The first film in the highly anticipated Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle trilogy has obliterated U.S. box office records, earning an estimated $70 million in its North American debut this past weekend. This monumental opening establishes it as the biggest anime film debut of all time in the region, far surpassing previous benchmarks and signaling a significant shift in the cinematic landscape for Japanese animation.
Released by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the film’s performance not only secured the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office, outpacing films like The Conjuring: Last Rites, but also achieved the sixth-highest September opening in history across all films.
A Historic Opening for Anime in North America
The staggering $70 million take for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle shattered the long-standing record held by Pokémon: The First Movie, which debuted with $31 million in 1999. This represents a more than doubling of the previous record, underscoring the immense growth and mainstream appeal of anime in the North American market. The film’s Friday opening alone brought in $33 million, immediately surpassing Pokémon: The First Movie‘s entire opening weekend gross.
The film, which is the first installment of a three-part trilogy concluding the popular Demon Slayer saga, also marks Sony’s largest domestic opening of 2025 to date. Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst for Comscore, highlighted the unpredictability of the box office, noting that few would have predicted a Japanese anime film to dominate to this extent just weeks ago.
“Demon Slayer”‘s Ascending Box Office Dominance
The Demon Slayer franchise has consistently shown strong theatrical performance, with each cinematic release building upon the last.
Previous “Demon Slayer” Film Performances
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train: Released in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, this film opened to $21.2 million in North America in April 2021, ultimately grossing just shy of $50 million domestically. It held the record for the biggest opening for any foreign-language film in North America.
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training: This earlier 2024 release, a cinematic compilation of TV anime episodes, over-performed its projections, debuting at $11.6 million in the U.S. and Canada and reaching a worldwide total of over $50 million.
The Infinity Castle film’s $70 million opening weekend dramatically surpasses the combined three-day opening weekends of previous Demon Slayer theatrical releases in North America. This includes Mugen Train ($21.2 million), To the Hashira Training ($11.5 million), and To the Swordsmith Village ($10.1 million total U.S. gross).
A Broader Impact on the Anime Industry
The success of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle is not just a win for a single franchise; it signifies a robust and expanding audience for anime as a whole. Industry experts view this as a clear indication that anime has evolved into a major cultural and commercial force, capable of competing with and even surpassing traditional Hollywood blockbusters.
The film’s performance also highlights the power of a dedicated fanbase and the growing acceptance of animated features as serious cinematic events. Produced by the renowned studio Ufotable, known for its lavish visuals and dynamic fight sequences, the Infinity Castle film has capitalized on the franchise’s global sensation status. Its strong debut also contributed to a significant rebound in September’s box office after a relatively slow August.
Globally, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle has already amassed over $400 million, with an impressive $132.1 million from international markets during its opening weekend. With subsequent films in the trilogy slated for release in 2027 and 2029, the Demon Slayer saga is poised to continue its record-breaking trajectory and further cement anime’s position at the forefront of global entertainment.
