’s returning to theaters in striking black and white with a special version titled Shin Godzilla: ORTHOchromatic.
GKids has officially announced that this new version will be hitting U.S. theaters nationwide for a limited run, starting August 31 and running through the end of the month.
This marks the first time the ORTHOchromatic version will be shown in U.S. theaters. The release comes on the heels of Shin Godzilla's successful 4K remaster re-release, which drew renewed attention to the film nearly a decade after its original debut.
Shin Godzilla: ORTHOchromatic first premiered in Japan in 2023 as part of a curated series of Godzilla film re-releases celebrating the franchise’s 70th anniversary.
The series was organized by Godzilla Minus One director Takashi Yamazaki. This particular version was conceived by Shin Godzilla directors Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, with Katsuro Onoue stepping in as associate director for the remaster’s production.
So what exactly is “ORTHOchromatic”? The name refers to a style of black-and-white film that predates more modern techniques, offering deeper blacks and starker contrast. Unlike panchromatic film, which evenly captures all colors as shades of gray, orthochromatic film emphasizes a more dramatic and stylized visual palette. That aesthetic is front and center in this new version of Shin Godzilla.
Although it was released on physical media in Japan, this upcoming run will be the first time U.S. audiences get to experience Shin Godzilla: ORTHOchromatic in theaters. The rollout mirrors what Toho did earlier this year with Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color, the monochrome edition of its Oscar-winning hit.
Tickets are on sale now for screenings starting August 31. A new trailer has also dropped, giving fans a glimpse of what this visually intense reimagining looks like!