Sony Pictures’ The Amazing Spider-Man 2 had Thursday night previews in many of its 4,324 theaters across North America, where it earned an estimated $8.7 million.
The previous installment The Amazing Spider-Man, released over the 4th of July weekend in 2012, brought in $7.5 million in its own midnight screenings, although Marvel Studios’ Captain America: The Winter Soldier boasted $10.2 million in Thursday preview grosses just one month back. On the other hand, Spidey’s amount is just slightly lower than the $9 million Thursday gross for Warner Bros.’ Man of Steel last year, which went on to gross $116.6 million its opening weekend. It’s a far cry from the Thursday openings for the last two May/summer kick-off movies, Marvel’s The Avengers in 2012 and last year’s Iron Man 3, both which brought in over $15 million on Thursday night alone.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 has already grossed $155 million internationally and it’s also opening in China and Brazil this weekend.