'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’ is the Biggest Anime Box Office Opening of All Time. Yes, ALL TIME.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has shattered box office records as the highest-grossing anime movie opening ever, pulling in a staggering $70 million domestically during its debut weekend and proving the explosive global appeal of this demon-slaying saga.
The latest entry in the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba franchise, Infinity Castle, arrived like a blazing Nichirin sword, dominating theaters and leaving Hollywood heavyweights in its wake. Released by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures, this animated epic not only topped the charts but also marked a seismic shift for anime in mainstream cinema. For newcomers, Demon Slayer follows Tanjiro Kamado, a compassionate teen whose life crumbles when demons slaughter his family and transform his sister Nezuko into one of their own. Vowing to become a Demon Slayer—a member of an elite corps wielding sun-powered blades—Tanjiro battles bloodthirsty fiends while protecting Nezuko's lingering humanity. Adapted from Koyoharu Gotouge's manga since 2019, the anime by studio Ufotable blends heart-wrenching drama, fluid swordplay, and jaw-dropping visuals that have hooked millions.
Here's the TLDR...
Infinity Castle opened to $70 million in North America, the biggest anime debut ever, eclipsing Pokémon: The First Movie's 1999 record of $31 million.
Globally, it raked in $132.1 million across 49 markets, pushing its worldwide total past $400 million already.
This trilogy kickoff adapts the manga's climactic Infinity Castle arc, where the Demon Slayers infiltrate demon lord Muzan Kibutsuji's fortress for an all-out war.
Previous Demon Slayer films like Mugen Train (2020) grossed $49.1 million domestically but exploded internationally to over $500 million worldwide.
The success signals anime's rising dominance, with younger audiences driving a September box office rebound after a sluggish summer.
Why 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' Broke Anime Box Office Records
Diving deeper into the triumph, Infinity Castle blasted past expectations. Pre-release buzz had it pegged for $50-60 million domestically, but it soared to $33 million on Friday alone, including $6.4 million from IMAX screens. That's a front-loaded frenzy fueled by die-hard fans, who gave it an "A" CinemaScore and 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. Comscore's Paul Dergarabedian captured the shock: “This performance by this particular film shows the unpredictability of the box office. If we were sitting here, let’s say a month or even a couple of weeks ago, would we be thinking, ‘Wow, a Japanese anime film would be number one at the box office, overperform and bring in $70 million?’ If you predicted that, kudos to you.” He added, “This shows that two months of down trending box office can be totally reversed over the course of a couple of weekends.”
What Is Demon Slayer? A Quick Guide for Newcomers
For those new to the series, Demon Slayer is a cultural juggernaut rooted in Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga. Set in Taisho-era Japan, it follows Tanjiro’s quest to save his demonized sister Nezuko while battling demonic forces led by Muzan Kibutsuji. The anime, streaming on Crunchyroll, combines emotional depth with Ufotable’s stunning animation, making it a gateway for anime newcomers and a must-watch for fans.
How 'Infinity Castle' Stacks Up Against Previous Demon Slayer Films
Looking back at Demon Slayer's cinematic run underscores the franchise's escalating might. The 2020 smash Mugen Train—a direct sequel to season one—opened to $21 million stateside amid pandemic recovery, but its global haul of $507 million made it the highest-grossing anime ever at the time. It chronicled Tanjiro's train-bound clash with a flame-wielding demon, blending emotional stakes with Ufotable's signature kinetic action. Fast-forward to 2023's To the Swordsmith Village, a recap film bridging seasons, which earned $45 million worldwide but skipped a huge U.S. splash. Then came 2024's To the Hashira Training, another compilation prepping the final arcs, netting $11.5 million domestically. None matched Infinity Castle's fury, which triples Mugen Train's U.S. start and cements Demon Slayer as a box office juggernaut.
Comparing 'Infinity Castle' to Other Anime Movie Openings
When stacked against other anime giants, Infinity Castle towers supreme. Pokémon: The First Movie held the U.S. opening crown for 26 years with $31 million, while Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022) peaked at $10.9 million on day one. Even blockbusters like Your Name (2016) or Suzume (2023) didn't crack $20 million stateside. Globally, Mugen Train still leads all anime with $507 million lifetime, but Infinity Castle is on track to challenge it, especially after dominating Japan with over $200 million since July.
What’s Next: The Infinity Castle Trilogy and Beyond
As the first of a trilogy announced in June 2024—right after season four's finale—Infinity Castle plunges into the manga's endgame. Here, Muzan lures the Slayers into his labyrinthine fortress, pitting Tanjiro and the Hashira elite against Upper Rank demons in visceral, multi-front battles. Expect non-stop spectacle: Akaza's brutal return, shifting castle dimensions, and sacrifices that ramp up the tension toward Muzan's downfall. Parts two and three are in production, but timelines suggest waits—potentially 2027 for the next, given Ufotable's meticulous three-year craft per film. This milestone reflects anime's cultural surge, with younger crowds driving Infinity Castle to the sixth-best September opening ever and Sony's 2025 domestic champ.
Infinity Castle's blade-sharp success proves anime isn't niche anymore—it's the new blockbuster king.
Hat Tips:
The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/business/anime-demon-slayer-box-office.html
CNN Business: https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/14/business/demon-slayer-september-box-office
Deadline: https://deadline.com/2025/09/box-office-demon-slayer-infinity-castle-conjuring-long-walk-1236529652/
Wikipedia (for series background and trilogy details): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_Slayer:_Kimetsu_no_Yaiba_%E2%80%93_The_Movie:_Infinity_Castle