It's been far too long since we've had exciting box office news to share with you, especially as pretty much everything released this year has limped from minor milestone to minor milestone thanks to COVID-19. Spider-Man: No Way Home is an altogether different beast (arachnid?), though, as it managed to open at the global box office this weekend with a mind-blowing $600.8 million.
It's only the third movie to ever hit that number in a launch frame and is already the #6 movie of 2021. Within days, it should become the year's highest-grossing title, and all without China's help.
Webbing up $340.8 million overseas (which is a little more than the $334.2 million estimate), Spider-Man: No Way Home is once again #2 to only Avengers: Endgame with the second best worldwide opening weekend in box office history. Achieving this feat during a pandemic, especially with the rise of a new variant, is staggering and more proof that Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures have something special on their hands with Tom Holland's take on the wall-crawler.
Analysts believe the threequel could hit $800 million - $900 million before its second weekend, so $1 billion is right around the corner. If this doesn't strengthen the relationship between the two studios and encourage them to continue working together on Spidey's solo outings, nothing will.
Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group Chairman and CEO Tom Rothman has shared a letter with the studio's employees and you can read that below (via Deadline).
Dear Colleagues,
I want to congratulate each and every one of you this morning, in our offices around the world and here in Culver City. As you all know, Spider-man: No Way Home, roared to historic box office success this weekend, setting multiple records across the globe in the first days of its exclusive theatrical window. In the face of obviously challenging circumstances, this victory is even more impressive and a great testament to the continued cultural impact that theatrical films deliver. Their power does, and will ,endure. Spidey and Sony have struck a mighty blow to demonstrate just that.
I would like to thank our producing and filmmaker partners for their extraordinary efforts, Tony and Tokyo for their support, and especially all of you for your hard work and dedication throughout the year. Your belief has been our superpower. It is the holiday season and I’m sure you join me in feeling proud that Sony can help bring joy to audiences with this wonderful film.
I close by wishing all of you a happy and healthy holiday season.
Excelsior,
Tom