Sony Pictures announced on Monday that “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” set a new North American opening weekend record, surpassing “Avengers: Endgame” with $360 million in ticket sales from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. Initially projected to earn $355 million in its debut weekend at 4,487 theaters, the film starring Tom Holland outperformed expectations on Sunday, securing the top spot.
Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, expressed pride in breaking records, highlighting the significance of this achievement. Prior to “Avengers: Endgame,” no movie had exceeded $300 million domestically in opening weekend sales. Notable predecessors include “Avengers: Infinity War” with a $257 million debut in 2018 and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at $247 million in 2015. In December 2021, amid the pandemic, the third installment of Holland’s Spider-Man series, “No Way Home,” debuted with $260 million domestically and went on to amass $1.9 billion worldwide.
The success of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “The Odyssey,” featuring shared cast members Holland, Zendaya, and Jon Bernthal, contributed to a record-breaking weekend for U.S. and Canadian cinemas. Additionally, data from box-office analytics company Rentrak indicates a more than 15% increase in domestic box office revenue, totaling over $6.2 billion in ticket sales so far this year.
The latest Spider-Man installment challenges viewers with a darker tone as the iconic superhero navigates personal struggles while battling crime in New York. Some critics question whether the film’s ambitious narrative risks diluting its grounded essence.