‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ scores third-best opening in cinematic history with $253 million haul

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” shattered pandemic box office records this weekend, opening with an estimated $253 million in ticket sales.

Not only is this the highest film debut of 2021, it is the third-best opening of all time behind “Avengers: Endgame” and “Avengers: Infinity War.” Sony’s Sunday number is an estimate, however, and by Monday this figure could potentially change slightly, lifting “No Way Home” higher on the charts.

After all, Marvel’s “No Way Home” is not far behind “Infinity War,” which opened with $257.6 million in 2018. “Avengers: Endgame” is the highest-grossing film opening of all time with $357.1 million.

“This weekend’s historic ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ results, from all over the world and in the face of many challenges, reaffirm the unmatched cultural impact that exclusive theatrical films can have when they are made and marketed with vision and resolve,” said Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group.

Audiences rushed to theaters early this weekend to catch “No Way Home” before potential spoilers could be leaked online, leading to a $121.5 million haul on Friday, including $50 million from Thursday night preview shows. Sony reported that the film added $73.8 million on Saturday and estimates around $57.3 million in ticket sales by the end of Sunday.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.