Slingshot across the Spider-Verse makes $120.5 million debut

“Into the Spider-Verse” grossed a whopping $120.5 million in its domestic debut. It beat expectations, earning $146 million for the second-biggest opening weekend of the year behind only the “Super Mario Bros. movie,” and the third-biggest opening weekend for any “Spider-Man” movie.

Sony’s animated sequel has benefited from critical acclaim and positive word-of-mouth, as well as the goodwill of its predecessor, 2018’s Oscar-winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” The initial box office gross was significantly higher than the first film, which introduced audiences to Miles Morales and the idea of ​​”anyone can wear a mask,” opened to just $35.5 million. But it stuck around in theaters, closing its big-screen run with $190 million in North America and $384 million worldwide.

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“It’s a great opening for an animated sequel,” said David A. Gross, who heads Franchise Entertainment Research, a film consultancy. “Into the Spider-Verse takes a beloved superhero, gives the storyline an original visual style and voice, and creates a unique experience.”

Joakim dos Santos, Kemp Bowles and Justin K. Thompson directed the $100 million “Across the Spider-Verse.” The story follows Miles and Gwen Stacy (aka Spider-Woman) trying to save their fellow Spider-Man from a villain named Spot. Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld return to voice Miles and Gwen, along with Brian Tyree Henry, Issa Rae, Jason Schwartzman, Daniel Kaluuya and Oscar Isaac. Audiences gave the film an “A” on CinemaScore, while critics gave it a 95% average on Rotten Tomatoes. Except Disney’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.” 3,” it’s been a minute since a superhero movie received such praise.

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“Across the Spider-Verse” topped the list, but it wasn’t the only new entrant at the box office. Disney and the 20th-century “Ghost,” based on Stephen King’s short story of the same name, came in third with $12.3 million from 3,205 theaters. The horror story added $7.7 million at the international box office, bringing its weekend total to $20 million worldwide.

The movie, which came in slightly below expectations, was supposed to premiere on Hulu and cost just $35 million to make. Critics and audiences have had mixed reviews for “Ghost,” starring “Yellow Shirts” actors Sophie Thatcher and Chris Messina. It has a 60% share on Rotten Tomatoes and a “B-” CinemaScore.

Disney’s remake of “The Little Mermaid,” which stars Halle Bailey as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, slipped to No. 2 with $40.6 million from 4,320 openings in its second weekend. That’s down 57 percent from its debut. To date, The Little Mermaid has grossed $186 million in North America. Overseas, the undersea tale grossed $42 million in its sophomore year, bringing it to $140 million international and $326 million worldwide.

Disney has three films in the top five, such as Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3″ came in fourth with $10.2 million. To date, the superhero trilogy has grossed $332 million domestically and a whopping $780 million worldwide.

Universal’s “Fast X” rounded out the top five, gaining $9.2 million from 3,467 locations in its third opening. It grossed $128 million domestically, which isn’t all that promising for a blockbuster of its size. However, it did much better at the international box office, reaching $474 million, taking it past the $600 million mark worldwide.

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