Spider-Man: Brand New Day Nears All-Time Domestic Record as Labor Day Weekend Closes Summer

Key points

• Spider-Man: Brand New Day is projected to reach $922 million domestically by Monday, placing it $14 million behind the all-time record held by Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($936.6 million).
• The film has become the third-highest-grossing movie globally of all time, surpassing $2.33 billion and passing Avatar: The Way of Water.
• Ketchup Entertainment's Coyote vs. Acme holds strong in third place with an estimated $15.3 million over four days, bringing its domestic total to $37.8 million. The film is projected to recoup its $60 million acquisition and marketing costs when combined with foreign presales.
• Universal's The Odyssey ranks second with $16.4 million, reaching $588.1 million domestically and $1.6 billion worldwide. It is approaching the global record for Universal films held by Jurassic World.
• Paramount's By Any Means debuts in fourth with $8.5 million, while A24's Onslaught underperforms with $2.3 million. Roadside Attractions' horror film Buddy shows strong audience retention, rising 9% in its second weekend.

Background

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has dominated the box office since its release, consistently topping the charts for five consecutive weekends. In late August, it reached $891 million domestically, narrowing the gap to the all-time record. Coyote vs. Acme, a Looney Tunes comedy saved from shelving by Warner Bros., opened in early September to strong critical and audience reception, with a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score and an A CinemaScore. The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Tom Holland, has been a steady performer since July, while The Dog Stars, a dystopian drama, underperformed with an $8 million opening against an $80 million budget.

How outlets are covering it

TheWrap and Deadline both emphasize the historical significance of Spider-Man: Brand New Day approaching the all-time domestic record, with Deadline noting the summer total could reach $4.76 billion, surpassing the 2013 record. Variety highlights the film's speed to $900 million, beating The Force Awakens' 50-day mark. The Hollywood Reporter focuses on the film's sixth consecutive No. 1 position and its global ranking. All outlets agree on the strong performance of Coyote vs. Acme, with TheWrap noting its potential to recoup costs, while Deadline details its audience demographics (44% under 25, 52% male). TheWrap and Variety both note the mixed reception of By Any Means (52% critics, 87% audience), while Deadline highlights its 64% definite recommend score. All sources agree that Onslaught and The Dog Stars underperformed, with Deadline noting Onslaught's 54% Rotten Tomatoes score and The Dog Stars' 77% drop from its opening weekend.

Why it matters

The near-record domestic performance of Spider-Man: Brand New Day signals sustained audience demand for major tentpole films, even as the summer season winds down. The strong hold of Coyote vs. Acme demonstrates the viability of animated comedies with strong word-of-mouth, while the underperformance of Onslaught and The Dog Stars highlights the challenges for mid-budget and auteur-driven films in a crowded market. The potential all-time summer record ($4.76 billion) indicates a robust theatrical market, though the gap between top performers and new releases suggests a polarized audience landscape.

What to watch

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is expected to surpass Star Wars: The Force Awakens as the highest-grossing domestic film of all time (unadjusted) within the next week. The Odyssey may approach the global record for Universal films held by Jurassic World ($1.67 billion). Coyote vs. Acme is projected to recoup its $60 million budget when combined with foreign presales. The box office will shift to fall releases, including the 20th anniversary re-release of Cars and the new entry Fall 2: Deadpoint.