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The weekend of September 12-14, 2025, will be remembered as a landmark moment in box office history. Sony/Crunchyroll’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle didn’t just open it detonated, shattering anime records and dominating the competition with a seismic $60 million debut from 3,315 theaters . Meanwhile, Lionsgate’s Stephen King adaptation The Long Walk stumbled in fourth place with $11 million, and Focus Features’ Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale served a strong $19.5 million as savvy counterprogramming. Here’s a deep dive into the numbers, the drama, and the cultural ripple effects of this unforgettable weekend.
1. ‘Infinity Castle’: A Record-Breaking Juggernaut
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle achieved the impossible: it became the biggest anime opening in North American history, obliterating previous record-holders like Pokémon: The First Movie ($31 million) and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero ($10.9 million Friday). Its $33 million Friday (including $11.4M in previews) set the tone for a weekend that far exceeded projections, ultimately landing at $60 million making it Sony’s biggest opener of 2025, surpassing Bad Boys: Ride or Die ($56.5M) and Venom: The Last Dance ($51M).
Key Factors Behind Its Success:
- Cultural Event Status: Fans treated the film as a must-see moment, with CinemaScore awarding an “A” the highest grade in the Demon Slayer franchise history.
- Premium Formats: A whopping 44% of revenue came from PLF and Imax screens, with venues like Regal Irvine Spectrum nearing $100K in earnings.
- Demographic Diversity: The audience was 37% Hispanic/Latino, 27% Caucasian, 16% Black, and 14% Asian, with a 57% male skew and a staggering 71% aged 18-34.
- Global Dominance: The film has already grossed $350 million overseas, largely from Japan, where it ranks as the third-highest-grossing release of all time.
2. ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Holds Strong in Second
Warner Bros.’ horror finale The Conjuring: Last Rites secured second place with $27 million (-68% from its $84M debut), bringing its domestic total to $131.9 million. Despite the steep drop, it remains the 14th-highest-grossing film of 2025, proving the enduring power of the Conjuring Universe even as it nears its supposed conclusion.
3. ‘Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’ Masters Counterprogramming
In a masterclass of strategic release planning, Focus Features’ Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale debuted to $19.5 million outpacing its predecessor, A New Era ($16M). Its success hinged on appealing to an overlooked demographic:
- 72% female audience
- 56% over age 55
- A CinemaScore of “A”
4. ‘The Long Walk’ Struggles to Keep Pace
Lionsgate’s Stephen King adaptation The Long Walk faced a brutal reality check, opening to $11 million from 2,845 theaters. Despite strong reviews (90% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a lean $20 million budget, it failed to connect with broader audiences.
Why It Stumbled:
- Niche Appeal: The dystopian thriller centered on a deadly walking contest resonated with King loyalists but lacked the hook to attract casual viewers.
- Competitive Crowding: It was overshadowed by Demon Slayer’s frenzy and Downton Abbey’s counter programming appeal.
- Demographic Mismatch: Its audience was 55% Caucasian, 18% Latino/Hispanic, and 17% Black, with a 29% under-25 turnout paling next to Demon Slayer’s 48% youth draw.
5. ‘Spinal Tap II’ Bombs Despite Critical Love
Bleecker Street’s Spinal Tap II: The End Continues became the weekend’s casualty, debuting to a dismal $1.55 million from 1,920 theaters. Despite a star-studded premiere and an “A-” CinemaScore, its appeal was limited to older Gen X fans (74% male, 60% over 45). The original Spinal Tap was a slow-burn cult classic, and this sequel seems destined for the same path relying on future home ancillary revenue.
6. The Bigger Picture: What These Numbers Reveal
- Anime Is Mainstream: Demon Slayer proved anime isn’t a niche genre but a powerhouse capable of outgunning Hollywood tentpoles. Sony’s Crunchyroll leveraged hyper-targeted marketing (spending just $74K on linear TV ads) to mobilize the faithful.
- Horror’s Staying Power: The Conjuring: Last Rites and The Long Walk (despite its modest opening) show horror remains a reliable theatrical draw.
- Counterprogramming Works: Downton Abbey succeeded by serving an audience ignored by Demon Slayer proof that studios should strategically date films for demographic gaps.
- Theatrical Windows Matter: Unlike Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters (which hit #1 in August but lacked lasting impact), traditional releases like Demon Slayer generate sustained buzz.
7. What’s Next for the 2025 Box Office?
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has catapulted into the top 10 films of 2025 domestically, with a $33M total (so far). Its success sets the stage for two sequels, ensuring the franchise’s cultural and commercial reign will continue. Meanwhile, The Long Walk may find longevity via word-of-mouth or streaming Lionsgate only spent $20 million on production, minimizing risk.
The overall weekend gross of $147 million (+57% year-over-year) signals a healthy autumn recovery for theaters. As studios look ahead, the lesson is clear: audience specificity beats broad blandness every time.
Conclusion: A Weekend of Winners and Lessons
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle didn’t just break records it redefined them. Its triumph, alongside Downton Abbey’s savvy play and The Long Walk’s stumble, offers a masterclass in modern distribution. In an era of fragmented audiences, knowing your niche and catering to it relentlessly is the key to box office glory.