Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero has already been a massive success in Japan, and now that success is translating overseas.
According to a recent update from Crunchyroll, the recently released film has just passed a major milestone for anime films in the United States, reaching $30 million at the box office. This makes it the fifth-highest-grossing anime film of all time in the country, and bumps it past Dragon Ball Super: Broly as the highest-grossing Dragon Ball film ever in United States box office history.
After opening on August 19 in the United States, the film was helped by its major popularity and by the fact that there were no other major blockbusters out in theaters at the time. That, partnered with the film being the widest theatrical release ever for Crunchyroll in North America — including being presented in formats like IMAX — led to the film’s massive climb at the box office.
While Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is unlikely to take over the #1 spot in the U.S. box office for anime films (which belongs to Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back at $85 million), it can continue to climb. The fourth spot is currently held by Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie, which earned $34.5 million during its run in 2022 and could see itself drop to five if Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero continues to perform well.
“The Red Ribbon Army was once destroyed by Son Goku. Individuals who carry on its spirit have created the ultimate Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2,” reads the official synopsis for the film. “These two Androids call themselves ‘Super Heroes.’ They start attacking Piccolo and Gohan … What is the New Red Ribbon Army’s objective? In the face of approaching danger, it is time to awaken, Super Hero!”
