NEW YORK – The superhero film “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” continues to dominate the box office, achieving an impressive milestone as it remains the No. 1 movie in theaters for six consecutive weeks. This feat places it among an exclusive group of films, with only one other movie this decade, 2022’s “Avatar: The Way of Water,” matching this prolonged success.
Since its release at the end of July, “Brand New Day,” which is the fourth standalone Spider-Man movie featuring Tom Holland, has amassed a staggering $2.4 billion in worldwide box office revenue. This past weekend alone, it earned $18 million, with projections suggesting it could reach $23.3 million over the extended Labor Day weekend.
In second place, “The Odyssey,” produced by Universal Pictures, continued to perform well, earning $13 million domestically this weekend. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this epic film has grossed $1.63 billion globally, with more than $1 billion of that coming from international markets, marking it as the first film to surpass that threshold since “Avatar” in 2009.
The success of both “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “The Odyssey” has significantly contributed to Hollywood’s best summer box office figures since before the pandemic. As of August 31, the domestic box office for the season has reached a total of $4.6 billion, reflecting a 26.1% increase compared to 2025. Projections estimate that this summer may conclude with around $4.759 billion, slightly ahead of the $4.758 billion recorded in summer 2013.
While the summer box office numbers are impressive, it is important to note that when adjusting for inflation and considering rising ticket prices, attendance remains below pre-pandemic levels. Nevertheless, this marks a significant rebound for an industry that faced numerous challenges, including the pandemic, labor disputes, and the rise of streaming services.
Labor Day weekend is typically a quieter time for theaters, and this year was no exception. New releases such as Paramount’s “By Any Means” and A24’s “Onslaught” struggled to make an impact. Among the weekend’s notable performers was “Coyote vs. Acme,” a hybrid live-action and animated film featuring Looney Tunes characters, which only saw a modest drop in ticket sales, grossing $11.3 million in its second weekend.
“Coyote vs. Acme” has proven to be a smart investment for Ketchup Entertainment, which acquired the film for about $50 million after Warner Bros. chose not to release it. The film has garnered strong reviews and positive word-of-mouth, bringing its domestic total to $33.8 million after just two weeks.
“By Any Means,” a civil rights action thriller set in the 1960s and starring Mark Wahlberg and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, debuted with $7.4 million, with Paramount expecting a total of $9.2 million for the four-day weekend. Meanwhile, “Onslaught” flopped, earning only $1.9 million on 1,918 screens, with estimates projecting a total of $2.3 million.
On a brighter note, “Buddy,” a low-budget dark comedy created for just $3 million, has become a surprise hit. The film, directed by Casper Kelly, tells the story of children trapped inside a bizarre 1990s children’s television series. After a strong opening, it saw an increase in ticket sales, grossing $5.7 million in its second weekend, bringing its total to $14.3 million.
Here’s a look at the top 10 movies by domestic box office for the weekend:
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.
