Anime’s recent meteoric rise in popularity is becoming impossible to ignore. Over the last handful of years,the industry has seen its profits skyrocket, and, in turn, both the number of shows released each season and the quality of those shows have increased exponentially. Now, other markets are doing their best to ride the anime wave.
One such company is IMAX, which has enjoyed its own surge over the past year with major contributions to the global box office despite a relatively small number of screens in countries around the world. And though audiences might expect IMAX to focus in on proven moneymakers, like Marvel’s superheroes, the cinema company is turning its attention elsewhere.
IMAX Is Capitalizing On Anime’s Global Boom
IMAX’s Focus On Local-Language Films Is Paying Off
With recent Hollywood blockbustersnot performing up to standard in theaters outside the U.S., IMAX is doubling down on local-language films in other countries, and then further profiting by bringing those movies to the United States. Japan, in particular, is one of the company’s fastest-growing audiences, as reflected by the performance of the newDemon Slayer - The Movie: Infinity Castle.
The first of the upcoming trilogy of movies has shattered Japan box office opening records, generating nearly $50 million. The series' last movie, 2020’sDemon Slayer - The Movie: Mugen Train,became Japan’s highest-grossing film of all-time, and IMAX is enjoying incredible early returns despite screening the movie in only 59 locations across the country.
IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond recently discussedthe importance of screening local-language films withThe Hollywood Reporter, and revealed they’ve made up around 40% of IMAX’s global box office during the first half of 2025—a figure that’s jumped up from just 20% in the past couple years.
Where big Hollywood productions once dominated markets outside the U.S., global audiences are now turning to their own local-language movies, and IMAX is reaping the rewards. In September of this year, the cinema company plans to once again score big whenDemon Slayer’s upcoming movie arrives on American screens.
Anime’s Rapid Rise in Popularity Is Becoming Difficult to Ignore
Companies Around the World Want in on the Anime Craze
IMAX isn’t the only company benefiting from the worldwide anime boom. Streaming giants like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Crunchyroll have all been fighting to becomethe world’s leading anime streaming service, while distributors like GKIDS are bringing anime films to North American theaters that years ago would never have housed them.
In only the last couple of years, anime has gone from a niche interest outside of Japan to a booming industry around the world. With that shift, companies like IMAX and Netflix are changing focus, and benefiting greatly. However, the biggest winners in anime’s recent boom might just be the fans,who have more access to their favorite titles now than they ever did before.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
Cast
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle continues the battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and Muzan Kibutsuji. As Tanjiro and the Hashira face off in the demons' stronghold, the Infinity Castle, they prepare for the decisive conflict, pitting their strength against Kibutsuji’s malevolent forces.
