CJ CGV’s 4DX rides success with 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle'

A poster for the animated film “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” / Courtesy of CJ CGV

The animated film “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” is seeing unprecedented success in CJ CGV’s 4DX theaters, not only in Korea but also globally, recording an exceptional sales rate.

The cinema chain announced the Japanese animation packed out local 4DX theaters with over 90 percent seat occupancy during the first weekend since its release on Aug. 22. The number sets new opening weekend records, previously held by the 2022 sci-fi film “Avatar: The Way of Water.”

The popularity of the 4DX experience for the film extends worldwide, scoring 80 percent occupancy on average for the film. In countries like Malaysia, Vietnam and Macau, the movie saw the highest opening weekend 4DX gross of the year. Taiwan proved especially strong, maintaining an average occupancy of over 90 percent for the week after it opened on Aug. 15.

The 4DX screening offers an immersive viewing experience for the audience with action sequences brought to life through multisensory effects. For one of the key battle scenes between characters Shinobu and Doma, audiences are immersed with fragrance and cooling effects, while the scene between Zenitsu and Kaigaku features seat vibrations, flashes and thunder simulations.

The film’s climactic battle scene between Tanjiro and Giyu against Akaza showcases the full range of 4DX effects, including motion chairs, water sprays, wind blasts, heated air and strobe lighting, creating a fully immersive experience for the fans.

This latest trend follows the massive popularity of the Hollywood sports film “F1,” which drew 4.5 million ticket sales for 4DX in Korea since its release in late June, marking a new wave of 4DX-driven box office growth. Now, with “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” in play, the company is expected to see a further boost, signaling 2025 to be a breakout year for 4DX worldwide.

“The 4DX success that began earlier this year with the film ‘F1’ has now carried over to ‘Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle,’ once again proving the strong demand and interest in premium cinema formats,” CGV said in a press release.

“Especially with seat occupancy running over four times the global average, it is clear 4DX is not limited to just one genre but appeals across blockbusters, animation and beyond. Moving forward, CGV will continue expanding these premium formats to offer moviegoers truly unique theater experiences.”