A highly acclaimed anime has just shaken up the box office by surpassing Demon Slayer, a giant of Japanese animated films, thus setting a historic record. This unexpected achievement concerns Jujutsu Kaisen, whose recap film Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution grossed 10.2 million dollars during its opening weekend in the United States, narrowly surpassing the 10.1 million made by Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba To the Swordsmith Village. The reasons for this success are multiple and recent, marking a significant shift in how animated works generate audience and cultivate popularity in cinemas in 2026.
We will cover the following points:
- The precise context of this historic record and the key figures associated with it.
- The specific factors that enabled Jujutsu Kaisen to surpass a colossus like Demon Slayer.
- A detailed analysis of the current situation of Demon Slayer in light of this new trend.
- The new strategies for exploiting animated films emerging at the box office.
- The outlook for upcoming animation hits and how the competition looks in 2026.
This comprehensive exploration will allow you to grasp the current dynamics of animated cinema and the popularity phenomena shaping the industry.
- 1 A historic record broken: Jujutsu Kaisen shatters Demon Slayer at the US box office
- 2 Why is Jujutsu Kaisen experiencing such box office success for a recap film?
- 3 Demon Slayer facing this new contender: a giant still solid but challenged
- 4 The new rules of success at the box office for an animated film in 2026
- 5 The next big hits in animated cinema: what future after Jujutsu Kaisen?
A historic record broken: Jujutsu Kaisen shatters Demon Slayer at the US box office
The event marks a first in the world of Japanese animation: a recap film, Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution, unusual by the very nature of the project, explodes box office scores. Over the weekend of December 5 to 7, 2025, this film generated 10.2 million dollars in revenue in the United States, holding up against Demon Slayer, whose most recent opening film, Kimetsu no Yaiba To the Swordsmith Village, earned 10.1 million dollars in March 2023.
This slight gap may seem minimal, but it carries significant symbolic weight, as in the box office world, every margin counts. Especially when considering that the budgets of these films do not approach the large Hollywood productions exceeding 200 million dollars. Jujutsu Kaisen capitalized on strong mobilization from its audience, attracting approximately 5,500 dollars in revenue per theater across 1,833 screens. For a film revisiting an arc already broadcast on television and enhanced with an unreleased epilogue, this performance is striking.
This phenomenon illustrates an evolution in animation viewers’ behavior: far from settling for simple digital consumption on streaming platforms, they now aim for a rewarding collective experience. This shift from individual consumption to solidarity in-theater demands a redefinition of strategies in the animation film industry.
| Film | Release Date | First Weekend Revenue (millions $) | Number of Theaters | Revenue per Theater (average $) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution | December 2025 | 10.2 | 1833 | 5500 |
| Demon Slayer: To the Swordsmith Village | March 2023 | 10.1 | – | – |
To illustrate this unique aspect of an immersive cinematic experience, studios often organize exclusive previews or dedicated sessions in VOST or VF format, strengthening the bond between fans and the animated universe. This trend signals a new paradigm where popularity is no longer measured solely by the volume of episodes or manga sold, but by massive theater attendance during series-related events.
Why is Jujutsu Kaisen experiencing such box office success for a recap film?
Analyzing the impressive success of Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution is not just about looking at numbers, but also understanding the timing and strategy behind this release.
A release timed to maximize excitement
The film was launched just before the release of season 3 planned for January 8, 2026. This approach resembles a clever reminder of both the content and the dark atmosphere of the series, focused on the Prisoners of the Prison arc. The audience thus retains a fresh memory of the narrative stakes, creating a strong collective anticipation. This planned timing generates a dynamic community event, where seeing the film in theaters becomes a must before continuing.
Strong critical reception and a loyal audience
With about 80% approval on Rotten Tomatoes from more than 500 validated reviews, Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution succeeds in captivating through its heavy atmosphere and unrelenting tension. This type of feedback shows that even as a compilation film, the work remains gripping. This treatment deserves to be highlighted, as it maintains suspense while nurturing a strong desire to dive into the new season.
A cinematic experience above all
The audience no longer settles for simple viewing on a personal screen. With an impressive average of 5,500 dollars per theater, there is a real mobilization around the cinema release. The strength lies in offering a collective atmosphere, where sharing with other enthusiasts enriches perception and emotional intensity, bringing a new dimension to the experience.
