Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc Box Office Rebound and 3D Renewal in India

Just weeks after wrapping a theatrical run, the Japanese anime film "Chainsaw Man: The Movie: Reze Arc" is getting a second chance in Indian cinemas, this time in 3D.

Sony Pictures India announced that the film will return to theaters Oct. 31 in the premium format, an unusual move that reflects both the growing appetite for Japanese animation in India and distributors' willingness to experiment with repositioning content that underperforms initially.

Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc opened in India with a modest ₹0.50 crore on Day 1. Unlike the success of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, which penetrated in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities with regional dubs, Reze Arc’s main viewership consolidated in metro cities. However, within its 17-day-run in Indian theatres the movie saw a rebound and closed with a ₹5.42 crore box office record. 

Globally, "Reze Arc" has collected $59 million, including a strong Japanese debut that exceeded 1.3 billion yen in its opening weekend, according to Box Office Mojo.

Reze Arc’s 3D Renewal and Indian Anime Landscape

The 3D re-release marks an effort to capitalize on the film's ongoing momentum from its U.S. rollout. PVR INOX Pictures, India's largest cinema chain, is betting that the enhanced format will draw both returning viewers and audiences who missed the initial run. The movie continues to run in Mumbai in 2D and MX4D formats, attracting audiences even on weekdays.

The theatrical revival tests whether India's anime fans will pay premium prices for re-engineered versions of moderately successful titles, rather than just turning out for new releases. For distributors, the 3D relaunch represents an attempt to stretch revenue through higher-priced tickets targeted at dedicated fans. The re-release will feature Japanese audio with English subtitles. Sony Pictures India hasn't disclosed ticket pricing for the premium format screenings.

The move comes as India's anime market remains in formation, with distributors still determining which content resonates beyond core fan bases and whether less-popular titles can sustain commercial runs through format innovations.