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Quite amazing, but not unexpected:
LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- "Spider-Man 2," one of the most highly anticipated films of the summer, snared a record $40.5 million on Wednesday, the biggest box office for any movie on its opening day, Sony Pictures Entertainment said Thursday.
The first-day U.S.-Canadian haul for "Spider-Man 2," starring Tobey Maguire as the web-slinging Marvel comics superhero, topped the previous opening-day record of $39.4 million, set by the original "Spider-Man" movie, which made its debut on a Friday in May 2002, the Sony Corp. studio said.
Fueled by glowing reviews and a built-in fan base generated from the success of the first "Spider-Man" film, the highly promoted sequel also shattered the previous record Wednesday opening, set by "The Lord of Rings: The Return of the King" which debuted with $34.5 million in December.
Fans, some donned in red-and-blue Spidey suits, lined up at some of the 4,152 theaters showing "Spider-Man 2" in the United States and Canada.
That tally was just 11 shy of the record 4,163 for the "Shrek 2" debut in May, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.
While "Spider-Man 2" now holds the opening-day record, the computer-animated "Shrek 2" remains the single-day box-office champion with the $44.8 million it grossed on Saturday, May 22, Exhibitor Relations said.
....I'm sure to add to their pockets.
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Great news. I've already Fandango'd my tickes for Sunday afternoon. Can't wait!
