September has turned into a thrilling month at the box office, and leading the charge is the sensational U.S. debut of the anime sequel 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – the Movie Infinity Castle.' This blockbuster is a testament to the immense popularity of the franchise, now managed by Sony-owned Crunchyroll.

With an astounding $33 million earned on its opening Friday—$11.4 million from previews alone—the film is poised to break records, targeting an incredible opening weekend total between $56 million and $65 million. While Sony is cautiously projecting the lower estimate, initial tracking suggested a debut of $35 million to $40 million, with optimistic forecasts hinting at $50 million.

Infinity Castle marks the first film in a thrilling three-part cinematic trilogy that culminates the epic journey of the beloved anime series from the renowned animation studio Ufotable. Having already set records in Japan upon its July release, the film's global revenue is rapidly approaching $280 million.

Directed by Haruo Sotozaki, the film adapts the final arc of Koyoharu Gotouge’s acclaimed manga series. Fans will be thrilled to hear their favorite voice actors, including Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kitō, Hiro Shimono, and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, returning as the heroic Demon Slayer Corps faces off against the formidable demon king, Muzan Kibutsuji. With its international distribution spearheaded by Toho, Aniplex, and Crunchyroll, an Imax release is also slated in over 40 territories worldwide.

Infinity Castle has shattered records for Imax viewings in Japan as well as North America, underscoring its monumental success.

In its second weekend, Warner Bros. and New Line’s 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' is slipping to second place, contending with 'Demon Slayer' for the attention of younger audiences. Box office estimates show this horror flick earning between $26 million and $27 million.

Meanwhile, the final film adaptation of the cherished British series, 'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale,' is projected to debut third with over $19 million, buoyed by enthusiastic reviews from fans.

Lionsgate's dystopian thriller 'The Long Walk,' based on a Stephen King novel, is anticipated to secure fourth place with earnings of $11 million to $12 million, maintaining a respectable B+ CinemaScore, while 'Demon Slayer' and 'Grand Finale' boast impressive A ratings.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Pixar’s classic 'Toy Story,' Disney has re-released the iconic film, expected to round out the top five with a strong $3.2 million to $3.8 million this weekend.