Los Angeles, CA – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle has officially become the highest-grossing non-English international film in U.S. box office history, shattering a long-standing record held for a quarter-century. The animated epic, the first in a planned trilogy, has achieved an astonishing domestic run, underscoring the surging mainstream appeal of anime in North America.
The film’s impressive performance marks a significant cultural and financial milestone, proving that non-English storytelling can dominate the cinematic landscape.
A Historic Box Office Triumph for Anime
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle, distributed by Sony Pictures and Crunchyroll, opened with an estimated $70 million USD in its debut weekend across the U.S. and Canada in September 2025. This made it the biggest opening weekend for any anime film in U.S. box office history. This monumental achievement surpassed the previous record held by Pokémon: The First Movie, which earned $31 million in 1999. Adjusted for inflation, Pokémon‘s 1999 gross would be approximately $60 million in 2025, still placing Infinity Castle‘s opening well ahead.
Beyond its opening weekend, the film continued its record-breaking trajectory. As of early October 2025, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle had earned approximately $124.6 million domestically. Industry projections indicated it was poised to surpass $130 million domestically within days, which would officially crown it as the highest-grossing non-English language film in U.S. box office history, eclipsing Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon‘s record of $128 million. The film is also expected to top $100 million domestically, beating Pokémon: The First Movie‘s total domestic gross of $85.7 million for an anime film.
Globally, the film’s success is equally remarkable. As of September 21, 2025, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle had already become the highest-grossing anime of all time globally, with over $555 million. Other reports indicate a worldwide gross exceeding $648 million.
The “Infinity Castle” Arc on the Big Screen
The film is the highly anticipated first installment of a three-part cinematic adaptation of the “Infinity Castle Arc” from Koyoharu Gotoge’s acclaimed manga series. This arc represents the climactic final battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and their ultimate antagonist, Muzan Kibutsuji.
The narrative sees protagonist Tanjiro Kamado, alongside his companions Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira, and the elite Hashira, thrust into the mysterious and treacherous Infinity Castle after a confrontation with Muzan Kibutsuji. The film sets the stage for the ultimate showdown, a battle crucial for the fate of humanity.
The Phenomenon of Demon Slayer
The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba franchise has been a global juggernaut since the anime series debuted in 2019. Its previous theatrical release, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train (2020), was a monumental success, becoming the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time worldwide and achieving a $485 million global gross despite the COVID-19 pandemic. It also set a record as the biggest opening for any foreign-language film in North America in 2021.
The enduring popularity of the manga, which has sold over 150 million copies, combined with Ufotable’s critically acclaimed animation, has cemented Demon Slayer as a cultural phenomenon. The success of Infinity Castle in the U.S. and worldwide signifies not just a financial triumph but also a profound cultural shift, demonstrating anime’s firm integration into mainstream Western cinema. This trend reflects an evolving audience appetite for diverse, non-English storytelling, fueled by increased accessibility through streaming and social media.
