It looks like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle will be exclusively available to watch in theatres worldwide throughout 2025, as Crunchyroll confirms that it won’t be arriving on their platform until 2026. Fans were hoping for it to become more accessible in late 2025, but this will not be the case until a year after its release.
This was a highly unusual move by Crunchyroll, as the previous movies in the franchise were made available on the platform shortly after their theatrical release. Moreover, fans could also watch it in episode format through the Demon Slayer anime.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is a unique case where the movie won’t be accessible for half a year or more, which forces fans to catch it in theatres.
Why Streaming Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Will Be Delayed Until 2026
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle was one of the most highly anticipated anime movies before its release. It has been two months since its initial opening in Japan on July 18, 2025. As of September 19, 2025, it is finally available worldwide. The movie has broken box office records, surpassing the high expectations we had of it.
The movie has also become one of the biggest anime events of the decade, with fans in cosplay gathering at theatres to witness the epic. It’s even more impressive as this is only the first part of the trilogy of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movies to grace us. Imagine the collective box office records.
This is why Crunchyroll has decided to keep Infinity Castle in theatres for 2025, rather than make it accessible. Mitchel Berger, Executive Vice President of Global Commerce, spoke to Popverse about it at length. It’s to encourage fans to watch the movie in theatres, as that would give them the best experience.
Berger further warns fans that Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle will not be available for streaming until 2026, so the theatre is the only method in 2025. It’s quite a change from the streaming culture that we’ve cultivated in recent years. However, the box office records clearly show fans have no issues with catching it in theatres.
Here are some statistics for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, including how much it’s earned worldwide and the ratings:
There’s no denying that the movie is immensely successful. It will continue to be the biggest anime movie of 2025, even with the release of Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution, and more.
The Pros and Cons of Keeping Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Exclusively in Theatres
The positive aspect of keeping Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle in theatres is that it promotes the culture we’ve forgotten due to streaming and lets it grow. We need to keep them alive and running, and Infinity Castle is a huge opportunity for them to bring in more customers. It’s not as if the movie won’t be available for streaming at all; fans just have to be patient.
There is, however, a huge downside to keeping it exclusively in theatres. Getting tickets is undeniably expensive in many countries, and some fans might not be able to afford such a high cost. Streaming is far more welcoming and open, especially for fans who aren’t physically able to go.
Overall, the business model Crunchyroll has implemented has its ups and downs. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is an excellent movie to experience in theatres, with gorgeous animation and performances. However, many fans will also be left behind by it.
What do you think of Crunchyroll delaying the streaming date until 2026? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is currently in theatres worldwide.
