“Spider-Verse 2” scores the third-highest opening for an animation – Variety

Sony

They want spider-man pictures. Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” took in $51.75 million on Friday from 4,313 locations, a figure that includes about $17.35 million in Thursday previews. It is the biggest opening day of the year so far, surpassing the $48.1 million grossed by “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.”

The animated superhero adventure has already surpassed its $80 million or so projection heading into the weekend, with the film now looking to crack $113 million for its debut through Sunday.

The original 2018 “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” performed closer to the traditional animated version, making $35 million domestically before hitting $190 million over the holiday season. This remake has the momentum of a glamorous summer blockbuster, looking to more than triple the debut of its predecessor. The figure of $51.75 million marked the third-highest opening day ever for an animated release. The movie is also getting a boost from ticket sales for high quality halls like Imax.

This massive rise in box office draws can be attributed to the sensation. “Into the Spider-Verse” finished its theatrical run with around $375 million worldwide, but has garnered acclaim from critics and audiences for its stunning, shape-bending animation and modern comedic punch. The film rode all the way to the Academy Awards, becoming the first comic book adaptation to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

After growing its following for nearly five years, the Spider-Verse series has finally launched its sequel to an enthusiastic audience. Reviews are again positive across the board, with a 95% approval rating from top critics on aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes. The audience is also on board, as indicated by the “A” grade assigned by ticket buyers through research firm Cinema Score.

in diverseLeading film critic Owen Gleiberman offered some over-the-top praise, writing that “the film propels the story into dazzling new realms that make it a true spiritual companion piece to the first film. This one turns our heads and then some; this one turns our heads even more.”

Across the Spider-Verse features returning cast members Shamick Moore as Miles Morales, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, and Jake Johnson as Peter P. Parker as a trio of spider-guards on a journey between dimensions once again. New characters include Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac), Jessica Drew (Issa Rai), Spider-Man India (Karan Soni), and Spider-Man (Daniel Kaluuya). A sequel, Beyond the Spider-Verse, is scheduled for release in March 2024.

The next three slots on the domestic charts went to Disney’s block of releases. The studio’s new live-action movie “The Little Mermaid” took in $11.8 million on Friday, down nearly 69% from its opening day last week. The underwater musical appears to add nearly $40 million to its sophomore outing, pushing its domestic total to around $186 million. This would have set the same pace as the 2019 remake of “Aladdin,” which grossed $185 million within its first 10 days of release and finished with $355 million in North America.

“The Boogeyman,” a remake of horror from Disney’s 20th Century Studios banner, took in $4.8 million on Friday. Thriller The Beast Under The Bed is looking to open at a low eight figures – not the strongest result given its $35 million production budget, but already more than it would have if the movie had been released directly on Hulu. Originally scheduled. Performances of positive tests in the 20th century led to the transformation into a stage show.

Adapted from Stephen King’s 1973 short story of the same name, it stars Chris Messina, Sophie Thatcher, and Vivien Lyra Blair as a father and his two daughters grappling with the death of the paterfamilias – plus an unwelcome house guest. Hint: It’s Boogeyman. Rob Savage directed the feature.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is eyeing another strong contract, adding $2.9 million on Friday with expectations of around $10 million for the three-day frame. Now in its fifth weekend of release, the Marvel trilogy capper has grossed over $300 million at the domestic box office and $750 million worldwide.

Universal Fast X continues to show diminishing returns in North America, facing a 61% drop in its third weekend to $9 million. The vigilante ensemble piece will push its domestic total to $128 million through Sunday, slightly surpassing its “F9” predecessor, even though that 2021 film was released during the first few months of a post-COVID box office rebound. “Fast X” is doing much stronger overseas, with nearly 80% of its worldwide total of $524 million coming from international markets.