Daniel Mercer
Spider-Man has once again outperformed the Avengers, this time at the box office. Following its impressive debut, Spider-Man: Brand New Day has not only edged past Avengers: Endgame for the highest-grossing opening weekend in history but has also continued to thrive, surpassing the film’s all-time domestic gross. Currently, Spider-Man: Brand New Day ranks as the second-highest-grossing film in U.S. history, with only Star Wars: The Force Awakens standing in the way of the top position.
This past Monday, Brand New Day earned approximately $3.4 million, which pushed its cumulative total to an impressive $858.4 million. This figure is significant because Avengers: Endgame concluded its theatrical run in 2019 with a total of $858.3 million. Spider-Man now trails by about $78 million behind 2015’s record-holder, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which achieved a staggering $936.7 million domestically.
Several factors contribute to this exciting race. Most notably, Brand New Day is only in its fourth week of release. In contrast, Avengers: Endgame required more than four and a half months to reach its final total. Based on this timeline, Spider-Man is on track to become the second film ever to surpass $900 million domestically and has a strong chance of overtaking Star Wars with relative ease.
There is a twist. Next month, Avengers: Endgame will be making a return to theaters with a special re-release titled Avengers: Endgame: Encore. Typically, the earnings from re-releases contribute to the overall gross, meaning that Endgame could reclaim the second place or even pose a challenge to Star Wars and Spider-Man for the all-time top spot. The success of Brand New Day serves as a reminder of Marvel’s enduring popularity.
In summary, moviegoers can expect an exciting few weeks ahead as box office records continue to be challenged. Reflecting on recent months, this summer has already seen the largest opening weekend in history, the highest-grossing R-rated film ever, and the most successful original film of the decade. Now, we are witnessing the second-highest-grossing film in U.S. history. The trend of record-breaking performances is set to continue.
Interested in more updates from io9? Discover when to anticipate the latest releases from Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, and find out what’s next for the DC Universe in film and TV, along with everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Brandon Fletcher
