Sony/Crunchyroll’s (NYSE:SONY) Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle stormed into theaters this weekend with a massive $70 million opening across 3,315 locations in the United States and Canada, marking the biggest anime debut in box office history, according to studio estimates compiled by Comscore.
With a per-theater average of $21,116, the film also notched a $132.1 million global weekend as it expanded across North America and 49 international markets, pushing its worldwide total to $177.8 million. The feature is the first installment in a three-part trilogy adapting the finale of the hit manga and anime series from studio Ufotable.
Warner Bros.’ (NASDAQ:WBD) The Conjuring: Last Rites held strong in second place, adding $26.1 million in its sophomore frame for a domestic total of $131.1 million. Focus Features’ Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale opened in third with $18.1 million, boosted by an additional $12.3 million overseas for a $30.4 million global debut.
Lionsgate’s (NYSE:LION) The Long Walk, adapted from Stephen King’s earliest novel, launched in fourth with $11.5 million, while Disney’s (NYSE:DIS) Toy Story 30th Anniversary re-release rounded out the top five with $3.5 million.
Other notable new entries included Bleecker Street’s Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, which earned $1.67 million for ninth place, and Fathom Events’ (NYSE:AMC) (NYSE:CNK) The Sound of Music 60th Anniversary restoration, which debuted in 10th with $1.49 million.
Overall, the top 10 films combined for $139.4 million in weekend grosses, according to Comscore.
Top 10 Movies – Weekend of Sept. 12–14, North America
-
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle (Sony/Crunchyroll) — $70,000,000
-
The Conjuring: Last Rites (Warner Bros.) — $26,100,000
-
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (Focus Features) — $18,100,000
-
The Long Walk (Lionsgate) — $11,500,000
-
Toy Story (30th Anniversary) (Disney) — $3,500,000
-
Weapons (Warner Bros.) — $2,725,000
-
Hamilton (Disney) — $2,200,000
-
Freaker Friday (Disney) — $2,100,000
-
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (Bleecker Street) — $1,674,926
-
The Sound of Music 60th Anniversary (Fathom) — $1,486,231
Source: Comscore