A Historic Box Office Weekend

This past weekend, *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – Infinity Castle* obliterated box office expectations, debuting at a staggering $70 million in North America. This achievement not only secured the film the number one spot but also marked the largest opening ever for an anime film, outperforming the legendary *Pokemon: The First Movie*, which debuted at $31 million back in 1999.

Global Phenomenon: The Numbers Keep Climbing

With a jaw-dropping $132.1 million from opening weekend worldwide, *Infinity Castle* has set the record for the biggest anime opening globally. Crunchyroll and Sony's strategic release across North America and 49 international markets has propelled the worldwide total to an impressive $177.8 million.

The Unpredictable Box Office—A Game Changer!

Paul Dergarabedian from Comscore noted, "This performance is a testament to the unpredictability of the box office. Just weeks ago, who would have guessed that a Japanese anime film could rush to the top, raking in $70 million? If you predicted this, hats off to you!" This film exemplifies how rapidly the tides can turn in the cinematic landscape.

The Epic Tale Unfolds

In the first installment of a thrilling trilogy, the story follows Tanjiro Kamado, a compassionate boy turned fearless swordsman after his family is slaughtered and his sister, Nezuko, is transformed into a demon. Together, they battle heart-stopping foes in a quest to reclaim their lost humanity amidst a supernatural clash.

A Resurgence for the Movie Industry?

*Infinity Castle* isn’t just setting records; it's revitalizing the box office after a sluggish August. Following its lead, horror sequel *The Conjuring: Last Rites* slipped to second place with $26 million, bringing its domestic total to $131 million.

Stars of the Box Office

Focus Features’ *Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale* opened at third with $18.1 million, diving into a scandal for the aristocratic Crawley family in the 1930s. Lionsgate's thriller *The Long Walk* premiered fourth with $11.5 million, while Pixar's beloved *Toy Story* celebrated its 30th anniversary, earning $3.5 million.

September's Bright Outlook

Dergarabedian predicts a vibrant September ahead with anticipated releases like Jordan Peele's new horror flick and Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film. "September, following a lackluster August, is proving to be a phenomenal comeback month for cinemas and audiences alike," he stated.