This weekend’s box office saw an explosive anime debut, as Aniplex’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle sliced its way to a towering $70 million opening. Elsewhere, horror holdover The Conjuring: Last Rites continued to scare up big returns in its sophomore frame, while newcomers Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale and Stephen King’s The Long Walk found their own audiences. Rounding out the top five was Disney’s re-release of Toy Story, still charming audiences nearly three decades later.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Dominates with Huge Opening
The latest feature installment of the blockbuster anime franchise, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle, stormed into theaters with a surprisingly massive $70 million debut. The film not only topped the weekend with ease but also set a new benchmark for anime releases in North America. With rave word-of-mouth from fans and premium-format screenings driving sales, Infinity Castle took many by surprise with its box office performance. Its performance reaffirms the growing box office power of anime in the global market.
The Conjuring: Last Rites Holds Strong
After a franchise-best debut last weekend, Warner Bros.’ The Conjuring: Last Rites pulled in another $26.1 million in its second week. That brings its domestic haul to a sturdy two-week total, cementing its place as one of the horror series’ strongest performers to date. While the drop from opening weekend was expected, its hold suggests that there’s still interest in the franchise heading into Fall.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Charms Fans
Focus Features’ Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale debuted with $18.1 million, right in line with my prediction. The period drama drew a loyal audience of longtime fans, many turning out for what has been billed as the series’ swan song. While unlikely to expand far beyond its core demographic, the opening demonstrates the staying power of the Crawley family on the big screen.
The Long Walk Steps Into Fourth
Lionsgate’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Long Walk claimed fourth place with $11.5 million. Positioned as a dark and adult-skewing thriller, the film benefited from strong recognition in Stephen King but faces the challenge of sustaining momentum beyond its opening. If word-of-mouth is favourable, it could find a steady path over the coming weeks.
Toy Story Re-Release Plays to Nostalgia
Disney’s re-release of Toy Story rounded out the top five with $3.5 million. Nearly thirty years after its groundbreaking debut, the Pixar classic still drew families and nostalgic moviegoers alike. While modest compared to the newer releases, the performance underscores the enduring appeal of Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the toy chest gang.
Next Weekend’s Preview
Two wide releases arrive next weekend, looking to carve out space against Demon Slayer’s commanding run.
Universal’s thriller HIM is tracking in the $15–20 million range and I expect it to debut around $16 million. While it likely will place in second or third; it’ll still make a decent return at the box office.
Meanwhile, Sony’s inspirational drama A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is projected to land between $10–15 million, I think it’ll likely land with a $15 million debut. While smaller in scale, the film could resonate with adult audiences seeking an alternative to the horror- and anime-driven slate.
Whether either newcomer can dent Infinity Castle’s momentum remains the big question heading into next weekend.
As always, we’ll find out next week.
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