Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Shatters Records at U.S. Box Office, Heads for Historic $65 Million Opening

Japanese anime phenomenon dominates North America, outpacing all projections and leaving Hollywood releases trailing

The North American box office is witnessing a September surprise like never before. The highly anticipated Japanese anime sequel Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle has taken the region by storm, setting new records and rewriting expectations for the anime genre.

Distributed by Sony’s Crunchyroll, the film stormed into theaters on Friday with a staggering $33 million opening day, including $11.4 million from Thursday previews. This puts the movie on track for a phenomenal weekend haul of $56 million to $65 million—a milestone that will make it the biggest anime debut ever at the U.S. box office.

What’s even more impressive is how Infinity Castle outperformed tracking estimates, which had predicted a $35 million–$40 million launch. Some optimistic forecasts suggested $50 million, but the film has surpassed even that after being embraced enthusiastically by fans and critics alike.

This latest installment marks the first feature in a three-part cinematic trilogy that adapts the final battle arc of Koyoharu Gotouge’s best-selling manga. Directed by Haruo Sotozaki and animated by the renowned studio Ufotable, the film unites the original voice cast—Natsuki Hanae (Tanjiro), Akari Kitō (Nezuko), Hiro Shimono (Zenitsu), and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Inosuke)—as the Demon Slayer Corps launches a climactic assault against the fearsome demon king, Muzan Kibutsuji.

The success isn’t just domestic. In Japan, where Infinity Castle released in July, it has already achieved record-breaking numbers, bringing its global earnings to nearly $280 million. The film has also posted historic results on IMAX screens in both Japan and North America, with a wider rollout planned across 40 territories worldwide through Toho, Aniplex, and Crunchyroll.

Meanwhile, other Hollywood releases are being pushed down the charts. Warner Bros. and New Line’s The Conjuring: Last Rites, which opened strong last week, is expected to slip into second place with $26–$27 million. Close behind is Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, bowing with an impressive $19 million, buoyed by glowing reviews and fan nostalgia.

Lionsgate’s The Long Walk, an adaptation of Stephen King’s dystopian tale, is tracking a fourth-place finish with $11–$12 million. Meanwhile, Disney’s 30th anniversary re-release of Toy Story is charming audiences once again, rounding out the top five with a solid $3.2–$3.8 million.

Even cult classics are finding space this weekend, as Rob Reiner’s sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues earns a respectable $1.7–$2 million in its debut.

For now, though, all eyes are on Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, whose fiery debut has proven that anime is no longer a niche category at the global box office but a powerhouse capable of dethroning Hollywood heavyweights.