The anime is back at the top of the box office, with Demon Slayer: Yaiba Infinity Castle making $33 million on Friday and getting preview screenings from 3,315 locations. This is the largest domestic gross domestic product for the animated film, crushing the past $10.9 million high mark set in 2022 by Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. Not only that, it is also the biggest weekend for anime, surpassing the $3.1 million record since “Pokemon: The First Movie – Since 1999, the first movie since “Meewtwo Strikes” returned.” (before the traditional 3-day frame).
“Infinity Castle” is the first article intended to be a series capping trilogy for properties, played in both subtitle and dubbed versions, making money by playing premium large theatres. “Demon Slayer” took place in the country for $6.4 million on Friday at IMAX Theatre alone. The film is positive for the film, with research firm Cinemascore voting for the robust “A” grade, and early viewers adore it. But Stateside Gross is just the latest success of animated epics. “Infinity Castle” has already won more than $279 million worldwide, including more than $200 million in Japan. It is ranked there as the number one release eight weeks after its release. This is the third highest growing release ever.
Sony’s anime distribution banner Crunchyroll sets a new ceiling for North American anime. In 2021, the label offered one of the industry’s first substantial theatrical performances after a joint lockdown with “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Movie: Mugentrain”. The film was toast for the theater owner with a $20 million opening. This could triple the Infinity Castle. After “The Conjuring: Last Rites” surpassed its initial forecast last weekend with its $84 million debut, the box office in September has far surpassed the industry’s modest expectations.
But beyond exhibitors, it’s a welcome result for Sony itself, just finishing its quiet summer hit season. The anime tends to be frontloaded at the box office as loyal fans flock to as early screenings as possible. (Current estimates are $56 million, but some rivals forecast $60 million north.) Infinity Castle can even beat Bad Boys: Ride or Die ($56.5 million).
“Infinity Castle” is a weekend winner, but the theatre is also welcoming several other new wide releases. There’s Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. This is another play that puts your beloved TV properties on the big screen. In addition to that, Lionsgate debuts the tough Stephen King adaptation, “Long Walk,” while Bleeker Street continues with the comedy legacy sequel, “Spinal Tap II: The End.”
“Downton Abbey” has a third-place advantage, winning $8.8 million from 3,694 sites on Friday, earning preview screening. The big screen continuation of the British Era series predicts $19.5 million for the opening from the previous entry, Downton Abbey: A New Era, which debuted at $16 million in May 2022.
Meanwhile, Lions Gate pours the fourth-place bow on the “Long Walk.” This paced preview screenings from $4.76 million and 2,845 locations on Friday. The projection is for the $11 million North opening of the existential thriller, directed by “The Hunger Games” franchise steward Francis Lawrence. It’s not a breakout, but it’s a major start to the $20 million lean production budget. Movie fans are more mixed and have gone on to the “B” grade of Cinemascore, but the reviews were very positive.
Returning to second place Warner Bros. and Newline’s “The Conjuring: Last Rites” put in another $8.4 million on Friday, down 67% from their daily total a week ago. The expected final chapter of Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson’s Paranormal Dream Team ranks as the 14th largest release in theaters just eight days later, earning $113 million in North America.
Disney’s “Toy Story” re-release reached $1.1 million in 2,375 theaters. A 30th anniversary reissue of Pixar’s first feature appears to close out the top five.
Additionally, “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” won around $820,000 on Friday, winning previews at 1,919 locations. It’s good fortune to debut in the top 10. The sequel to Bleecker Street-Distributed to the 184 rock dock parody This Is Spinal Tap reunites Rob Reiner, director of the odd man Christopher guest Michael McKeane and Harry Shearer, for a follow-up to send out the modern era of the Rocker Farewell tour. The target audience had a great time at Cinemascore with the “A-” grade, but the reviews became positive.
