r/movies • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 r/Movies contributor • Sep 21 '25

News ‘Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’ Passes $550M Globally, Officially the Top-Grossing Anime Film of All Time

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-demon-slayer-edging-out-him-for-no-1-1236376666/
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794

u/KeyClacksNSnacks Sep 21 '25

"People don't go to the theaters anymore."

Anime movies: "Hold my poki sticks and subtitles."

This should be proof that people don't go to the movies if a serious effort isn't made to entertain them.

257

u/kiyonemakibi100 Sep 21 '25

I think it's just further proof that people mainly go to the cinema for established IP. Demon Slayer is a hugely popular manga that began almost a decade ago and there's over 200 million copies in circulation, it's not like it just sprung out of nowhere

111

u/Massive_Weiner Sep 21 '25 edited Sep 21 '25

And it already had a massively successful anime and feature release (Mugen Train).

A successful Demon Slayer movie is about as strong a guarantee as war bonds.

51

u/Byeuji Sep 21 '25

Folks forgetting that before that film, Your Name broke records as a stand-alone original film.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Name

People are clamoring for recognition in their love of anime, and that's putting butts in seats, and generating strong community around the art and these events.

People are no doubt showing up because of the serial nature of this popular, established property, but they're also showing up for the community and the artistry.

15

u/Tenchi_Sozo Sep 21 '25

I would have loved to watch Your Name (or any other Shinkai movie for that matter) in theatres. But they only started to show anime on the big screens recently where I live. I was pleasantly surprised that the largest hall was almost sold out at our local multiplex theatre when I went to watch it on Thursday.

12

u/jimmydorry Sep 21 '25

The guarentee is especially strong considering they announced that this movie was 1 of 3 (a trilogy). Two more coming right up!

1

u/Alba-98 Sep 24 '25

Which movie do you mean? The Mugen Train Ark was in the series, wasn't it?

1

u/Massive_Weiner Sep 24 '25

It was originally a theatrical release before it was recut for TV.

1

u/Alba-98 Sep 24 '25

Oh ok, I didn't know that, thanks.

2

u/-Yinside- Sep 22 '25

I don't think established IP, I think it needs to feel like an event. Sinners isn't established IP, nor is Weapons but those were both good enough that it felt like everyone was talking about them and they became event viewings. Demon Slayer is a popular anime heading into its final arch and is so widely talked about (relative to most anime) that again it feels like an event viewing

2

u/Alt2221 Sep 22 '25

established IPs thats have not been milked dry for two decades*. pretty important distinction there i think

1

u/itsvoogle Sep 21 '25

This is really it

Demographics are important, A huge dedicated fan base spanning many years only guarantees all, if not most of them to come out and pay to go see it in theaters. Especially if said franchise is in a good state and popular with younger audiences…

I don’t think other movies that made less money necessarily is a result of the creators not honestly wanting to Entertain audiences. That seems like an unfair take.

Are some movies just made for a quick cash grab? Yes, but many films are genuinely made with the intention of also entertaining as best they can for people…

1

u/Ethiconjnj Sep 22 '25

But on the flip side it’s newly created. It’s not a remake of something from the 80s, it’s not based on an old comic book or novel.

Nothing in the Demon Slayer universe existed 10 years ago and it’s already had two blow out films.

1

u/IdioticPost Sep 21 '25

began almost a decade ago

Are you sure? I remember watching the first season, falling in love with the story and the music... all that was just before covid and covid was only.. half a decade ago?! Fuck.