The anime film "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle" has achieved a phenomenal box office debut, setting a new record for the biggest opening weekend ever for an anime movie in North America. The film raked in a staggering $33 million from Friday and preview screenings alone, surpassing the previous record held by "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero." This impressive opening also eclipses the previous anime opening weekend record set by "Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back" in 1999.
The film's success isn't limited to North America. Globally, "Infinity Castle" has already amassed over $279 million, with over $200 million coming from its home country, Japan, where it remains the number one film eight weeks after its release and holds the position of the third highest-grossing film of all time. This remarkable performance is a testament to the film's popularity and the growing appeal of anime in global cinema.
Contributing to the film's success are several factors: its release in both subtitled and dubbed versions, premium large format screenings (with $6.4 million in IMAX alone on Friday), overwhelmingly positive reviews, and exceptional audience reception, earning an "A" CinemaScore grade. Crunchyroll, Sony's anime distribution banner, is largely responsible for this massive success, having already demonstrated the theatrical potential of anime with the 2021 release of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train."
"Infinity Castle's" strong opening comes at a time when the September box office is exceeding expectations, following the unexpected success of "The Conjuring: Last Rites." This result is also a significant boost for Sony, after a relatively quiet summer blockbuster season. While early projections suggest a weekend total of around $56-$60 million, the film's performance could even surpass Sony's previous domestic opening record, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die." The film's success is likely to be front-loaded due to the enthusiasm of dedicated anime fans, but the strength of its opening weekend bodes well for continued success.
While "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle" dominates the box office, other new releases are also attracting audiences. "Downton Abbey: A New Era" opened strongly, while "The Long Walk" and "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" offer different genre options. However, none of these films come close to matching the remarkable success of the record-breaking "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle." The film's success signals a new era for anime films in the North American market and globally, showcasing the immense potential and passionate fanbase fueling the genre.
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Originally published at: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/box-office-demon-slayer-infinity-castle-biggest-anime-opening-1236516498/
