Demon Slayer breaks box office records in North America
- Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle topped the North American box office for the second consecutive weekend, earning $17.3 million.
- The film received high praise from audiences and critics, particularly appealing to younger viewers.
- Its performance indicates a potential shift in the perception of anime films in the mainstream movie industry.
In September 2025, 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' emerged as a significant success in North America's box office. The film is particularly notable for surpassing previous records set by classic anime films, becoming the highest-earning anime movie domestically. This achievement has drawn significant attention to the potential of Japanese animation in drawing large audiences to theaters. The movie received critical acclaim, boasting a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a powerful reception among both fans and critics alike. The sustained interest from younger audiences, specifically Gen Z and Gen Alpha, has greatly contributed to its box office performance, which included significant receipts of $17.3 million during its second weekend of release. While the film did experience a 76% drop from its opening weekend earnings, it still managed to maintain its status at the top of the box office rankings, reflecting its strong hold on viewers. The success of 'Infinity Castle' has led many industry experts to speculate on the future of anime films in the North American market. It suggests a trend that could provide filmmaking studios with a new category of content appealing to a wider demographic. Such successes may indicate a shift in how animated films are perceived in a market historically dominated by live-action features. Therefore, the reaction from Hollywood insiders has been cautiously optimistic, seeing the potential for increased investment and production efforts in the genre.