Anime Movies Are No Longer the Exception

Anime films were once seen as side ventures for fans rather than the primary stage of storytelling. Today, franchises such as Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen have turned that notion upside down. These shows are no longer satisfied with weekly episodes; they are using the big screen as a canvas to create some of their most dramatic arcs. From the box office smash of Mugen Train to the ambitious Infinity Castle trilogy, anime films are proving that they can compete with — and even outperform — Hollywood blockbusters.

This transformation is more than just record-breaking numbers. It's about how fans consume anime, how studios plan major arcs, and how worldwide audiences are adopting a once-obscure art as mainstream entertainment. With Jujutsu Kaisen 0 and Demon Slayer's theatrical tactics leading the way, anime films might become the new gold standard.

Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle Changed the Game

Few anime franchises have achieved the global reach as Demon Slayer. After Mugen Train took the world by storm in 2020, grossing more than $500 million worldwide, the industry realised that anime films were no longer niche events. However, Infinity Castle has pushed things much further. Released in Japan in July 2025 and then in the United States in September, the film quickly broke records, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2025 in Japan and the second-highest of all time in the country, trailing only Mugen Train.

What sets Infinity Castle apart is its ambition. Instead of breaking up the final arc into numerous seasons, the designers went all in with a cinematic trilogy, making Tanjiro's climactic confrontations a worldwide cultural event. Fans didn't just watch an anime; they were treated to a blockbuster epic, complete with top-tier animation from Ufotable and a marketing campaign typically reserved for live-action blockbusters.

The decision to adapt the conclusion into a film marks a turning point. Studios are finally recognising that anime's most dramatic stories deserve to be shown in theatres, where images and emotions may hit harder than they do on television.

Jujutsu Kaisen Reinforces the Formula

If Demon Slayer demonstrated that anime films might dominate, Jujutsu Kaisen demonstrated that this was not an isolated event. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 debuted in 2021 with a new protagonist, Yuta Okkotsu, and rapidly became a phenomenon, grossing over $196 million worldwide and being Japan's top film of the year. More importantly, the prequel feature increased the popularity of the main series by bringing in new viewers.

The strategy has not ended there. Compilation films, such as Hidden Inventory/Premature Death and the upcoming Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution, are intended to elevate significant arcs while also teasing new episodes ahead of their broadcast premiere. It's a great strategy: even if fans have already seen the episodes, they're eager to pay for the better cinematic experience.

By releasing Execution as both a continuation and a preview of Season 3's Culling Game arc, MAPPA signals that the hybrid model of anime storytelling—part television, half theatrical—is here to stay.

Anime’s Top Franchises Are Leaning In

It isn’t just Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen that are capitalizing on this trend. One Piece has long thrived in theaters, with One Piece: Red making waves in 2022 despite limited international release. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero also proved the model works globally, pulling in over $100 million and energizing a fanbase that spans generations.

Meanwhile, My Hero Academia has produced several films, with 2024's You're Next continuing its popular run in Japan and the United States. Even stand-alone hits like Your Name and Suzume have demonstrated that anime films unrelated to long-running franchises may reach enormous international popularity.

The difference today is in scale. Anime films are no longer regarded as side attractions, but rather as fundamental pillars of storytelling, often even the only way to experience significant arcs.

Why Anime Movies Work So Well

The formula works for a variety of reasons. First, anime has a devoted, global fan base that will support its favourite programs in any media. Second, cinematic expenditures enable for higher-quality animation and more ambitious action sequences, which fans look for in climax narratives. Third, the theatrical format elevates each release into an event, generating buzz that weekly episodes rarely do.

This trend is also consistent with modern viewing habits. Television storylines may generate anticipation, but fans are increasingly looking for a climax that feels bigger than life. By relocating climactic arcs to theatres, studios provide precisely that — a spectacle worth the wait.

What This Means for Anime’s Future

The success of Infinity Castle and Jujutsu Kaisen 0 indicates that more studios may try this hybrid strategy. Instead of stretching out huge arcs across numerous seasons, they might save their biggest plots for movies. This could result in fewer filler episodes, faster pacing, and higher production quality overall.

It could also change the economics of anime. Theatrical releases, movie-related goods, and international box office receipts all provide additional money for studios. Meanwhile, fans can enjoy higher-quality adaptations of their favourite storylines without having to wait years for them to air on television.

Even lesser-known titles could benefit. While not every series will reach the heights of Demon Slayer, the concept of presenting climax arcs as films, whether in theatres or immediately on streaming, is sure to catch on. The future of anime may look like a mix of episodic storytelling for setup and huge spectacles for the big payoffs.

Conclusion: A New Era for Anime Fans

With Demon Slayer's Infinity Castle breaking records and Jujutsu Kaisen establishing the blueprint, anime is entering a new era. Theatres are no longer a bonus for spectators; they are increasingly serving as the primary stage for the most significant events. It remains to be seen whether this trend favours smaller series, but for the time being, anime fans may rejoice: the stories they enjoy are receiving the grandeur, funding, and respect they deserve.

In many ways, anime films have evolved beyond mere adaptations. They are becoming the definitive means to experience some of the medium's most iconic arcs, signalling a significant shift in how anime is developed, promoted, and consumed around the world.

📌Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general news and entertainment purposes only. All box office data, release details, and franchise updates are based on publicly available reports from studios and distributors. Readers are advised to follow official announcements for confirmation.