Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle has stormed the North American box office, opening to more than $56 million and setting a new all-time record for anime films in the U.S. The Crunchyroll release toppled a 26-year benchmark previously held by Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back, which debuted with $31 million in 1999.

The film’s momentum was fueled by a massive $32.8 million opening day across 3,315 theaters, including premium large formats and IMAX, where it collected $6.4 million alone. Industry analysts now estimate the final weekend tally could climb as high as $70 million, depending on Saturday and Sunday turnout.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’s Record-Breaking Debut

The launch not only secures the biggest opening for an anime title but also surpasses records for single-day grosses, previously held by Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero with $10.9 million in 2022. Even after inflation adjustment, Infinity Castle is expected to remain the definitive anime box office champion if its three-day total clears $61 million.

Globally, the film has already generated $279 million, with more than $200 million coming from Japan, where it has dominated theaters for eight consecutive weeks and now ranks as the nation’s third-highest-grossing release of all time.

A Boost for Sony and Crunchyroll

Sony’s anime distributor Crunchyroll, continues to prove the theatrical viability of anime franchises. The company previously saw success with Demon Slayer: Mugen Train in 2021, which opened to $20 million in North America during the pandemic. With Infinity Castle, Sony could claim its biggest domestic debut in more than two years, potentially surpassing Bad Boys: Ride or Die ($56.5 million).

Exhibitor reports indicate Infinity Castle drew fans across both dubbed and subtitled screenings, further expanding its reach beyond core anime audiences. The film earned a rare “A” grade on CinemaScore, signaling strong word-of-mouth support.

Context for the Box Office

The success comes on the heels of another surprise hit, The Conjuring: Last Rites, which opened last weekend to $84 million. Together, these performances have lifted September’s domestic box office well above projections, with overall weekend grosses expected to reach $145 million, up 48% compared to the same frame in 2024.

Meanwhile, The Conjuring: Last Rites is holding second place with a projected $26 million weekend, bringing its 10-day domestic total to $131 million. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is tracking at $19.5 million, while Lionsgate’s The Long Walk is expected to open around $11 million.

A Defining Moment for Anime in Theaters

With its record-breaking start, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle signals the strongest mainstream foothold yet for anime films in the U.S. market. Analysts note the franchise’s broad global fanbase makes traditional tracking difficult, leaving open the possibility of further box office surprises.

As theaters prepare for major fall releases like Wicked: For Good, the runaway success of Infinity Castle ensures momentum will carry well into the next quarter.

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