“Him” topped the domestic box office on its opening day, taking in $6.47 million, according to The Numbers. The supernatural psychological sports horror, produced by Jordan Peele and starring Marlon Wayans, drew early attention, but reviews were mixed; the Los Angeles Times described the film as punting on plot. The Hollywood Reporter projects a roughly $15 million weekend total for the title, suggesting a solid start but limited room for growth.
The Japanese animated action feature Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – the Movie Infinity Castle finished second, pulling in about $4.565 million. The Conjuring: Last Rites was third on its third Friday in theaters, with a $3.7 million take. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale settled into fourth place on its second Friday with $1.94 million, while A Big Bold Beautiful Journey opened in fifth with roughly $1.4 million. The film’s reception has ranged widely across outlets: The Post called Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale legitimately engrossing, while it described A Big Bold Beautiful Journey as a big bag of BS.
Demon Slayer, distributed by Sony Pictures, leveraged a built-in international following as it opened in the runner-up spot behind Him. The film’s strong performance on Friday underscores the continuing interest in anime franchises at U.S. theaters, even as live-action titles compete in the same window. The Conjuring: Last Rites, entering its third weekend, continues to perform within the horror franchise circuit, while Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale marks the final installment in a long-running franchise with a dedicated fan base. The mix of genres in the top five illustrates a varied slate across audience segments, from horror and fantasy to prestige drama.
Looking ahead, industry observers will be watching how the rest of the weekend shakes out as Saturday and Sunday grosses could shift the final standings. The Numbers and The Hollywood Reporter both highlight that opening-day momentum can be a strong but not definitive indicator of weekend performance, with factors such as audience word-of-mouth, critical reception, and competition shaping final figures. The current lineup, featuring a mix of high-concept horror, animated spectacle, and prestige drama, suggests a broad but nuanced box-office landscape for the early autumn season.