Spider-Man’s Theatrical Re-Release Surpasses Shrek 2 at Box Office
Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man re-release surpasses Shrek 2 at the box office, generating impressive earnings and per-theater averages. Tobey Maguire’s iconic portrayal of the web-slinger continues to captivate audiences, solidifying Spider-Man’s enduring popularity.
Spider-Man’s Theatrical Re-Release Surpasses Shrek 2 at Box Office
In a surprising turn of events, two beloved blockbusters from over two decades ago have made their way back into the top 10 of the domestic box office charts. Following the successful re-release of DreamWorks’ Shrek 2 for its 20th anniversary, Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man outperformed it on Monday, garnering the highest per-theater average among all films currently in theaters.
( Credit to: Collider )
As part of Sony’s “Spider-Mondays” program, the 2002 superhero classic took the third spot on the Monday box office chart, trailing behind Civil War and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Despite being released on a third of Shrek 2’s screens, Spider-Man grossed an impressive $681,364 from 466 theaters nationwide, resulting in a per-theater average of nearly $1,500. In comparison, Shrek 2 generated $1.3 million over the weekend from over 1,500 screens, with a per-theater average of nearly $1,000. Notably, Shrek 2 debuted as the second-biggest domestic opening of all time, second only to Spider-Man.
( Credit to: Collider )
Spider-Man’s Enduring Popularity and Impact
Directed by Sam Raimi and starring Tobey Maguire as the iconic web-slinger, Spider-Man made cinematic history upon its release in 2002. It became the first film to gross over $100 million in its opening weekend and went on to become the third highest-grossing film of that year, amassing nearly $821 million worldwide. The film also received two Oscar nominations, further solidifying its impact on popular culture. With the inclusion of its re-release figures, Spider-Man’s current domestic box office stands at just over $404 million, making it the 44th highest-grossing film of all time and the second highest-grossing film in the live-action Spider-Man series.
The success of Spider-Man paved the way for two more installments in the original trilogy, with Raimi and Maguire returning for Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3. However, plans for a fourth film were ultimately abandoned in favor of a reboot. The subsequent series, directed by Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield as the titular hero, produced two films, The Amazing Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. In 2016, Tom Holland took on the role of Spider-Man, appearing in solo films as well as team-up movies as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In a thrilling crossover event, Maguire and Garfield reprised their roles alongside Holland in Spider-Man: No Way Home, which became the most successful installment in the live-action Spider-Man series.
Continuing the Spider-Mondays Festival
Building on the excitement surrounding Spider-Man’s resurgence, Sony Pictures plans to continue their “Spider-Mondays” festival by re-releasing several other films from the franchise. Audiences can look forward to experiencing Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Spider-Man: No Way Home in theaters over the next few weeks. Fans can secure their tickets for these special screenings and stay tuned for further updates.
The Timeless Appeal of Spider-Man
Spider-Man’s enduring popularity and the overwhelming response to its re-release highlight the timeless appeal of the friendly neighborhood superhero. As audiences continue to celebrate the iconic character’s legacy, Spider-Man’s web-slinging adventures are set to captivate new and longtime fans alike on the big screen once again.