‘Ramayana’ Crosses $100 Million Worldwide, Becomes First International Film Outside China To Hit Milestone In 2026

‘Ramayana: Rise of a Legend’ has added another significant milestone to its already impressive theatrical run. The Nitesh Tiwari-directed epic has officially crossed the $100 million mark at the global box office, giving Indian cinema a major moment on the international stage. What makes the achievement particularly interesting is the company it has beaten to the milestone. The film has reached the coveted figure ahead of Japan’s ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’, making it the first international production outside China to cross the $100 million mark worldwide in 2026.

For a film rooted in one of India's oldest epics to find an audience across international territories is an achievement in itself. But ‘Ramayana’ is doing more than simply attracting the overseas Indian diaspora. Its opening numbers in markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Middle East suggest that the film has managed to make its presence felt in territories where Indian films do not always enjoy such wide theatrical exposure.

The United States has emerged as one of its strongest international markets. The film opened to an estimated $12.2 million in North America, placing it among the biggest openings for an Indian film in the region. It also finished as the second-highest-grossing new release in the territory during its opening weekend, behind ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’. 

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‘Ramayana’ Crosses $100 Million Worldwide, Becomes First International Film Outside China To Hit Milestone In 2026

The United Kingdom has provided another major highlight. ‘Ramayana’ collected approximately $3 million during its opening weekend, setting a new opening-weekend record for an Indian film in the market. It also became the first Indian film to top the UK and Ireland box-office charts over a weekend. The United Arab Emirates contributed around $2.2 million, while Australia brought in approximately $1.9 million. Germany, meanwhile, added over $625,000. The film's international appeal is also beginning to extend into Southeast Asia. Its release in Thailand brought in around Rs 5 crore, while its Indonesian premiere attracted considerable attention. These markets could become increasingly important as Sony Pictures International continues to expand the film's theatrical footprint. 
 

Another interesting aspect of the film's overseas performance is its staggered international release strategy. Rather than opening everywhere simultaneously, ‘Ramayana’ is reaching additional territories in phases. Hong Kong, Macau, Mexico and Central Asia are scheduled to receive the film on November 12, followed by Brazil, Italy, Ukraine and Hungary on November 19. Poland follows on November 20, while Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and other Latin American markets are lined up for November 26. 

The numbers are particularly encouraging given that the film still has several markets to explore. Its international distribution is being handled by Sony Pictures, giving the production access to a wider theatrical network than most Indian releases typically enjoy.

For Namit Malhotra, Nitesh Tiwari and the team behind the ambitious production, crossing $100 million worldwide is a significant early victory. More importantly, the film's international journey is far from over. With fresh territories opening over the coming weeks, ‘Ramayana’ has an opportunity to push its global box-office tally considerably higher.