Demon Slayer’s Record-Breaking Debut
“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” took the box office by storm, earning an incredible $70 million in its opening weekend. This marks the largest opening for an anime film, surpassing the previous record held by “Pokémon: The First Movie,” which debuted at $31 million in 1999.
The film, part of a trilogy, is available in both subtitled and dubbed versions. Notably, it’s showing in premium formats like IMAX, which often leads to higher ticket prices. So far, “Infinity Castle” has grossed over $300 million globally, pulling in more than $200 million in Japan alone, making it the third-highest-grossing film in the country’s history.
Sony’s Crunchyroll distributed the film just after a quieter summer, bringing a big win after moderate performances from other titles like “Caught Stealing.” This film also became Sony’s biggest domestic opener in over two years, surpassing “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” which earned $56.5 million.
In contrast, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” slipped to second place, dropping 69% to earn $26.1 million. Its domestic total now stands at $131.1 million.
Both “Infinity Castle” and “Last Rites” broke expectations, revitalizing a September box office that many anticipated would be sluggish. This shift hints at a promising fall after a lackluster summer. Moviegoers have also shown a preference for unique films, as evidenced by sleeper hits like “Weapons.”
Adding to this trend, Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” which became a box office hit last month, shows the ongoing allure of animated films. Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst at ComScore, noted, “Put ‘demon’ in your title and you’re good to go.” Animated films tend to captivate audiences globally, making them a smart bet for theaters.
Another notable release is “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale,” which earned $18.1 million. This film, aimed at fans of the franchise, drew primarily female audiences (72%) and attracted many age 55 and older (57%).
Meanwhile, Lionsgate’s “The Long Walk” came in fourth place, with $11.5 million. Despite a modest opening, its production cost was only $20 million, reducing financial risk. Lionsgate has faced challenges recently, but upcoming films like “The Housemaid” could turn things around.
Disney’s re-release of “Toy Story” earned $3.5 million, rounding out the top five. On the independent scene, Mubi’s “The History of Sound” debuted in four theaters, generating a notable per-screen average.
The triumphant release of “Infinity Castle” has contributed to one of the most successful September weekends ever, with an estimated total of around $145 million for all films, marking a 50% increase from last year.
In Dergarabedian’s words, “September is becoming a month to remember at the box office,” a welcome change after a disappointing summer. Events like this highlight a shift in what moviegoers are seeking, paving the way for future cinematic successes.
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Box Office,Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle,The Long Walk
