Godzilla Minus Zero emerged ahead with $63 million globally, while Ramayana: Rise of a Legend followed with $55.7 million, driven largely by strong attendance in India.
Despite the difference in their worldwide earnings, both productions demonstrated the growing international appeal of Japanese and Indian filmmaking, with audiences turning out in significant numbers across several markets.
Ramayana generated approximately $32 million in India, alongside $12.2 million in North America and another $11.5 million across 37 international territories handled by Sony Pictures.
The film's performance in North America represents the second-biggest opening for an Indian production in the region, behind Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which debuted with $14 million in March.
The movie also recorded notable performances in the United Kingdom, Thailand, the Netherlands and South Africa, setting local opening records for an Indian film in those markets.
Its international earnings included $3 million in the UK, $550,000 in Thailand, $240,000 in the Netherlands and $75,000 in South Africa.
Other strong markets included the United Arab Emirates, which contributed $2.2 million, Australia with $1.9 million, Germany with $625,000 and Nepal with $500,000.
The film's release strategy covered more than 10,000 screens across over 130 countries, with the production made available in 17 dubbed languages.
A press statement accompanying the release claimed that the film sold 11 million tickets during the Diwali holiday, describing it as the most-watched movie globally during the festive period.
However, the claim was not independently substantiated in the available box office figures.
The film's performance is expected to receive further boosts as it enters additional international markets, including Indonesia, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Poland, Argentina, Colombia and Peru in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Godzilla Minus Zero continued to dominate its home market in Japan, where it earned approximately 2.7 billion yen, equivalent to $17 million, following its release on Tuesday, coinciding with Godzilla Day.
Its performance was particularly strong in premium large-format cinemas, with IMAX contributing $21.3 million worldwide, representing approximately 34 per cent of its global opening.
The figure also established a new record for the biggest worldwide IMAX opening for a Japanese film.
In North America, IMAX screenings generated $12.7 million across 429 locations, accounting for 40 per cent of the film's weekend ticket sales. Internationally, the production earned another $8.6 million from 421 IMAX screens across 64 markets, with Japan contributing $4 million.
IMAX Chief Executive Officer, Rich Gelfond, praised the production, describing it as a significant achievement in Japanese filmmaking.
“With Godzilla Minus Zero, Takashi Yamazaki and our friends at Toho have delivered a tremendous feat of filmmaking with arresting visuals that somehow top its predecessor; we are proud to call this the first Filmed For IMAX release from Japan and delighted fans are overwhelmingly choosing to experience it on our screens,” Gelfond said.
He added that the film's success would create further opportunities for partnerships with Japanese filmmakers and expand IMAX's presence in the market.
Ramayana also made history in IMAX cinemas, generating $6 million globally and recording the biggest worldwide IMAX opening ever for an Indian film.
Of the total, India contributed $2 million, while North America accounted for $2.5 million from 53 screens. Another $1.4 million came from 32 international markets outside India.
Beyond the two major releases, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation's The Cat in the Hat recorded a relatively modest $30.5 million worldwide opening against a production budget reportedly exceeding $80 million.
Voiced by Bill Hader, the animated film generated $20.5 million in North America and approximately $10 million across 60 international territories.
Its overseas performance included $1.1 million in Mexico, $1 million in Italy, $999,000 in Spain, $663,000 in China and $541,000 in Brazil.
Other markets included Colombia with $535,000, Poland with $422,000, the United Arab Emirates with $312,000 and Saudi Arabia with $278,000.
The film's opening has raised questions about its ability to match the commercial success of earlier Dr. Seuss adaptations, particularly The Lorax, which debuted with $70.2 million in North America in 2012 before eventually earning more than $349 million worldwide.
Industry analysis suggests that The Cat in the Hat has attracted a predominantly younger audience, with nearly 60 per cent of its viewers reportedly below the age of nine.
The film is expected to benefit from a staggered international release schedule designed to take advantage of the year-end holiday season.
Elsewhere, Searchlight Pictures' spy comedy Wild Horse Nine, written and directed by Martin McDonagh, opened with $12.6 million worldwide, comprising $6 million in North America and $6.6 million from 29 international territories.
Starring John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, the film recorded its strongest overseas performances in the United Kingdom, where it earned $2 million, followed by Italy with $1 million, France with $700,000 and Australia with another $700,000.
The opening represents McDonagh's biggest debut in North America, although the filmmaker's highest-grossing production remains Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which accumulated $162.7 million worldwide.
Black Bear's Wicker also maintained its international presence, recording a $7 million weekend, including $3.35 million in North America and $3.7 million overseas. Its worldwide cumulative earnings stood at approximately $29 million.
Universal Pictures' concert film, George Michael – The Faith Tour, generated $2.1 million across 35 international territories, with the United Kingdom leading the performance at $1.3 million from 620 screens.
The Netherlands contributed $200,000, while Italy recorded a similar figure. Denmark added $106,000, and Poland generated $70,000.
Overall, the performances of Godzilla Minus Zero and Ramayana highlighted the increasing importance of international markets and premium cinema formats in determining box office success, with IMAX emerging as a major beneficiary of the competition between the two productions.