10 Highest-Grossing Anime Films At The American Box Office, Ranked From Worst To Best

Anime movies have always had a complicated history with viewers in the West. While they didn’t do well when anime was less popular, even now that anime is more widely known, it’s still unusual for them to be big hits in American theaters, despite positive reactions from fans.

It’s not surprising that anime movies often struggle in theaters. Anime isn’t always mainstream, and many rely on existing fans of a series. However, some anime films have broken through, achieving both critical acclaim and box office success in the US, and a look at the best performers proves that quality can definitely drive results.

10) Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Pyramid Of Light ($19.89 Million)

As a huge Yu-Gi-Oh! fan, I was so excited to see Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Pyramid of Light! It’s basically a continuation of the awesome 2000s anime series. The story revolves around Kaiba, who’s determined to finally beat Yugi and take the title of King of Games. He’s got a super powerful new card – the Pyramid of Light – but using it could accidentally unleash a really dangerous evil, and of course, Yugi has to step in to save the day!

The movie Pyramid of Light was made for 4Kids Entertainment, so it has the same kind of awkward writing and low-quality dialogue that was common in their English-dubbed shows. While Yu-Gi-Oh!‘s popularity helped it earn nearly $20 million, viewers would be better off watching the original Japanese version, which is at least more enjoyable.

9) Pokémon The Movie 2000 ($43.76 Million)

Pokémon the Movie 2000 is the second Pokémon film based on the popular anime series. This time, Ash and his friends are exploring the Orange Islands when they encounter a dangerous villain obsessed with the legendary Pokémon, Lugia. According to an old prophecy, Ash is the only one who can prevent this villain from causing worldwide destruction.

Pokémon the Movie 2000 was a big hit in American theaters, earning over $43 million. Its exciting story, combined with surprisingly good animation, makes it clear why it was so popular. Many fans consider the first three Pokémon movies to be the best, and Pokémon the Movie 2000 definitely deserves its place among them.

8) Pokémon: The First Movie ($85.74 Million)

Pokémon: The First Movie is the very first Pokémon film released in theaters. Ash Ketchum receives an invitation to a secluded island to challenge a Pokémon Master, but he soon discovers it’s a trap set by Mewtwo, a genetically engineered Pokémon who intends to use Ash and other trainers to carry out a plan to destroy the world.

Even though some people find the English dub of Pokémon: The First Movie simplifies the story, the film still delivers a powerful and exciting experience. It was a huge success, becoming the top-grossing anime movie in America for many years, earning $85.74 million, and it’s not hard to understand why it resonated with so many viewers.

7) Demon Slayer: Mugen Train ($49.51 Million)

Ufotable’s Demon Slayer: Mugen Train continues the story of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime series. Picking up right after the first season, Tanjiro and his companions join forces with Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, to solve a series of disappearances occurring on the Mugen Train. They quickly find themselves facing their most challenging fight yet.

The popularity of Demon Slayer was already soaring, and Mugen Train built on that success with stunning animation and a surprisingly touching story, particularly surrounding the character Rengoku. Earning $49.51 million in the US, Mugen Train became a huge success and held the record for the highest-grossing anime film for years.

6) Jujutsu Kaisen 0 ($34.5 Million)

MAPPA’s Jujutsu Kaisen 0 tells the story that precedes the Jujutsu Kaisen anime. Yuta Okkotsu enrolls at Jujutsu High to learn how to control curses after the tragic death of his childhood sweetheart, who becomes a dangerous and obsessive spirit. His training happens while a dangerous individual is planning to dismantle the entire world of jujutsu sorcery.

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 wasn’t just a great prequel to the anime, it was visually stunning with incredible action sequences throughout. The film earned $34.5 million in the US, which really helped establish Jujutsu Kaisen as a standout anime series.

5) Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 ($133.74 Million)

Ufotable’s Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle part 1 kicks off a three-part story arc. The Demon Slayer Corps is in a desperate rush to defeat Muzan inside the Infinity Castle, but they’ll have to overcome his strongest remaining followers first. This first installment focuses on the intense battle between Tanjiro, Giyu, and Upper-Rank 3 Kizuki Akaza, a fight that will push them to their limits.

The announcement of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle created a lot of excitement, and the movie delivered on all expectations with its beautiful animation and deeply moving story. Earning $133.74 million at the box office, Infinity Castle Part 1 is now the highest-grossing anime film in the United States, and the upcoming sequels are expected to be even more successful.

4) Chainsaw Man: The Movie — Reze Arc ($40.06 Million)

MAPPA’s Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc continues the story of the Chainsaw Man anime. Denji meets a cheerful and unusual girl named Reze and begins to fall for her, developing feelings as strong as those he once had for Makima. However, as often happens with Denji, this happiness doesn’t last, and things quickly take a dark turn.

Everyone was eagerly awaiting the 2025 anime films Chainsaw Man and Infinity Castle, but Chainsaw Man truly delivered. Its unique visuals and heartbreaking love story seamlessly continued the first season, making it well worth the anticipation. With a box office of $40.06 million, the film was a clear hit and demonstrates the enduring popularity of the Chainsaw Man franchise.

3) Dragon Ball Super: Broly ($30.71 Million)

Toei Animation’s Dragon Ball Super: Broly continues the story of the Dragon Ball Super anime. After the Tournament of Power, Frieza seeks revenge by challenging Goku and Vegeta with a powerful new Saiyan named Broly. However, his plan unleashes a force far beyond what anyone anticipated.

Dragon Ball Super: Broly didn’t just revamp a previously divisive character – it turned him into one of the franchise’s strongest. The movie’s incredible animation and direction make it a visual treat, and it’s worth seeing for that alone. Broly became a huge hit in America, earning over $30 million at the box office, and rightfully so.

2) Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero ($38.11)

The newest Dragon Ball movie, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, sees the return of the Red Ribbon Army with their most powerful androids yet. Since Goku and Vegeta are currently training and unavailable, Piccolo and Gohan must step up, reach their maximum power, and protect the world.

While impressive action and animation were expected from Super Hero, especially with the switch to 3D, the film also featured surprisingly well-developed characters. This created a perfect blend of exciting action and compelling storytelling. Super Hero was a big hit, earning $38.11 million at the box office, and hopefully, we’ll see more films like it in the future.

1) The Boy And The Heron ($46.83 Million)

Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki’s newest film, The Boy and the Heron, tells the story of Mahito Maki, a young boy struggling with the loss of his mother during World War II. Determined to reunite with her, he follows a mysterious talking heron into a magical world, embarking on an adventure that quickly becomes more extraordinary than he ever expected.

With its beautiful animation and moving story about dealing with grief, The Boy and the Heron was a huge success and is considered by many to be Studio Ghibli’s best film yet. It also performed incredibly well at the American box office, earning $46.83 million, and stands out as the highest-quality film among top-grossing anime movies.

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2025-11-18 03:12