LOS ANGELES — The big-screen adaptation of the popular anime series “Chainsaw Man” has surged to the top of the North American box office, surpassing a biopic about the legendary Bruce Springsteen and the horror sequel “Black Phone 2.” The film, titled “Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc,” grossed an impressive $17.25 million this past weekend in theaters across the U.S. and Canada, according to Comscore’s estimates.
This success marks a continued trend for anime films, especially after “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle” made headlines last month by raking in a record $70 million, setting a new threshold for anime box office performances.
In its second week, “Black Phone 2” dropped to the second spot, earning $13 million. Two notable new releases also made an impact: the romantic comedy “Regretting You,” which brought in $12.85 million, and “Springsteen — Deliver Me From Nowhere,” the first biopic about the iconic musician, which amassed $9.1 million. “Tron: Ares” rounded out the top five with box office earnings of $4.9 million.
“Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc” presents a unique narrative, featuring a demon hunter whose limbs can morph into chainsaws. This film, which is a self-contained adaptation of the manga series created by Tatsuki Fujimoto, weaves elements of romance with intense action and adventure, capturing the essence of the original anime series which premiered in 2022.
This win reinforces the success of Sony-owned Crunchyroll, which also brought “Infinity Castle” to audiences last month. Globally, “Chainsaw Man” has made approximately $108,000 to date.
On a different note, “Deliver Me From Nowhere,” featuring Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen, delves into the artist’s challenges during the creation of his 1982 album, “Nebraska.” White needed to master the guitar and improve his vocal skills for the role, with Springsteen himself involved in the production process. The film received a B+ on CinemaScore, contrasting with the A score given to “Chainsaw Man” by audiences.
“Black Phone 2,” featuring Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames, serves as a follow-up to the successful original from 2021, with total domestic earnings nearing $50 million and more than $80 million worldwide.
“Regretting You,” which stars Dave Franco and Alison Williams among others, is based on a popular novel by Colleen Hoover and adds to the variety of films currently captivating audiences.
The following is the ranking of the top 10 movies by domestic box office for the weekend, highlighting strong attendance at theaters:
1. “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc,” $17.3 million
2. “Black Phone 2,” $13 million
3. “Regretting You,” $12.9 million
4. “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” $9.1 million
5. “Tron: Ares,” $4.9 million
6. “Good Fortune,” $3.1 million
7. “Shelby Oaks,” $2.4 million
8. “One Battle After Another,” $2.3 million
9. “Roofman,” $2 million
10. “ParaNorman (Remastered),” $991,910
The box office performance this weekend indicates a diverse range of viewer interests, from anime adaptations to biographical narratives, enhancing the cinematic landscape.