After two back-to-back weekends of surprising overperformances, the North American box office experienced a sharp decline this past weekend. Ticket sales dropped nearly 50% compared to the previous week, signaling a slowdown after the momentum created by The Conjuring: Last Rites and the anime phenomenon Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle.
Despite the overall slump, Demon Slayer proved unstoppable, holding onto the No. 1 spot at the box office. According to estimates, the anime blockbuster added $17.3 million, pushing its total domestic earnings to $104.7 million. This milestone officially makes it the highest-grossing anime film in North America’s history, surpassing previous records and reaffirming the global strength of Japanese animation.
A Strong Hold for Demon Slayer
Released by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle has been a massive force at the box office. Its performance isn’t just impressive compared to other anime films; it’s a standout when measured against all genres in the fall movie season.
The film’s continued success highlights the ever-growing international popularity of anime. Once considered niche outside of Japan, anime films have become mainstream events for audiences worldwide. With Infinity Castle, the franchise has proven its staying power, following the immense success of Mugen Train in 2020.
The Debut of Him
Landing in second place was the football horror film Him, which grossed an estimated $13.5 million across more than 3,100 theaters in North America. Produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and directed by Justin Tipping, the movie tells the story of a promising young quarterback (Tyriq Withers) invited to an isolated training camp by a veteran player (Marlon Wayans).
However, despite a strong concept blending sports and horror, the film failed to connect with critics or audiences. It currently holds a low 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and viewers graded it a C- CinemaScore, signaling weak word of mouth. Many critics noted that while the premise carried promise, the execution fell short, making the film feel overly drawn out rather than suspenseful. Internationally, Him added only $400,000, making its debut a disappointment compared to expectations.
The Conjuring: Last Rites Stays Strong
Another horror film, The Conjuring: Last Rites, continues to show remarkable legs at the box office. In its third weekend, the film earned an estimated $13 million, nearly tying with Him for second place. With a global total of $400 million, it is now the highest-grossing film in the Conjuring universe, cementing the horror franchise as one of the most financially reliable in Hollywood.
Horror has been on a hot streak this year. According to industry data, the genre has already earned $1.1 billion domestically, putting it on track to surpass the 2017 record set by films like It and Get Out. This momentum showcases how horror continues to be one of the most profitable genres, consistently drawing audiences even in slow box office periods.
Other New and Returning Releases
Not every release managed to make an impact. Sony’s A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, a romantic drama starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell, disappointed with just $3.5 million from 3,300 locations. Reviews were largely negative, with the film holding a 37% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences failed to connect. As one analyst noted, “Original films without brand recognition face steep challenges, especially when reviews are poor.”
Meanwhile, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale continued its steady run, earning $6.3 million in its second weekend, bringing its total to $31.6 million. Similarly, Stephen King’s adaptation The Long Walk also made $6.3 million, dropping only 46% from its opening weekend and surpassing its $20 million production budget.
Other notable box office entries included:
- The Senior ($2.8 million)
- Toy Story 30th Anniversary re-release ($1.4 million)
- Sight & Sound Presents: NOAH – Live! ($1.4 million)
- Weapons ($1.3 million)
Classic re-releases also made an appearance. Ron Howard’s Apollo 13 played in 200 theaters for its 30th anniversary, bringing in $600,000.
Looking Ahead
Next weekend brings fresh anticipation with the release of Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. While Anderson’s films are often critical darlings, his most commercially successful effort remains 2007’s There Will Be Blood, which grossed over $76 million worldwide.
Adding to the excitement, AMC Theaters is set to host a unique event for Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album. A 90-minute concert-style film titled The Official Release Party of a Showgirl will play across 540 AMC locations from October 3–5, giving fans a one-of-a-kind experience.
With these releases on the horizon, the fall box office has a chance to regain momentum, though competition from streaming platforms and audience selectivity remain challenges.
Final Weekend Box Office Rankings (Estimates)
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle – $17.3 million
- Him – $13.5 million
- The Conjuring: Last Rites – $13 million
- The Long Walk – $6.3 million
- Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale – $6.3 million
- A Big Bold Beautiful Journey – $3.5 million
- The Senior – $2.8 million
- Toy Story (30th Anniversary) – $1.4 million
- Sight & Sound Presents: NOAH – Live! – $1.4 million
- Weapons – $1.3 million