“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” has bagged $17.35 million in previews at the box office on Thursday.
This weekend, the animated sequel is anticipated to debut to an estimated $80 million in ticket sales, with some estimates as high as $90 million. It’s a significant improvement over the original film, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” which scored $3.5 million in Thursday previews and debuted at $35.4 million in 2018.
Along with having the second-highest preview gross for an animated picture (after “The Incredible 2” with $18.5 million) and the second-highest previews of any “Spider-Man” movie (behind “Spider-Man: No Way Home” with $50 million) on Thursday. “Across the Spider-Verse” also has the second-highest preview gross for any animated film.
Several of the actors from the first film are back, including Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker, and Shameik Moore as Miles Morales. Miles has adjusted to his obligations as Spider-Man after gaining his spider abilities in “Into the Spider-Verse” and encountering various versions of the web-slinging hero. He encounters even more Spider-People in the follow-up, such as Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac), Jessica Drew (Issa Rae), Spider-Man India (Karan Soni), and Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya).
The majority of the reviews have been favorable, which is noteworthy considering how well-liked “Into the Spider-Verse” was already among critics and Spidey fans. They’ve done it, chief film reviewer Owen Gleiberman penned in his Variety review. Miles Morales’ story is not the only one that is expanded upon in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”
The movie takes that story in brand-new, mind-blowing directions, making it a true spiritual sequel to the first movie. This one is even more confusing than the previous one was (and would fans like myself prefer it any other way?).
A live-action Miles Morales and animation “Spider-Woman” movie are among the spinoffs that are reportedly in the works, in addition to the third film, “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,” which is scheduled for release on March 29, 2024.
