Why the Latest Demon Slayer Movie Release is a Game-Changer for Streaming Fans

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The possibility of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle arriving on streaming services in 2026 appears dimmer following the film’s newest update.

According to Oricon, Part 1 of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is set to have a special IMAX edition released in theaters starting February 6. This marks a historic first for Japanese anime films, as it will be showcased utilizing IMAX’s unique 1.43:1 aspect ratio. This format will allow certain scenes to expand vertically, surpassing traditional frame boundaries. A new promotional video highlighting this aspect ratio change was released in conjunction with the announcement.

Although this update is a significant achievement for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, the focus on an extended theatrical presence may disappoint fans hoping for an earlier streaming release. The emphasis on cinema screenings suggests a delay in streaming availability. However, this approach is likely to be financially advantageous for the production team and investors, as revenue from box office sales is expected to surpass potential earnings from streaming platforms.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Anime Movie Streaming Release Will Likely Be Delayed

While the latest update marks a historical milestone for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, the fact that the movie is doubling down on its theatrical run could spell bad news for fans, as it will likely only push the streaming release dates further back. However, this theater-first strategy is a financial win-win for the production committee and stakeholders, as they stand to earn significantly more from box office admissions compared to a streaming release.

Interestingly, Demon Slayer’s official English-language X (formerly Twitter) account made a post in November last year urging fans to watch the film “exclusively in theaters in 2026.” Though the post was deleted, the statement has surprisingly turned out to be true for viewers in Japan.

Initial screenings for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’s IMAX edition are scheduled for the Grand Cinema Sunshine Ikebukuro in Tokyo and 109 Cinemas Osaka Expo City, where viewers can experience the “Akaza Returns” chapter with added visual depth. To commemorate the event, the production committee has confirmed an exclusive admission bonus — an A5-sized IMAX Visual Illustration Board limited to 100,000 units nationwide.

Since its initial Japanese debut on July 18, 2025, the first Infinity Castle film has rewritten the history books of Japanese cinema. The movie grossed over 39.08 billion yen (approximately US$247 million) in Japan by January 2026, setting new records at every stage. However, it has (thus far) failed to scale the peak set by its predecessor, Mugen Train, and is still the second-highest-grossing film in the country’s history.

The film’s North American debut came on Sept. 12, 2025, and it once again continued its stellar performance overseas. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle brought in roughly US$134.5 million, securing its place as the highest-grossing international release in the region’s history. It also broke the record for the highest opening weekend collection, debuting with US$70 million.

However, despite the global box office rage, Infinity Castle faced a cooler reception during the 2026 awards season. The film secured a nomination at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards but ultimately lost the award for Best Motion Picture – Animated to Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters.

The bad news has continued with the announcement of the 98th Academy Awards nominations, where Demon Slayer failed to secure a spot in the Best Animated Feature category, once again losing out to KPop Demon Hunters and other titles.