Low-budget Japanese blockbuster outperforms India’s mega-budget epic in worldwide and North American debut collections.
The global box office saw an unexpected winner this week, as Godzilla Minus Zero emerged as the highest-grossing new release worldwide, overtaking Nitesh Tiwari’s much-awaited Ramayana. Despite its considerably smaller budget, the Japanese monster film delivered a remarkable opening, proving that strong storytelling and franchise appeal can rival even the most expensive cinematic ventures.
According to industry estimates, Godzilla Minus Zero grossed approximately $63 million (around Rs 567 crore) worldwide during its opening weekend. The film also dominated the North American market, earning roughly $31.6 million, securing the top spot and finishing ahead of several major international releases.
The success becomes even more striking when compared with its production cost. The movie was reportedly made for about $19 million (Rs 171 crore), a relatively modest figure by modern blockbuster standards. In contrast, Ramayana had an estimated budget of $210 million (Rs 1,890 crore), making it one of the most expensive films ever produced in India.
While Ramayana, marketed internationally as Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, enjoyed a strong opening, it couldn’t match its Japanese competitor’s momentum. The film earned around $8.7 million in North America over the weekend, finishing fifth on the regional chart. Its extended opening weekend total in the market stood at approximately $12.2 million.
Globally, Ramayana earned an estimated $55 million over its four-day opening weekend. A significant share of that revenue came from India, where audiences responded enthusiastically. Domestic collections reportedly crossed Rs 290 crore, contributing more than $30 million to its worldwide earnings. Although the strong home-market performance narrowed the gap, it was not enough to overtake Godzilla Minus Zero.
Interestingly, the Japanese film achieved these figures without a release in South Asia. The regional launch was reportedly delayed because Ramayana continued to dominate IMAX screens.
Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, Godzilla Minus Zero is set in post-war Japan and follows the iconic monster’s return after a period of presumed defeat. The story centres on an epic confrontation between Godzilla and the legendary King Ghidorah, as human characters struggle to protect a nation still rebuilding from the devastation of war.
With a record-breaking opening and a strong international response, Godzilla Minus Zero has cemented its status as one of the year’s biggest theatrical successes. At the same time, Ramayana continues to rely on its strong domestic appeal to sustain momentum at the box office.
