Demon Slayer: Mugen Train box office: the ¥40.75 billion Japan record

Eiren's official 2020 year-end report puts the Japan total at ¥40.75 billion. Box Office Mojo tracks a $489.5 million worldwide total as of August 2026.

Published: 2026-08-05. Updated: 2026-08-05.

Short answer: Demon Slayer: Mugen Train grossed ¥40.75 billion in Japan, according to Eiren's official 2020 year-end report published at the end of January 2021, making it the highest-grossing film released in Japan. Box Office Mojo records a worldwide total of $489,494,400 as of 5 August 2026. The film opened in Japan on 16 October 2020, expanded through Asia and other markets, and reached U.S. and Canadian theaters on 23 April 2021.

Japan gross and the all-time record

Eiren's 2020 year-end report on films grossing ¥1 billion or more in Japan lists Demon Slayer: Mugen Train at ¥40.75 billion. The report was published at the end of January 2021, so the total includes receipts from the film's October 2020 opening through that date.

That total exceeded Eiren's 2001 record for Spirited Away, which stands at ¥31.68 billion in the same Eiren data series. Mugen Train therefore became the highest-grossing film ever released in Japan on Eiren's official measure.

Worldwide gross by territory

Box Office Mojo records a worldwide lifetime total of $489,494,400 for Mugen Train as of 5 August 2026. The split is $49,888,550 in domestic U.S. and Canada receipts and $439,605,850 in international markets.

Japan accounts for most of the international total, at $365,655,745. South Korea is the next largest territory at $30,658,887, followed by Taiwan at $20,000,000 and Hong Kong at $4,006,683. Aniplex and Crunchyroll's April 2025 re-release announcement stated the film had garnered over $500 million USD to date, which reflects a slightly earlier reporting cut-off and ongoing encore screenings.

Release timeline: pandemic opening to global rollout

Mugen Train opened in Japan on 16 October 2020, while COVID-19 capacity restrictions were still in place. Box Office Mojo's release-group table shows the original theatrical run covered 19 markets from 16 October 2020 through 22 December 2023.

The U.S. and Canada release followed on 23 April 2021, with subtitled and dubbed screenings plus select IMAX and 4DX engagements, according to the official Demon Slayer USA site. A 4K re-release ran in the U.S., Canada, and select international territories starting 14 May 2025.

What the run proved about anime film economics

The film demonstrated that anime features can operate as event-status theatrical releases rather than niche fan-only screenings. It opened in Japan on a limited number of screens relative to major Hollywood titles and scaled wide through demand, selling more than 29 million tickets in Japan according to distributor announcements cited in trade coverage.

It also showed crossover to general audiences beyond the existing fan base. The combination of a hit television season, a self-contained story arc, and premium formats helped drive repeat viewings. For the business, the lesson is that anime films can compete for the top yearly global box-office spot when distribution, marketing, and format expansion are coordinated.

How to read the numbers carefully

Eiren's Japanese and English 2020 pages report different Japan totals because they use different cut-off dates. The English page shows ¥36.55 billion, while the Japanese year-end PDF shows ¥40.75 billion. The difference is additional receipts captured through the end of January 2021.

Box Office Mojo's figure is in U.S. dollars and includes the 2025 re-release. Exchange-rate movements and re-release activity mean the dollar total will not map exactly onto the yen total at any single point in time.

Frequently asked questions

How much did Demon Slayer: Mugen Train make in Japan?

Eiren's official 2020 year-end report lists the Japan total as ¥40.75 billion, as of the end of January 2021.

What is the worldwide box office for Mugen Train?

Box Office Mojo records $489,494,400 worldwide as of 5 August 2026, including $49,888,550 in the U.S. and Canada and $439,605,850 internationally.

When did Mugen Train release in the U.S.?

The U.S. and Canada theatrical release was 23 April 2021, with digital release following on 22 June 2021.

Is Mugen Train the highest-grossing film in Japan?

Yes, on Eiren's official measure. Its ¥40.75 billion total exceeds the previous Eiren record held by Spirited Away at ¥31.68 billion.

Sources and methodology

2020 films exceeding ¥1 billion in Japan, Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan (Eiren). Lists Demon Slayer: Mugen Train at ¥40.75 billion, as of end of January 2021.
2001 films exceeding ¥1 billion in Japan, Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan (Eiren). Lists Spirited Away at ¥31.68 billion, the prior all-time record in the same data series.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Mugen Train, Box Office Mojo. Worldwide, domestic, international, and Japan grosses; earliest release date 16 October 2020; data as of 5 August 2026.
Mugen Train in theaters April 23 and on digital June 22, Demon Slayer USA / Aniplex of America. Official U.S. and Canada theatrical release date of 23 April 2021 and digital release of 22 June 2021.
Mugen Train returning to theatres in 4K on May 14, Demon Slayer USA / Aniplex of America. States the film had garnered over 500 million USD to date as of the April 2025 re-release announcement.