Today, Toho International, Inc. is proud to announce a series of one-of-a-kind experiences fit for the King of Monsters to celebrate its 67th birthday. Happy Birthday Godzilla! Godzilla’s long history continues to shape worldwide pop culture and festivities this year aimed to engage fans new and old to roll out beginning November 3, the date the first film premiered in 1954.
Get BWT in your inbox!
Get BWT in your inbox!
Austin-based movie theater company Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, in association with Janus Films, will exclusively host a coast-to-coast world premiere of the long-anticipated 4K remastering of the classic 1954 Godzilla film. The screenings will be held at over two dozen locations across the U.S., including flagship theaters in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and will mark 67 years since Godzilla’s first appearance in Toho’s Gojira, the classic monster movie widely regarded as a masterpiece that continues to shape the course of worldwide pop culture. In addition, throughout the first half of November, Alamo Drafthouse will screen fan-favorite kaiju classics Godzilla vs. Hedorah, Shin Godzilla, and a double feature of two Heisei era classics that have never been shown theatrically in North America.
To keep the Happy Birthday Godzilla buzz going, Toho Int. has teamed up with Mondo, Super7, Kinokuniya, and the official Godzilla Shop on Amazon to offer fans exciting new Godzilla merchandise. Fans can also tune in to Toho’s Official Godzilla YouTube Channel for all-new content, including the 1978 Godzilla animated series, Godziban puppet show, and the new original Godzilla Chomp documentary series premiering soon.
Alamo Drafthouse Godzilla Film Screenings
On Godzilla’s birthday, November 3, Alamo Drafthouse locations from coast-to-coast will exclusively premiere the long-anticipated 4K restoration of Godzilla. The newly-restored film has not yet been screened in Japan or the U.S., making the November 3 screenings a worldwide premiere.
From November 5-11, the Happy Birthday Godzilla festivities continue at select Alamo Drafthouse locations with a 50th-anniversary screening of one of Godzilla’s strangest adventures ever, Godzilla vs. Hedorah, as well as 2016’s critically-acclaimed Shin Godzilla. Then, beginning the week of November 12, select Alamo Drafthouse locations will present a must-see double feature spectacular – two classics of the Heisei era never before seen in American cinemas:
1984’s The Return of Godzilla, the kickoff to the Heisei era and a direct sequel to “Gojira,” which was heavily re-edited and released in the United States as Godzilla 1985. The release of the original Japanese version has never been officially screened on U.S. grounds.
1989’s Godzilla vs. Biollante, which only received a direct-to-video release in the U.S., has never received an official release in American theaters.
“Godzilla continues its reign as King of the Monsters, transcending mere entertainment icons and embodying emotions and social issues reflective of the times,” said Keiji Ota, Chief Godzilla Officer. “It is timely that we introduce the world to this first 4K version of the original Godzilla film to honor the legacy of this globally recognized symbol to the strongest fanbase in the world.”
“Toho’s enduring cast of kaiju creations have been lighting up Alamo Drafthouse screens for almost 25 years, so we were honored to help plan Godzilla’s birthday party,” says John Smith, Senior Film Programmer for Alamo Drafthouse. “It’s been a thrill to partner with Toho on the 4K premiere and our Happy Birthday Godzilla deep dive into some of the best work that Toho has ever produced.”
Tickets for all films can be purchased at www.drafthouse.com and participating Alamo Drafthouse theaters starting Wednesday, October 6. For a complete list of theater locations, dates and timing, visit the Alamo Drafthouse website (participating theaters are subject to change).
Godzilla AR Experience
For the first time, an augmented reality experience will be created for the original 1954 Godzilla character. Fans download the A.R. experience on their mobile device using the Q.R. code available at Godzilla.com and Alamo Drafthouse locations. Share photos using the hashtag #GodzillaDay.
Mondo
Pop culture collectibles brand Mondo has kicked off its Happy Birthday Godzilla festivities with the release of several exciting new products, including Godzilla and Hedorah Sofubis, the latest addition to their Godzilla Museum statue line, and more. The company also plans to announce several top-secret additions to its Toho Collection on November 3, including the beginning of its tribute to the Heisei series, with The Return Of Godzilla’s soundtrack pressed on vinyl.
Kinokuniya Bookstores of America
Continuing their successful Godzilla Invasion campaign nationwide, Kinokuniya Bookstores of America will once again offer fans access to a myriad of Godzilla merchandise, including items available exclusively from the official Godzilla Store in Japan. Initially established in Japan, Kinokuniya USA has been considered the prime location for enthusiasts of “otaku” culture in America since the U.S. branch’s founding in 1969. Whether shopping for premium Godzilla products or comparable franchises, Kinokuniya USA offers a great selection of English and Japanese books, manga, gift items, and high-quality stationery since the branch’s founding in 1969.
Fans can head to the Godzilla YouTube Channel now to watch episodes of the Godzilla 1978 series, with new episodes dropping weekly on Mondays, along with Godziban episodes dropping weekly on Fridays.
