Anime hit Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – the Movie Infinity Castle is the champion of this weekend’s box office, topping the Jordan Peele-produced Him for no. 1.
Demon Slayer, which set a record $70 million U.S. opening last weekend, is looking to bring in $17.3 million this weekend, a tumble of 77 percent but enough for a victory. Him, from Universal and Peele’s Monkeypaw, is projected to end the weekend with $13.5 million, down from earlier estimates of $15 million.
Demon Slayer hails from the Sony-owned Crunchyroll, and is already a global smash. It now stands as the top-grossing anime movie of all time globally, with more than $555 million.
But the weekend brought bad news from other corners of the Sony empire, with the high-profile Margot Robbie, Colin Farrell romantic fantasy A Big Bold Beautiful Journey bombing with a projected $3.5 million, sixth-place finish. Journey centers on a man and a woman who relive key moments from their lives. The feature is Robbie’s first starring role since Barbie became a phenomenon two years ago and helped revive the box office. The film earned a B- CinemaScore from audiences and tepid reviews. Kogonada directed the Blacklist script by Seth Reiss.
Him likewise earned mediocre reviews. It stars Tyriq Withers as a top NFL quarterback prospect whose career is upended when he is blind sided by an attacker and suffers brain trauma. He finds a potential way back to greatness in the form of Marlon Wayans’ GOAT quarterback, who offers to train him at his private compound. The psychological horror movie hails from director Justin Tipping and received a C- CinemaScore from audiences.
Rounding out the top five are New Line’s The Conjuring: The Last Rites, now in its third weekend and expected to earn $12.1 million; Lionsgate’s The Long Walk, with $6.3 million; and Focus’ Downton Abbey: The Finale, with $6 million.
Sept. 21, 8:13 a.m. Updated with revised estimates.
This story was originally published on Sept. 20 at 8:10 a.m.