Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns has made an explosive debut in North American cinemas, earning an impressive US$11.4 million from Thursday preview screenings across 2,800 locations in the U.S. and Canada. The staggering figure marks a new record for an anime film’s Thursday previews, signaling massive fan anticipation for the latest installment in the globally popular franchise.
The film, distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures, officially opened nationwide in the United States and Canada on Friday, September 12, 2025, following its initial release in Japan on July 18, 2025.
Record-Breaking Preview Performance
The US$11.4 million gross from Thursday previews for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns significantly surpasses previous benchmarks for anime films in North America. This strong start immediately positions the movie as a major contender at the weekend box office. Industry analysts are now projecting a robust opening weekend for the film, with estimates ranging from $60 million to $70 million, which would make it the biggest opening weekend for an anime film in U.S. history.
The immediate success underscores the growing mainstream appeal of anime in the Western market, building on the phenomenal performance of previous Demon Slayer cinematic releases.
Domestic and Global Box Office Momentum
While the North American rollout is just beginning, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns has already been a massive success globally. As of September 11, the film had accumulated over $316 million worldwide, even before its wide release in North America, South America, and Europe.
In Japan, where the film premiered in July, it quickly became the highest-grossing film of 2025 and currently stands as the third highest-grossing film in the country’s history. It has already surpassed Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away to become the second-highest-grossing film in Japan, demonstrating its immense popularity in its home market. The film achieved over ¥31.7 billion (approximately US$213 million) in Japan, selling more than 22 million tickets, and becoming the fastest film in Japanese box office history to cross the ¥30 billion mark.
The Infinity Castle Trilogy
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns is the first of a planned three-part cinematic trilogy that will adapt the highly anticipated “Infinity Castle” arc, representing the final major conflict of the acclaimed anime series. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by Ufotable, the film continues the saga of Tanjiro Kamado and the Demon Slayer Corps as they confront Muzan Kibutsuji and his formidable Upper-Rank Demons.
Unlike previous compilation films for arcs like “Swordsmith Village” and “Hashira Training,” the Infinity Castle films are designed as feature-length adaptations, similar to the critically and commercially successful Mugen Train movie.
Critical Acclaim and Fan Excitement
The film has garnered strong critical reception, with a 96% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, who praise it as a “visual spectacle with stunning animation, a powerful score, and thrilling fight choreography.” Audience scores are even higher, reflecting overwhelming fan satisfaction. The casting of notable actors like Channing Tatum as Keizo and Rebecca Wang as Koyuki for the English dub has also generated significant interest.
The strong performance in preview screenings and the ongoing global success solidify Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns‘s position as a cinematic event, poised to dominate the box office and further cement the Demon Slayer franchise’s legacy.
