'Demon Slayer' Reigns Supreme: Anime Film Tops 2025 Box Office for the First Time

The perception of animation as a niche interest is officially a thing of the past. What was once enjoyed at home has now conquered the silver screen, shattering box office records and solidifying its status as a mainstream phenomenon.

'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village' (hereafter referred to as 'Demon Slayer') has officially claimed the top spot at the South Korean box office for 2025. As of midnight on the 22nd, the film had garnered a cumulative audience of 5,638,737 viewers, surpassing the previous record holder, 'Zombie Daughter,' which had 5,637,455 admissions. (Source: Korean Film Council's KOBIS database).

While foreign live-action blockbusters like 'Avatar' (2010), 'Transformers 3' (2011), and 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' (2021) have previously held the top annual box office spot, 'Demon Slayer' marks the first time an animated film has achieved this feat.

The film's total revenue is also staggering, reaching 60,824,366,900 KRW, a significant lead over the second-highest grossing film, 'Zombie Daughter' (53,114,303,990 KRW). A key factor in its success was the strategic use of premium formats, with approximately 19% of its total audience, amounting to 1.06 million viewers, opting for 4DX, IMAX, or Dolby Cinema screenings. Various events, such as merchandise screenings and cheering parties, also contributed to its immense popularity.

'Demon Slayer' is based on a manga series with a global circulation of over 200 million copies, boasting a robust existing fanbase. The movie adaptation was highly anticipated, with advance ticket sales exceeding 800,000 copies even before its release.

An industry insider commented, "Original fans flock to the theater on opening day for 'open runs,' premium screenings, and merchandise giveaways." They added, "Even those who don't watch the film often purchase tickets solely to receive merchandise, a practice known as 'soul sending,' which contributes to the rising cumulative audience numbers." Another source noted, "Releasing a film with an established fandom feels like an event in itself."

The film's extended theatrical run also played a crucial role in its success. Initially drawing primarily from its existing fanbase, 'Demon Slayer' maintained its high ranking on the box office charts for an extended period, naturally drawing the attention of general audiences. The continuous breaking of records and creation of new milestones piqued the curiosity of casual moviegoers, leading to further ticket sales. Industry observers believe that such impressive figures would be difficult to achieve solely through the repeat viewings of original fans.

However, the success of animation has also highlighted concerns about the slump in the Korean film industry. One professional stated, "Due to investment considerations, Korean films have become overly focused on guaranteed success, losing their distinctiveness." They lamented, "It's disappointing that only renowned directors can produce works with their unique style." Another industry figure pointed out, "There simply aren't enough compelling content options that make audiences want to go to the cinema."

Korean netizens are buzzing about the 'Demon Slayer' phenomenon, with comments like "As expected, this is 'Demon Slayer'! It was even more fun watching it again in theaters" and "I'm planning to watch it again just for the merchandise." Many expressed high satisfaction with the special format screenings.