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Can Sony claim to have achieved another hit? Coming after the box office performance of the blockbuster Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, which grossed in excess of $600 million at the box office, the new movie Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc has surpassed the $100 million mark internationally, attaining a worldwide gross of $108M in its opening frame. The film outperformed Black Phone 2 ($12.9 million) in its sophomore frame in movie houses, as well as the music documentary Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere with Jeremy Allen White (nine million dollars).

Impressive Domestic and Worldwide Earnings

Helmed by filmmaker Tatsuya Yoshihara, the film is a direct continuation of the debut season of the Chainsaw Man series. It earned $18.2M in North America after a strong five-point-two-million-dollar Saturday and $4.5 million Sunday take. Overseas, the animated by MAPPA movie grossed nearly $15 million across 46 global regions, pushing its worldwide total to $60.4 million via Sony (over $43 million abroad, $18.2 million domestic). Sony has yet to announce its complete box office tally.

Parallels to Other Blockbuster Anime Movies

Specialist agency White Box Entertainment previously spoke, contrasting the film’s projected performance to Jujutsu Kaisen 0, which grossed $34 million in the North America in 2022 and started with a similar $18M stateside. The new film's opening frame is in line with that benchmark, while its $108M international sum is now positioned slightly below Jujutsu Kaisen 0’s $166.6 million overall box office. Although it’s unlikely Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc will match the numbers of smash success the enormous hit Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, this is still a significant success for the studio.

Promotional Efforts Boost Success

Sony and its subsidiary Crunchyroll have skillfully used fan engagement to boost their leadership at the cinema for anime films. The movie's marketing campaign launched at Anime Expo Los Angeles in July with a discussion featuring MAPPA, exclusive activations, and Pochita-themed pictures, followed by a notable appearance at New York Comic Con featuring never-before-seen content, audience giveaways, and additional MAPPA panels. Moreover, organizers held an private showing for enthusiasts for moviegoers and influencers alike after the last day of the gathering.

Looking Ahead

This year marks a major time for Japanese animation, and for Sony, which has one more animated movie debuting this year in the film Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution in late this year.