To deepen your knowledge of the animated universe and discover other current events, you can check the information on Jump Festa 2026 dedicated to animes.
Demon Slayer facing this new contender: a giant still solid but challenged
The rise of Jujutsu Kaisen does not mean Demon Slayer is losing its position. On the contrary, the franchise remains an essential pillar in the Japanese animation landscape with a consistently large and engaged community.
For example, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle dominated the South Korean box office in 2025, becoming the most watched film of the year in that country, surpassing major local blockbusters. This performance reinforces its international status and illustrates a renewing audience, notably thanks to the manga which continues to sell at an impressive pace, with more than 220 million copies sold worldwide, five years after the official end of the series.
However, the audience has become more demanding: the simple release of a recap film is no longer enough to create a cinema event. The challenge for Demon Slayer is now to offer more marked narrative or technical experiences, as is well explained in the analysis of the manga rankings of 2025, which also highlight new trends and preferences among fans.
Success in South Korea and its international impact
The concept of premium formats increasingly attracts audiences, as shown by the 19% share of viewers in 4DX, IMAX, or Dolby Cinema for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle. Over a million spectators opted for a high-end experience, proving that box office success is no longer solely about quantity, but about the quality and immersion offered.
The challenge of maintaining a loyal and renewed audience
Studios must therefore strengthen expectations through release cycles and upstream marketing campaigns to energize very active communities. Fans seek ongoing dialogue, exclusive elements in theaters, and a feeling of belonging to a cultural event, thus increasing cinema attendance.
The new rules of success at the box office for an animated film in 2026
Surpassing Demon Slayer with a recap film is a strong indicator: animated films are no longer judged solely on their content but also on how the release is orchestrated.
Marketing levers to strengthen
Here are the main strategies observed in the sector:
- Schedule a release just before or during the airing of a new season, maximizing visibility.
- Create an exclusivity effect with premium format screenings and original version with subtitles.
- Offer goodies and special events to fuel word-of-mouth and strengthen loyalty.
- Fully utilize social networks to engage the community, create challenges, and live events.
- Turn the release into a festive and collective rendezvous, in theaters, with marathons or Q&A sessions.
A multi-format experience favored by the audience
In South Korea, the premium experience represents nearly 19% of viewers for certain films, reflecting a global trend. This market is also developing in the United States where Jujutsu Kaisen experiments with similar setups, with growing appeal for 4DX and IMAX sessions. The amplified spectacle attracts fans eager to experience more than the story but a complete atmosphere, a shared emotion.
Comparative example of used strategies
| Film | Release Strategy | Premium Formats | Fan Engagement | US Revenue (millions $) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution | Release before season 3 | Yes (4DX, IMAX) | Strong, via events and social media | 10.2 |
| Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle | Event release in Korea | Yes (4DX, IMAX, Dolby) | Large loyal community | Record in South Korea |
These mechanisms redefine box office competition, prioritizing now more than ever the relationship between the public and the film, transforming the release into a true popular event.
The next big hits in animated cinema: what future after Jujutsu Kaisen?
With Jujutsu Kaisen setting a historic record, the question arises: which franchise or anime will take over at the box office? Several current and upcoming titles are positioned to contest this leadership.
Here is a list of the animations to follow closely in 2026:
- Chainsaw Man: a shonen rapidly gaining popularity, with an engaged fan base and an eagerly awaited adaptation coming soon.
- My Hero Academia: remaining a safe bet, the series is preparing a new film likely to gather crowds.
- Oshi no Ko and Blue Lock: two recent series showing significant growth in their audiences and cinematic projects underway.
Future success will notably depend on:
- Optimal planning of releases, always connected to the regular airing of episodes.
- Massive and targeted communication to fans, leveraging social networks and physical events.
- The ability to offer premium experiences in theaters, ensuring community loyalty.
- And above all, a true sense of urgency and exclusivity:
- Missing a release could mean missing a crucial rendezvous of manga culture.
This new dynamic goes beyond mere animation to redefine the role of cinema in fans’ lives, with an impact as social as it is cultural. To explore the future of Japanese animation further, you can also consult the article on manga likely to replace One Piece, another great landmark to follow.
