Godzilla Minus One has achieved history after being unexpectedly released on Netflix.
The Oscar-winning Japanese monster movie was given a surprise release on the streamer globally last week.
However, it has now achieved a never-before-seen feat of a movie topping both the Netflix movie chart and a video-on-demand (VOD) chart at the same time.
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On Saturday (June 1), Godzilla Minus One was number one on the iTunes chart while also being free to stream for Netflix subscribers (via IndieWire).
The movie became a huge success upon its cinema release last year, drawing critical acclaim and going on to win an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects earlier this year.
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It also became the highest-grossing Japanese language movie in North America in January, taking in $50 million in the US.
Godzilla Minus One is set in the aftermath of World War II in Japan, with the country at its lowest point as it faces a new threat in the form of the giant monster.
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Meanwhile, producer Minami Ichikawa previously opened up about a potential sequel, saying they don’t "feel the need to rush the next installment of a live-action film".
"We established a dedicated 'Godzilla Room' division at Toho in 2019," he told the Japanese GQ. "We're collectively considering the future of the Godzilla character.
"We've had things like animated Godzilla films in the past, so we're brainstorming new avenues to expand the Godzilla universe, including publications, merchandise, and collaboration products.
"However, I don't feel the need to rush the next instalment of a live-action film. Good films are all about quality. We want great ideas, an excellent script, a talented director, and the right cast to work on it carefully. Godzilla deserves to have that level of intentionality."
Godzilla Minus One is available to stream on Netflix now.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
