Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures will open the anime film “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” this weekend and projections are all over the map, but one thing is clear – it’s going to break a record.
The film, the first in a planned trilogy ending the “Demon Slayer” franchise, is estimated to pull in at least $35 million domestically this weekend according to the studio.
However, rival sources and third parties are indicating that number could go much higher – anywhere from $45-60 million with some suggesting as high as $70 million. The film also has Imax and PLF showtimes which will boost its numbers.
Either way, the film is on track to overtake the $31 million debut of 1999’s “Pokemon: The First Movie” as the highest opening ever for an anime film Stateside.
The difficulty in locking in an estimate lies in the nature of anime moviegoers. Attendees to these films often buy in advance and go as early as possible, with very little ‘walk-up’ business.
Thus, its Thursday night previews and Friday numbers will be huge, but by Saturday night and Sunday, business will likely drop off and the film will plummet in its second weekend. The film has already grossed $273 million in worldwide box-office thus far.
It’ll come in ahead of “The Conjuring: Last Rites” which is expected to fall around 65% to a second weekend of $29 million. “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” is projected to open in third with around $15-20 million, followed by the R-rated Stephen King adaptation “The Long Walk” at just over $10 million and both “This Is Spinal Tap” and the “Toy Story” 30th anniversary re-release in low-mid single digits.
Source: Deadline
