Box Office: ‘Chainsaw Man’ Leads with $17 Million Debut as ‘Springsteen’ Trails at $9 Million
Anime continues to reshape the North American cinematic landscape. ‘Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc,’ the latest release from Sony’s Crunchyroll, opened at the top of the weekend box‑office chart, earning approximately $17.2 million from 3,003 theaters across the United States and Canada.
By contrast, the biographical drama ‘Springsteen,’ which opened the same weekend, generated just under $9 million, placing it well behind the anime offering. Industry analysts note that the disparity reflects shifting audience preferences, with younger viewers and fans of Japanese animation increasingly driving ticket sales for franchise‑based releases.
‘Chainsaw Man’ benefits from a strong pre‑existing fan base cultivated by the manga and streaming series that premiered on Crunchyroll last year. The film’s marketing campaign emphasized its high‑octane action and the continuation of the popular Reze storyline, prompting long lines at major multiplexes and a notable surge in social‑media buzz. Box‑office trackers estimate the film’s per‑theater average to be among the highest for an anime release in the region.
Experts point to a broader trend in which anime titles such as ‘Demon Slayer: Mugen Train,’ ‘Jujutsu Kaisen 0,’ and ‘My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ have consistently outperformed many domestic live‑action films over the past few years. These successes have encouraged major studios to invest more heavily in anime adaptations, often partnering with streaming platforms to maximize global reach.
Local theater owners reported that the surge in demand for ‘Chainsaw Man’ led to additional screenings being added on short notice, while some smaller venues struggled to secure enough seats. Officials from the Motion Picture Association highlighted the film’s performance as evidence of the genre’s growing economic impact and its role in diversifying the market.
Looking ahead, industry observers expect the anime wave to continue, with several high‑profile releases slated for the holiday season. Meanwhile, the modest showing of ‘Springsteen’ may prompt studios to reassess promotional strategies for adult‑oriented biopics in an environment where genre franchises dominate audience attention.
