**Strong critical reception and IMAX-focused marketing have lifted expectations for Godzilla Minus Zero ahead of its November 6 wide release, yet direct competition from Warner Bros.’ The Cat in the Hat creates a tight opening-weekend race.** Early reviews praise Takashi Yamazaki’s VFX spectacle and large-scale set pieces, building on the predecessor’s strong word-of-mouth and Oscar momentum, with industry tracking centering on a $25–35 million debut. The film’s premium-format strategy and absence of post-credits scenes could concentrate audience spending, while the animated family title targets overlapping playdates and may cap upside. Traders appear divided between sub-$28 million outcomes and the $34–40 million range, reflecting uncertainty over final presales and how the two releases split the weekend.