Anime continues its Hollywood takeover with the record-breaking success of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle, which recently became the highest-grossing international film ever in the U.S. after its stateside theatrical debut on September 12, 2025, via Sony’s Crunchyroll.

This historic milestone surpasses the previous record-holder, 2000’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which earned $128.5 million domestically. Infinity Castle has already earned $128.6 million and counting, solidifying its position as the most successful international anime release in U.S. history.

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Record-Breaking Achievements

The Haruo Sotozaki-directed sequel also achieved several other milestones:

• Highest-grossing anime film in North America, surpassing classics like Your Name, Spirited Away, and Suzume.
• Biggest U.S. opening weekend for an anime film with an estimated $70 million, eclipsing 1999’s Pokémon: The First Movie.
• Fifth-highest-grossing film globally in 2025, trailing only Ne Zha 2, Lilo & Stitch (live-action), A Minecraft Movie, and Jurassic World Rebirth.

In Japan, Infinity Castle also set records, becoming the fastest film to earn over 10 billion yen, surpassing the previous benchmark set by its 2020 predecessor, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, achieving the feat in just eight days following its July 18 release.

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About the Film

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle continues the story from the hit TV anime series, which spans four seasons and adapts Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The movie follows the continuing adventures of Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke, as they battle formidable foes in a climactic showdown within the ominous Infinity Castle.

The film features an English dub with voice talents including Channing Tatum, Zach Aguilar, Abby Trott, and Rebecca Wang, bringing the action-packed anime to a broader international audience.

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Global Impact of Demon Slayer

Demon Slayer’s unprecedented success highlights the growing appetite for international animated films in U.S. theaters. Following hits like Ne Zha 2, Infinity Castle proves that Japanese anime can not only dominate streaming platforms but also compete with Hollywood blockbusters in traditional box office metrics.

The movie’s record-breaking run in both Japan and the U.S. demonstrates the worldwide appeal of anime, particularly adaptations of bestselling manga series, and underscores the cultural influence of the medium.

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Where to Watch

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle is currently in theaters across the U.S., giving fans the opportunity to witness the breathtaking animation, intense battles, and emotional storytelling that have made the franchise a global phenomenon.