The First Slam Dunk box office: $246.9 million worldwide
Takehiko Inoue's 2022 basketball film became a phenomenon in East Asia before expanding to other markets.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: The First Slam Dunk grossed $246.9 million worldwide according to Box Office Mojo. Japan contributed $112.6 million, China contributed $90.7 million, and South Korea contributed $35.1 million. The film opened in Japan on December 3, 2022 and in North America on July 28, 2023. These are theatrical gross figures.
How much did The First Slam Dunk earn worldwide?
The First Slam Dunk grossed $246.9 million worldwide. Box Office Mojo records $1.3 million as domestic, meaning the United States and Canada, and $245.6 million as international.
Japan was the largest territory at $112.6 million. China was close behind at $90.7 million, while South Korea contributed $35.1 million. Those three markets accounted for roughly 96% of the worldwide total.
The First Slam Dunk box office by territory. Source: Box Office Mojo.| Territory | Gross | Share of worldwide |
|---|
| Japan | $112.6M | 45.6% |
| China | $90.7M | 36.7% |
| South Korea | $35.1M | 14.2% |
| Hong Kong | $4.8M | 1.9% |
| North America | $1.3M | 0.5% |
| Worldwide | $246.9M | 100% |
When did The First Slam Dunk release in major markets?
The film opened in Japan on December 3, 2022. South Korea followed on January 4, 2023, and Hong Kong opened on January 12, 2023.
China opened on April 20, 2023 and became the film's second-largest market. North America opened later, on July 28, 2023, with a limited release that grossed $1.3 million.
Why was the film so concentrated in East Asia?
The First Slam Dunk was based on a manga that was especially popular in Japan, South Korea, and Chinese-speaking markets. The film's realistic basketball animation and nostalgic source material drove strong word of mouth in those regions.
North America and Europe were much smaller. The film did not receive a wide mainstream release outside East Asia, so its gross reflects the size of the existing anime fan base rather than broad crossover appeal.
Gross type definition: All figures in this article are theatrical box office gross, meaning total ticket revenue. They do not represent distributor revenue, studio profit, or the amount returned to Toei Animation and the production committee after exhibitors and local distributors take their shares.
What do these numbers not show?
Box office gross does not show how much Takehiko Inoue, Toei, or the production committee earned. The theatrical total is consumer spending, not rights-holder revenue.
The figures also exclude merchandise, streaming, and home video income. For a Slam Dunk release, those downstream revenues can be significant but are not reported on a per-title basis.
Frequently asked questions
How much did The First Slam Dunk make worldwide?
The First Slam Dunk grossed $246.9 million worldwide, with Japan contributing $112.6 million, China contributing $90.7 million, and South Korea contributing $35.1 million.
When did The First Slam Dunk release in Japan and China?
The film opened in Japan on December 3, 2022 and in China on April 20, 2023.
What was The First Slam Dunk's biggest market outside Japan?
China was the largest market outside Japan at $90.7 million, followed by South Korea at $35.1 million.
Are these box office numbers the same as studio profit?
No. Box office gross is total ticket revenue. Distributors, exhibitors, and local partners take shares before any money returns to the production committee or rights holders.
Sources and methodology
- The First Slam Dunk, Box Office Mojo. Worldwide, domestic, and international grosses plus territory-level breakdown as of August 2026.
- The First Slam Dunk, The Numbers. Alternative box office tracker with release dates, opening weekend, and additional territory details as of August 2026.