Alright, if you thought Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle was just another anime movie, think again. This beast didn’t just break records; it straight-up smashed the box office records on speed run. But the best part? It’s not alone up there. The list of highest-grossing anime movies is a mix of emotional tearjerkers, timeless classics, and demon-slaying blockbusters.
So let’s go through them one by one, movie by movie, and discover how they left their marks. However, here’s a neat table to give you the stats before we dive deep:
1. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle
Infinity Castle didn’t just debut with a bang; it exploded like Rengoku’s final move. Fans packed theaters worldwide, IMAX screens sold out, and even people who hadn’t touched the anime before were curious enough to jump in.
The result? A record-breaking monster of a movie that’s now the undisputed #1 anime film of all time. Demon Slayer basically proved it can compete with Marvel-level box office power.
2. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train
Before Infinity Castle, it was Mugen Train that carried the torch. Released back in 2020, it not only ruled in Japan, but it also crushed records overseas, making it the highest-grossing film worldwide in 2020.
For a lot of anime fans, Mugen Train was the moment anime proved it could headline theaters around the world like any Hollywood blockbuster.
3. Your Name.
Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name wasn’t just a movie; it was a cultural moment. With its mix of body-swapping romance, jaw-dropping visuals, and one of the most emotional twists in anime history, it struck a chord with audiences everywhere.
Word of mouth turned this into a global phenomenon, and suddenly Shinkai went from ‘that promising director’ to ‘the guy who made one of the highest-grossing anime of all time’.
4. Spirited Away
Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away is the film that needs no introduction. This Studio Ghibli masterpiece has been raking in money since 2001 and still gets re-releases that fill theaters all over the world.
It was the reigning champ for years until newer titles overtook it, but make no mistake, it’s still one of the most iconic anime movies ever made. Between its Oscar win and its magical storytelling, Spirited Away remains untouchable in legacy, even if it’s no longer #1 in the money game.
5. Suzume
So, Makoto Shinkai wasn’t done after Your Name. With Suzume, he proved lightning can strike twice (or thrice, if you count Weathering With You). Released in 2022, Suzume pulled in massive numbers across Asia and the rest of the world.
While it didn’t quite topple the titans above it, it still took its place amongst the top five, proving that Shinkai’s combination of emotional storytelling and stunning animation is pretty much a license to print money.
In the end, what’s crazy about this list is how evenly it’s split: two Demon Slayer blockbusters, two Shinkai emotional epics, and one timeless Miyazaki classic. Together, they demonstrate the entire scope of what anime can achieve: thrill you, break your heart, or transport you to another world.
And with Infinity Castle leading the charge, it feels like anime movies aren’t just competing with each other anymore, they’re going after Hollywood itself. So, which of these anime blockbusters is your all-time favorite: are you team Demon Slayer, Shinkai’s epics, or Miyazaki’s magic? Let us know in the comments section below.
