The first film in the “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle” trilogy has made a monumental impact at the U.S. box office, securing the biggest opening weekend ever for an anime film. Distributed by Sony Pictures’ Crunchyroll, the movie debuted to an estimated $70 million in ticket sales across North America, far surpassing previous anime records and leading the overall domestic box office. This impressive performance highlights the surging popularity of anime in the Western market.
A Historic Debut for Anime in North America
“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns” (its official title) shattered expectations by grossing $70 million in its opening weekend across 3,315 locations in the U.S. and Canada. This figure includes $33 million on Friday, $21.6 million on Saturday, and a projected $15.4 million on Sunday. The film’s success immediately positions it as the highest-grossing animated film of 2025 domestically and marks the best opening for an animated title in September.
The previous record for the biggest anime opening weekend in the U.S. was held by “Pokémon: The First Movie,” which earned $31 million in 1999. “Infinity Castle” not only broke this 26-year-old record but did so even when adjusted for inflation. The film’s opening day alone, with $33 million, surpassed “Pokémon: The First Movie’s” entire opening weekend.
Global Box Office Triumph and International Reach
Beyond its domestic success, “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” has also achieved remarkable results globally. Its worldwide weekend total reached $132.1 million, expanding into 49 international markets. The film has already generated over $350 million globally, with more than $213 million coming from Japan alone, where it has become the nation’s third-highest-grossing film of all time.
The movie also set new anime opening records in numerous other territories, including Mexico ($9.8 million), Brazil ($4.4 million), Peru ($2.8 million), Central America ($2.4 million), Argentina ($2.2 million), and Chile ($2.2 million). Furthermore, it became the top-grossing anime film ever in the UK ($4.6 million), Spain ($3.7 million), Italy ($3.0 million), Saudi Arabia ($2.8 million), and the UAE ($1.4 million), while also achieving the highest opening for an anime film in Australia ($3.2 million). India also saw its biggest opening weekend for an animated/anime film, adding $5.2 million to the global tally.
Why “Infinity Castle” Resonated with Audiences
The overwhelming success of “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” can be attributed to several factors:
A Beloved Franchise with a Dedicated Fanbase
The “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” manga and anime series have cultivated an enormous and passionate global following. The anime, produced by the studio Ufotable, is renowned for its spectacular animation quality, which has been a major draw for fans. This film serves as a direct sequel to the fourth season of the anime television series and adapts crucial parts of the “Infinity Castle” arc from the original manga, leading to high anticipation among fans eager to see the story unfold on the big screen.
Strategic Release and Distribution
Crunchyroll, a Sony-owned anime distributor, has been instrumental in the film’s North American release, demonstrating its growing influence as a theatrical powerhouse. The timing of the release, following preview screenings, effectively built momentum for its full theatrical debut.
Critical Acclaim
The film has received widespread positive reviews from critics, boasting a 97% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an equally strong 98% audience score. Critics have praised its polished presentation, further enhancing its appeal to both existing fans and newcomers.
Underserved Market for Event Films
Box office experts suggest that “Infinity Castle” overperformed partly because it catered to an underserved demographic, similar to the success of “Kpop Demon Hunters” earlier in the summer. This indicates a strong commercial value in offering “event films” specifically tailored to dedicated fanbases.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Anime in Cinema
With a reported budget of $20 million, “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’s” $70 million domestic launch is particularly notable, showcasing a strong return on investment compared to many Hollywood blockbusters. This success further solidifies anime’s position as a major box office draw, signaling that it is no longer a niche product but a reliable and powerful force in the film industry. The film is the first part of a planned trilogy that will conclude the “Demon Slayer” anime series. It is also poised to become the highest-grossing anime film of all time in the U.S., expected to surpass “Pokémon: The First Movie’s” lifetime earnings of $85.7 million in the coming days, and potentially becoming the first anime film to cross the $100 million mark in North America. The film’s robust performance, including an impressive $5 million on its fourth day, setting the record for the biggest Monday ever for an international film in the U.S., points to continued strong viewership.
