Asian Blockbusters Redefine Global Box Office: Demon Slayer's Meteoric Rise

An analysis of recent cinematic achievements reveals a significant milestone in film history. Asian productions have made formidable strides, showcasing their capacity to drive impressive performances both domestically and on the global stage, capturing the attention of audiences far and wide.

The cinematic installment in the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba series, titled Infinity Castle, offers a fresh chapter in the saga has risen past a major superhero film from a longstanding franchise to secure the position as the seventh highest-grossing film of this year worldwide. This achievement highlights the industry's recognition that two of this year’s blockbuster hits originate from Asia. One of these productions, Ne Zha 2, has generated such substantial earnings in its home market that it could, in principle, support an entire small nation’s economy, while the other, Demon Slayer, has become a worldwide sensation embraced by fans globally.

Initially released on 12 September in most regions—with Japan witnessing its premiere much earlier amid record-breaking audience numbers for an anime release—Demon Slayer quickly ascended the international box office charts. This ascent was marked by its recent overtaking of a well-known superhero film during the past weekend, even as another major release, Brad Pitt's F1, remains only a modest sum behind.

The film, a collaborative effort by Aniplex and Toho Animation, now faces the daunting challenge of breaching the top three positions on the global leaderboard. At present, the 2025 rankings are firmly occupied by Ne Zha 2, Lilo and Stitch, and A Minecraft Movie, each having exceeded $900 million in box office returns, according to recent data from Koimoi.

Here’s a brief summary covering several of the… standout performers among the global top grossers this year:

• Ne Zha 2
• Lilo and Stitch
• A Minecraft Movie

Considering these impressive figures, how do you view the recent success of Guardians of the Night: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinite Fortress?