‘Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’ Won’t Hit Streaming Until 2026

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Okay, so everyone’s talking about *Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle* – it’s a huge success! But honestly, as much as I’d love to binge it, it doesn’t look like it’s heading to any streaming services anytime soon, which is a bit of a bummer.

The popular Japanese animated film now playing in cinemas won’t be available to stream or rent online until at least 2026, a representative from Crunchyroll has announced.

Mitchel Berger, a top executive at the anime streaming service Crunchyroll, recently shared some news about the movie in an interview.

He told Popverse that fans should see *Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle* in theaters, as it won’t be available anywhere else in 2025.

I have to be honest, the studio is really pushing for everyone to see this one *in theaters*. They’ve made it pretty clear this isn’t coming to streaming or on-demand anytime soon, so if you’re interested, that’s where you’ll have to catch it.

This means the anime film will stay in theaters much longer than usual. Most movies have a limited run of about three months before becoming available to rent, stream, or buy on disc – like DVDs, if you remember those!

Although the time between a movie’s theatrical release and its availability for digital purchase or streaming has gotten shorter in recent years – sometimes only around 30 days – it’s still rare for a new movie to be available on demand or through streaming services more than three months after it’s shown in theaters.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Train Sets a New Global Standard for Major Anime Films

The latest *Demon Slayer* movie is a huge success, breaking box office records and quickly becoming the highest-earning Japanese animated film ever. It’s already surpassed previous record-holders like *Spirited Away*, *Your Name*, and even the previous *Demon Slayer* film, *Mugen Train*.

The movie *Infinity Train* has earned over $474 million worldwide and made $70 million in its opening weekend in the U.S. This was a record-breaking debut, marking the biggest opening weekend ever for a foreign film released in the U.S. and for an R-rated animated movie.

Okay, let me tell you, this movie absolutely crushed it at the box office! CNN is reporting a massive $33 million take for its opening day here in the U.S. – that’s Friday, September 12th, for those keeping track. What’s really impressive is that it officially broke the record previously held by *Pokémon: The First Movie* from way back in 1999. That’s a huge deal, and it signals this film is going to be a major player this fall.

The movie *Infinity Train* premiered in North American cinemas on September 12th. It’s the first film in a planned trilogy, with *Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle 2* scheduled for release in 2027 and a third movie to follow in 2029.

Animated Movies Studio Ghibli Fans Would Love

The Imaginary (2023)

Directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, a veteran of Studio Ghibli, *The Imaginary* tells the story of Rudger, an imaginary friend to a young girl named Amanda. After a sad event, Rudger learns he’ll vanish completely if Amanda forgets him. This touching and emotional film explores growing up, the power of friendship, and the magic of childhood, all brought to life with beautiful animation and imaginative adventures.

Flow (2024)

Studio Ghibli films often showcase the beauty of animals and nature, and the 2024 Oscar-winning film *Flow* is a great fit for fans of their work. This unique movie, with no dialogue or human characters, tells the story of a lone cat and other animals working together to survive after a devastating flood. It’s a stunning and moving story about overcoming hardship, brought to life with a dreamlike quality, beautiful scenery, and incredibly expressive animation.

Luca (2021)

As a critic, I’ve always felt Disney/Pixar’s *Luca* (2021) wears its Studio Ghibli inspiration on its sleeve – perhaps more than any other film on this list. It’s a beautifully charming story set on the Italian Riviera in the 1950s, about a young boy and his new best friend enjoying a magical summer. What really struck me was how much it felt like a classic Ghibli film: a sweet coming-of-age story with gorgeous scenery and relatable, low-pressure childhood conflicts, all focused on the power of friendship and the journey of growing up.

Long Way North (2015)

Released in 2015, the French animated film *Long Way North* tells the story of a young noblewoman in 19th-century Russia who sets out to find her grandfather, an explorer who disappeared during an Arctic expedition. While beautifully animated with a unique style, the film truly shines because of its adventurous spirit, its inspiring message of courage and self-reliance, and its strong female lead – qualities that are reminiscent of many beloved heroines from Studio Ghibli films.

Catnapped! (1995)

Released in 1995, *Catnapped!* is a fun and quirky animated film about a brother and sister who journey to a secret world populated by talking cats. They’re on a mission to save their dog, who’s been kidnapped by a villainous princess. The movie is known for its bright, colorful Japanese animation and unusual characters. Though it’s been compared to *The Cat Returns*, *Catnapped!* is faster-paced and more energetic.

Song of the Sea (2014)

Cartoon Saloon, like the renowned Studio Ghibli, draws heavily on cultural traditions for its storytelling – in their case, ancient Irish folklore. Their 2014 film, *Song of the Sea*, is a perfect example. It’s a beautifully animated and deeply moving story about a young boy who learns his sister isn’t just a little girl, but a magical creature called a selkie. He’s been blaming her for their mother’s death. Filled with stunning visuals reminiscent of a storybook, the film weaves together Celtic mythology, faeries, and magic, but at its heart, it’s a touching story about family and learning to forgive.

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Similar to the enchanting worlds created in Studio Ghibli films, Laika’s 2016 stop-motion movie, *Kubo and the Two Strings*, draws viewers into a beautifully detailed fantasy setting. The film follows a young boy in feudal Japan on a grand adventure to overcome the Moon King and protect his family. With its emotional story and inspiration from Japanese folklore, *Kubo and the Two Strings* combines exciting action with a touching story about growing up and the power of hope – themes often explored in the films of Hayao Miyazaki.

A Whisker Away (2020)

Released on Netflix in 2020, *A Whisker Away* is a sweet and romantic anime film about a high school girl who uses magic to turn into a cat so she can get closer to her crush. But when she can’t change back, she and the boy she likes journey to a hidden world of cats to try and reverse the spell. With its warm animation, charming coastal setting, and adorable talking cats, the film feels like a delightful throwback to Studio Ghibli’s *The Cat Returns*.

April and the Extraordinary World (2015)

The 2015 animated film *April and the Extraordinary World* follows a clever girl named April, her talking cat, and a young hustler as they search for April’s vanished parents. The story unfolds in a unique, steampunk-inspired Paris of the 1940s. With its imaginative setting, strong-willed heroine, and themes of family, adventure, and standing up for what you believe in, the film feels similar to the beloved works of Studio Ghibli, like *Kiki’s Delivery Service* and *Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind*.

The Deer King (2021)

Directed by Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji – both of whom collaborated with Hayao Miyazaki on *Spirited Away* – *The Deer King* tells the story of a former warrior and a young girl who escape from a salt mine after a strange attack by sick dogs. After escaping, both are bitten and the warrior must find a cure to prevent a devastating plague from wiping out the kingdom. The film, often compared to *Princess Mononoke*, powerfully combines themes of courage, the natural world, social inequality, war, and the bonds of chosen family.

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2025-09-19 23:27