GKIDS has acquired the North American distribution rights to KOKUHO (directed by Lee Sang-il), starring Ryo Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama, and Ken Watanabe. GKIDS plans a theatrical release across North America in early 2026.
While the wide North American release is slated for 2026, the film is scheduled to screen at AFI Fest on October 24, 2025, and a limited run in select theaters beginning November 14, 2025 has also been announced. For full details see the GKIDS's site.
In Japan, following its June 2025 release, KOKUHO surpassed ¥17.0 billion in box office receipts as of November 10, 2025 — marking it as a huge hit and the second-highest grossing live-action Japanese film to date, with momentum to challenge the top film ("Bayside Shakedown 2 / 踊る大捜査線 THE MOVIE 2 レインボーブリッジを封鎖せよ！", 2003 release, ¥17.35 billion).
The film premiered in the Director’s Fortnight at Cannes and is also scheduled to make its North American festival debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.
KOKUHO has been selected as Japan’s official entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. The shortlist of five nominees will be announced on January 22, 2026.
