New York (AP) – The fourth standalone Spider‑Man film, Brand New Day, continued its dominant run over the Labor Day weekend, remaining the No. 1 movie in U.S. and Canadian theaters for a sixth straight week. The superhero sequel collected an estimated $18 million from Friday through Sunday, according to Sony’s internal tracking, and the studio projects $23.3 million for the four‑day holiday period.
Box‑Office Milestones
Since late July, Brand New Day has been the only film to sustain such a lengthy reign at the top of the box‑office charts this decade. The last movie to achieve a comparable six‑week streak was James Cameron’s 2022 blockbuster Avatar: The Way of Water. With its latest earnings, the Spider‑Man entry has now amassed $2.4 billion worldwide, cementing its status as one of the highest‑grossing releases of the year.
Competition and Summer Performance
Universal Pictures’ The Odyssey held the second spot, adding $13 million domestically and pushing its global total to $1.63 billion. Overseas sales now exceed $1 billion, making it the first film since 2009’s Avatar to reach that international benchmark.
Together, the two blockbusters have helped drive what industry analysts describe as the strongest summer box‑office season since before the COVID‑19 pandemic. Rentrak reports that, through Aug. 31, domestic summer ticket sales reached $4.6 billion – a 26.1 % increase over the same period in 2025 and just shy of the record‑setting summer of 2013.
Season Outlook
Rentrak’s latest forecast, which includes the upcoming Labor Day weekend, projects the full summer to close at $4.759 billion, marginally surpassing the $4.758 billion total recorded in 2013. The 2026 summer season spans 130 days, compared with 123 days in 2013, providing a slightly longer window for revenue generation.
When adjusted for inflation and higher ticket prices, the raw admission numbers remain below pre‑pandemic levels. Nonetheless, the rebound is notable given the industry’s recent challenges, including pandemic‑related disruptions, labor disputes, and the rise of streaming platforms.
Other Releases This Weekend
Labor Day weekend traditionally sees a dip in theater attendance, and the latest slate reflected that trend. Paramount’s new civil‑rights thriller By Any Means opened with $7.4 million and earned a “B+” CinemaScore, while A24’s horror‑action Onslaught struggled, pulling $1.9 million on 1,918 screens and receiving a “C” CinemaScore.
Animated hybrid Coyote vs. Acme performed solidly, dropping only 29 % to $11.3 million in its second weekend. Indie distributor Ketchup Entertainment acquired the film for roughly $50 million after Warner Bros. passed on it, and the title has already generated $33.8 million domestically.
Surprisingly, low‑budget dark comedy Buddy has become a modest hit. Made for $3 million, the film earned $5.7 million this weekend, a 5 % increase over its opening, bringing its two‑week total to $14.3 million.
Weekend Box‑Office Rankings
- 1. Spider‑Man: Brand New Day – $18 million
- 2. The Odyssey – $13 million
- 3. Coyote vs. Acme – $11.3 million
- 4. By Any Means – $7.4 million
- 5. Insidious: Out of the Further – $6.5 million
- 6. Cars (20th anniversary) – $6.1 million
- 7. Buddy – $5.7 million
- 8. PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie – $3.3 million
- 9. The End of Oak Street – $2.9 million
- 10. The Dog Stars – $2.7 million
Final domestic figures for the weekend will be released on Monday, providing a complete picture of the market’s performance.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
