‘Demon Slayer’ Sets New Record as Highest-Grossing Anime Film Ever
Anime fans have reason to celebrate as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle continues to dominate the box office.
Over the past weekend, it outperformed Jordan Peele’s Him, claiming the top spot once again. After a record-breaking $70 million U.S. opening last weekend, the anime film is projected to earn around $17.3 million this weekend. While this marks a 77 percent drop, it’s enough to keep the film ahead of Him, which is expected to make $13.5 million, slightly below previous estimates.
The film, produced by Sony-owned Crunchyroll, has already become a worldwide sensation. With over $555 million in global earnings, it now holds the title of the highest-grossing anime film ever.
Infinity Castle adapts the “Infinity Castle” arc from Koyoharu Gotouge’s 2016–2020 Demon Slayer manga series and serves as a direct continuation of the anime’s fourth season. Unlike previous adaptations, this film is feature-length, allowing for more dramatic storytelling and action, similar to the 2020 hit Mugen Train.
Officially titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns, it premiered in Japan on July 18, through Aniplex and Toho. Crunchyroll released the film in select Asian countries in August before expanding to global audiences the following month.
The film broke multiple records, becoming the highest-grossing Japanese film worldwide, the top film of 2025 in Japan, and the second-highest-grossing film in the country’s history. Critics praised its stunning visuals, thrilling fight sequences, and engaging story, though some noted that the pacing could be uneven at times.
#NEWS @Crunchyroll is bringing Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle to theatres in 2025! pic.twitter.com/sIUJACg3GO
— Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (English) (@DemonSlayerUSA) December 8, 2024
Infinity Castle is directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by Ufotable, with the studio’s team contributing to the screenplay. It marks the first entry in a new trilogy, announced in June 2024, following the anime’s fourth-season finale. Fans can expect the story to continue across multiple feature-length films.
In my opinion, the success of Infinity Castle proves the global appeal of anime films when given high-quality production and faithful storytelling. Its record-breaking numbers are a testament to the dedication of the Demon Slayer fanbase and the growing influence of Japanese animation worldwide. What do you think about Demon Slayer becoming the highest-grossing anime film ever? Share your thoughts in the comments.
