“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle” opened to an estimated $70 million in the U.S. and Canada this weekend, setting a new record for the biggest anime debut on domestic turf and ranking as the year’s top animated opening so far. The franchise entry, released by Sony’s Crunchyroll label, began its rollout on September 12 and easily led the weekend market.
Industry tallies show a $33 million Friday (including $11.4 million in Thursday previews), followed by roughly $21.6 million on Saturday and $15.4 million on Sunday. Premium formats were a key driver: IMAX accounted for about $13 million of the North American take, part of $20 million worldwide on the format. Early estimates peg the global weekend at roughly $132 million, lifting the series’ cumulative worldwide gross well past the $300 million mark.
The opening more than doubles the longstanding U.S. anime benchmark set in 1999, when “Pokémon: The First Movie” launched with $31 million. It also surpasses domestic debuts for recent Japanese hits in theaters, including “Mugen Train” and “Jujutsu Kaisen 0,” both of which proved that event-style releases can mobilize fans beyond traditional anime circles.
Momentum has been building overseas for weeks. In Japan, where “Infinity Castle” started its run in July, the film has already cleared $200 million, with strong holds across multiple frames and continued IMAX play supporting repeat attendance. Several Asian markets have notched standout results as the title expands, contributing to a sizable international base ahead of North America’s launch.
The performance reflects a strategy honed on prior Crunchyroll releases: concentrated showtimes, premium large-format saturation, and fan-forward marketing, including an L.A. premiere livestream. The weekend also saw “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” open behind “Demon Slayer,” underscoring how a targeted anime event can command mainstream foot traffic even against established live-action brands.
