Hayao Miyazaki, the iconic Japanese anime director, made box office history with his latest creation, The Boy and the Heron, earning $12.8 million in North America. The film, Miyazaki's first original anime, is the third anime ever to top the U.S. and Canadian box office, breaking new ground.

Despite his immense popularity in Japan and Asia, Miyazaki's films typically had a more modest impact in North America. His previous best performer, The Wind Rises, grossed $5.2 million domestically.

Originally thought to be Miyazaki's farewell film, The Boy and the Heron debuted as Studio Ghibli's enchanting animation. Vice President Junichi Nishioka revealed Miyazaki's return to filmmaking during the film's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The movie, lauded as one of the year's best, follows a boy navigating a mystical world after losing his mother in World War II. Featuring an English dub with stars like Robert Pattinson and Christian Bale, it's a poignant tale titled How Do You Live? in Japan.

Surprisingly, the film earned $56 million in Japan with no promotional materials. In the U.S. and Canada, it had a more conventional release but was treated with great care, much like other Miyazaki movies.

Meanwhile, Beyoncé's concert film Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé saw a sharp decline in its second weekend. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes held the second spot, collecting an estimated $9.4 million in its fourth week.

Additionally, Godzilla Minus One from Toho Studios secured $8.3 million in its second week, maintaining strong momentum.

In limited release, Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things opened to $644,000 in nine theaters. Ava DuVernay's Origin debuted in two theaters with $58,532 per screen average, setting the stage for a wider release in January.

Lastly, Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet and directed by Paul King, launched its overseas run with $43.2 million across 37 markets, promising a strong performance in the U.S. and Canada next weekend.