Record opening for Spider-Man 2
The blockbuster sequel has opened to good reviews
Spider-Man 2 made a record-breaking debut in the US on Wednesday, making $40.5m (£22.2m) on it first day in movie theatres across North America.
"We are off to a phenomenal start," Jeff Blake, vice-chairman of the film's distributor Sony, said on Thursday.
The film broke the $39.4m (£21.6m) record set by the original Spider-Man film on its first day two years ago.
Analysts in the US say the film has a strong chance of breaking single-day records over the 4 July weekend.
Spider-Man 2 could also break the $114.8m (£63.4m) three-day US box-office record held by the original Spider-Man film, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of film box-office analysts Exhibitor Relations.
I remember when $40m was a big opening weekend for a movie not that long ago
Paul Dergarabedian
Exhibitor Relations
The record-breaking first day figure proved even more exceptional because the film opened on a Wednesday instead of the normal Friday.
"We're in uncharted territory looking at midweek numbers this big," Mr Dergarabedian said.
Rings record
"I remember when $40m was a big opening weekend for a movie not that long ago, and now that's a single day in the middle of the week."
The previous best debut for a Wednesday opening was set by The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King last December, which made $34.5m (£18.9m).
Mr Dergarabedian said Spider-Man 2 also had a high chance of breaking the $44.8m (£24.6m) single-day box office record recently set by animated sequel Shrek 2 on the Saturday of the film's opening weekend.
Spider-Man 2, which opens in the UK on 15 July, reunites leading man Tobey Maguire with co-star Kirsten Dunst and director Sam Raimi.
Sony had originally planned for the film to come out on Friday 2 July in the US, but brought it forward to a Wednesday opening to capitalise on the four-day 4 July holiday weekend
BBC
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