The global rise of anime has reached a new pinnacle with the historic success of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle. The first film in the planned trilogy has shattered long-standing records, becoming a defining cultural and box office phenomenon across the world.
As of this weekend, Infinity Castle has grossed an estimated $128.6 million in North American theatres. This milestone makes it the highest-grossing non-English international film of all time in the U.S., surpassing the 25-year-old record held by Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), which earned $128.1 million.
This achievement cements Demon Slayer as a groundbreaking force in global cinema, marking a new era of mainstream recognition for anime in the West.
Global Box Office Dominance
Worldwide, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has amassed approximately $648 million as of October 12, according to Box Office Mojo and The Hollywood Reporter. That performance secures it the #5 spot among the highest-grossing films of 2025, surpassing major Hollywood releases such as How to Train Your Dragon ($635.7 million).
A Landmark for Anime in the U.S.
The film’s run in the U.S. has been nothing short of historic. It is:
- The first anime film ever to cross the $100 million mark domestically.
- The first anime feature to top the U.S. box office for two consecutive weekends.
- The holder of the biggest opening weekend for an anime film in U.S. history, with a staggering $70.6 million debut.
That opening shattered not only modern records but also historical ones — even when adjusted for inflation — surpassing Pokémon: The First Movie (1999), which opened to $31 million.
The extraordinary performance of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle highlights how anime has evolved from a niche fandom into a mainstream cultural powerhouse. With the remaining two films in the trilogy still on the horizon, the series’ box office journey is far from over — and its impact on the global entertainment industry may only be beginning.
