On this week’s Anime Plus, we talked about how Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle turned opening weekend into a statement. The movie didn’t just win the weekend. It set a new record for anime in the United States and kept the momentum rolling into week two.
The headline stat is simple. Infinity Castle opened to about $70.6 million domestic, the biggest U.S. opening ever for an anime film. That figure put it ahead of past leaders and signaled real mainstream pull for a franchise film with day-and-date energy across fandom.
Week two confirmed it wasn’t a fluke. The film held the top spot again and crossed $100 million in North America, making it the biggest anime release ever in the U.S. cumulatively. That’s rare air for a subtitled or hybrid release and a clear sign that anime event films can anchor a box office frame on their own.
Globally, the ceiling keeps moving. Infinity Castle has passed the $550 million mark and is pacing to become the highest-grossing Japanese film worldwide, topping earlier Demon Slayer milestones and recent award winners. Add in its record start in Japan and you have a franchise that is redefining what an anime theatrical run can look like.
Theaters are also the only place to see it for a while. Crunchyroll says streaming is unlikely until 2026, which keeps the focus on the big-screen run and preserves the sense of an in-theaters-only event. For a series known for crowd energy and big swings, that fits.
This is a proof point for anime’s staying power at the box office. Strong openings used to be the ceiling. Infinity Castle shows staying power, repeat business, and a pathway for other franchises to treat films like true tentpoles, not just fan extras. And if you’ve been following along with us on Anime Plus, you know this rise has been building for years through better theatrical distribution, audience growth, and appointment releases that feel like can’t-miss weekends.
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