ALBAWABA - Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle shatters records.
“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” grossed $33 million on Friday and previews from 3,315 sites, putting anime back on top. That's the largest anime opening day domestic gross in history, surpassing 2022's $10.9 million for “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.” It's also the biggest anime opening weekend ever, surpassing “Pokémon: The First Movie—Mewtwo Strikes Back”'s $31 million record from 1999 (though “Mewtwo Strikes Back” debuted on a Wednesday, playing for two days instead of three).
The first film in a trilogy, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, is showing in both subtitled and dubbed versions and earning more at premium large-format theaters. “Demon Slayer” grossed $6.4 million domestically in IMAX theaters Friday. CinemaScore gave the film an “A,” and early moviegoers love it. However, US grosses are just the latest anime epic success. Including $200 million in Japan, “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” has made over $279 million worldwide. Eight weeks after publication, it remains No. 1. The film is the third-highest-grossing in the nation.
Crunchyroll, Sony's anime distribution arm, is raising North American anime standards. The label released “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train” in 2021, one of the first major theatrical releases after COVID-19 lockdowns. At $20 million, that movie toasted theater owners; Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle may triple that. After “The Conjuring: Last Rites” debuted at $84 million last weekend, the September box office is exceeding industry estimates.
Besides exhibitors, Sony, which had a quiet summer blockbuster season, is pleased. The weekend's outcome rests on Saturday's box office, when excited fans rush to the earliest screenings of anime. Some opponents expect $60 million, while current predictions are $56 million. “Infinity Castle” could surpass “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” ($56.5 million) as Sony's greatest domestic opener in two years.
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While Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is the weekend winner, cinemas are also showing numerous new wide films. “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale,” from Universal's Focus Features, is another attempt to adapt a renowned TV show. Lionsgate is releasing the gloomy Stephen King adaptation “The Long Walk,” while Bleecker Street is releasing “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.”
“Downton Abbey” took third with $8.8 million from 3,694 sites on Friday and previews. The film adaptation of the British period drama is expected to launch to $19.5 million, up from $16 million in May 2022 for “Downton Abbey: A New Era.” Fans loved “The Grand Finale,” which received an “A” on CinemaScore.
Lionsgate hopes to finish fourth with "The Long Walk," which earned $4.76 million on Friday plus preview screenings from 2,845 locations. This existential thriller directed by Francis Lawrence of the “Hunger Games” franchise is expected to launch over $11 million. Although the film is not groundbreaking, it represents a good start given its $20 million production budget. The film has received favorable reviews but a “B” CinemaScore from viewers.
Back in second place, Warner Bros. and New Line's “The Conjuring: Last Rites” grossed $8.4 million on Friday, down 67% from a week earlier. After eight days in theaters, Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson's paranormal dream team's last chapter has made $113 million in North America, making it the 14th-biggest release of the year.
The Disney re-release of “Toy Story” grossed $1.1 million in 2,375 cinemas. The 30th anniversary reissue of Pixar's debut film may round out the top five.
Further down, “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” grossed $820,000 Friday with 1,919 previews. It will be lucky to debut in the top 10. In the Bleecker Street-distributed sequel to “This Is Spinal Tap,” filmmaker Rob Reiner reunites with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer to mock modern rocker farewell tours. Though the target audience enjoyed it with an “A-” CinemaScore, reviews are mostly positive.
