The North American box office experienced a significant slowdown in the third weekend of September 2025, following two strong weekends driven by major releases. After standout performances from films like The Conjuring: Last Rights and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, new releases failed to maintain the momentum, leading to a nearly 50% drop in overall ticket sales compared to the previous weekend. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the box office performance, key films, and what’s next for the industry.
1. Box Office Overview
The North American box office, encompassing the United States and Canada, saw a sharp decline in ticket sales for the weekend of September 19-21, 2025, totaling approximately $77 million. This marked a 49% drop from the previous weekend, when Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle led with strong earnings. The slowdown was attributed to underwhelming performances from new releases, including a Jordan Peele-produced horror film and a romantic drama starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell.
2. Top Performers: Demon Slayer and Him
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle: This anime film, distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures, retained the top spot with $17.3 million in ticket sales. With a cumulative total of $104.7 million, it became the highest-grossing anime film ever in North America. Its success highlights the growing popularity of anime in the region, appealing to a wide audience with its action-packed storytelling.
- Him: The Jordan Peele-produced horror film, released by Universal Pictures, opened in second place with $13.5 million from 3,168 theaters. Directed by Justin Tipping, Him follows a young quarterback (Tyriq Withers) training under a veteran (Marlon Wayans) in an isolated setting. Despite high expectations due to Peele’s track record, the film received poor reviews (29% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a C- CinemaScore from audiences, indicating weak reception. Internationally, it earned just $400,000, suggesting limited global appeal.
3. Other Notable Films
- The Conjuring: Last Rights: In its third weekend, this horror film added $13 million, narrowly trailing Him. With a global total of $400 million, it became the highest-grossing film in the Conjuring franchise, showcasing the enduring popularity of the series.
- A Big Bold Beautiful Journey: This romantic drama, starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell, disappointed with just $3.5 million from 3,300 locations. Released by Sony Pictures, the film received negative reviews (37% on Rotten Tomatoes) and failed to connect with audiences, marking a rare misstep for its high-profile stars.
- Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale: In its second weekend, this film earned $6.3 million, bringing its domestic total to $31.6 million. Its consistent performance reflects the loyal fanbase of the Downton Abbey franchise.
- The Long Walk: The Stephen King adaptation added $6.3 million in its second weekend, down 46% from its debut. With a domestic total of $22.7 million, it has already surpassed its $20 million production budget, indicating a modest success for Lionsgate.
- Apollo 13: For its 30th anniversary, Ron Howard’s 1995 classic played in 200 theaters, earning $600,000. The re-release tapped into nostalgia for the historical drama.
4. Why the Slowdown?
The box office dip can be attributed to several factors:
- Weak Reception of New Releases: Both Him and A Big Bold Beautiful Journey failed to resonate with audiences or critics, lacking the draw of earlier September hits like The Conjuring: Last Rights and Demon Slayer.
- Market Fatigue: After two strong weekends, audiences may have been less eager to visit theaters, especially with less compelling new options.
- Competition from Holdovers: Strong performances from Demon Slayer and The Conjuring: Last Rights likely drew audiences away from new releases.
5. Looking Ahead
The box office is expected to rebound with upcoming releases. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, set for release next weekend, is generating buzz, though Anderson’s biggest hit, There Will Be Blood (2007), grossed just $76 million worldwide, suggesting a niche appeal. Additionally, AMC Theaters will host a release party for Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl from October 3-5, 2025, across all 540 of its U.S. locations. This 90-minute event could attract Swift’s massive fanbase, potentially boosting ticket sales.
6. Industry Trends
The September slowdown highlights broader trends in the North American box office. Anime films like Demon Slayer continue to gain traction, reflecting a growing appetite for diverse genres. Meanwhile, horror remains a reliable draw, as seen with The Conjuring: Last Rights, though Him’s poor performance shows that even big names like Jordan Peele aren’t immune to flops. The underperformance of A Big Bold Beautiful Journey suggests audiences may be less interested in original romantic dramas compared to franchise-driven or genre-specific films.
7. Economic Context
The North American box office is projected to grow by 6.72% from 2024 to 2029, reaching a market volume of $16.31 billion, driven by demand for franchises, sequels, and enhanced theater experiences like IMAX and luxury seating. However, challenges like competition from streaming services and economic pressures could impact recovery, as seen in this weekend’s dip.
8. Conclusion
While September 2025 started strong with The Conjuring: Last Rights and Demon Slayer, the third weekend showed the volatility of the box office. Weak new releases and audience fatigue led to a significant drop, but upcoming films and events like Taylor Swift’s album release party signal potential recovery. The success of anime and horror films underscores the diverse tastes of North American moviegoers, setting the stage for an exciting fall season.
