Spider-Man: No Way Homeshattered box office records during its opening weekend, despite the pandemic.
The superhero sequel earned $253 million at the domestic box office in its opening weekend alone, theAssociated Pressreported. That means the film — which stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch and more — now holds the biggest opening weekend haul for 2021, topping another sequel set in the Spider-Man world,Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
The film’s success also makes it the third-best movie opening ever, next toAvengers: Endgamethat grossed $357.1 million, andAvengers: Infinity Warwhich brought in a whopping $257.7 million.
“This weekend’s historicSpider-Man: No Way Homeresults, from all over the world and in the face of many challenges, reaffirm the unmatched cultural impact that exclusive theatrical films can have when they are made and marketed with vision and resolve,” said Tom Rothman, Sony Pictures chairman and CEO, in a statement to the AP.
“All of us at Sony Pictures are deeply grateful to the fabulous talent, both in front of and behind the camera, that produced such a landmark film.”
The AP added that within only five days of being in theaters internationally, the film earned $334.2 million, making its combined global total $587.2 million.
Tom Holland inSpider-Man: No Way Home(2021).Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection
Thethird installmentin the Spider-Man franchise follows Peter Parker (Holland) after the world finds out his superhero identity. Wishing to return to the way things were before everyone knew he is Spider-Man, Peter enlists help from Doctor Strange (Cumberbatch) to change the course of history.
However, things eventually go haywire when the two unintentionally break open the multiverse and villains from alternate realities start coming after Peter.
Holland, 25, recentlytold PEOPLE about playing Peter Parker/Spider-Manover the years, saying, “I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve been so grateful to Marvel and Sony for giving us the opportunity and keeping us on and allowing our characters to progress. It’s been amazing.”
Amy Sussman/Getty
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The latestSpider-Manfilm — which culminates decades of formerSpider-Manfranchises as the old characters return —debuted to favorable reviewslast week. Most critics, likeInsider’s Kirsten Acuna, played up the shared theatrical experience, seeing it with other fans.
“This is a film you want to experience with other people. You want to collectively cheer and cry out and react,” wrote Acuna. “Not every film necessitates that.No Way Homeis the first time sinceAvengers: Endgamewhere I’ve truly felt the presence of an audience would only add to your experience because of the nature of the film.”
The film’s performance comes as COVID-19 cases spike in certain areas around the countrywith more variants popping up. In New York City, for example, a fewBroadway shows were canceled temporarilydue to an abundance of caution amid outbreaks.
Spider-Man: No Way Homeis now playing in theaters.
source: people.com
