Sony Corp.’s Crunchyroll division scored a major victory at North American theaters with “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle,” which earned $70 million in its opening weekend, according to industry tracking firm Comscore.
The three-day haul demolished the previous anime opening record of $31 million set by Warner Bros.’ “Pokémon: The First Movie” in 1999, marking a breakthrough moment for Japanese animated films in the U.S. market. The performance represents Sony’s largest domestic opening in more than two years, providing a much-needed boost after a relatively quiet summer season.
The film has already generated over $300 million globally, including more than $200 million in its home market of Japan, where it ranks as one of the highest-grossing releases of the year. Industry analysts note that “Infinity Castle” is the first installment in a planned trilogy, potentially setting up additional revenue streams for the entertainment giant.
Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore characterized the result as “a surprise hit,” noting that few industry observers anticipated such robust demand. The film benefited from both subtitled and dubbed versions, plus premium large-format screenings that command higher ticket prices.
Anime movies typically experience front-loaded box office patterns, with devoted fans purchasing tickets well in advance, suggesting the opening weekend surge may represent the majority of the film’s domestic theatrical run.
