In just three weeks, the sequel has grossed $277 million internationally, including an additonal estimated $116 million this weekend, for a worldwide haul nearing $370 million.
Sony has a lot riding on “The Amazing Spider-Man 2″ — and the film didn’t disappoint even if it did fall short of similar Stateside summer openers, including “Iron Man 3,” which blew the doors off last season with its massive $174 million domestic start.
It’s become tradition for the May-August box office season to begin with the latest Marvel superhero pic, including two previous Spidey installments. (The first “Spider-Man” opened with $114 million in 2002; “Spider-Man 3″ grossed $151 million in 2007.)
The original, however, benefited from being the first of its kind from the comic-book brand, while the three-quel saw built-up audience energy as the finale in the “Spider-Man” trilogy.
All the same, this year, Disney and Marvel essentially kicked off summer-like moviegoing in early April, with “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” proving that franchise’s mettle with moviegoers, grossing $95 million opening weekend. The “Captain” sequel, which so far has collected a whopping $680 million globally, likely stole some of “Spider-Man’s” thunder; this weekend, “Winter Solder” grossed $7.8 million — down just 52% — even with “Spider-Man” entering the market.