Spider-Man snags IMAX China opening records

Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the new superhero blockbuster by Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios, has achieved a record-breaking debut in the Chinese mainland's IMAX theaters, generating more than 130 million yuan ($19.25 million) in IMAX box-office revenue, according to IMAX China Holding, Inc.

Poster for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn

The film set new IMAX franchise records for both opening day and opening weekend, marking IMAX's biggest opening day performance for a Hollywood release in China since Avengers: Endgame in 2019. It also established a new opening weekend record for a single-character superhero film.

Despite IMAX theaters accounting for around 1 percent of the country's total screens, the format contributed 16 percent of the film's nationwide opening weekend box office, delivering the highest IMAX index ever recorded for the live-action Spider-Man franchise.

The film's strong momentum was evident from its midnight screenings. IMAX midnight shows earned more than 8.2 million yuan, accounting for 30 percent of the movie's total midnight-screening revenue nationwide. The performance set a new 2026 IMAX China midnight-screening record and also became the biggest-ever midnight-screening result for both the Spider-Man franchise and a single-character superhero film.

"Congratulations to our partners at Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios on this phenomenal opening," said Daniel Manwaring, CEO of IMAX China.

"This landmark performance once again demonstrates IMAX's unique ability to elevate great storytelling into must-see theatrical events, while underscoring the Chinese market's enduring appetite for event cinema. This powerful opening further fuels our momentum through the rest of summer, backed by a strong content pipeline ahead," added Manwaring.

As Spider-Man: Brand New Day continues its theatrical run across IMAX theaters nationwide, more major releases are set to arrive on the format. Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, the world's first feature film shot entirely with IMAX film cameras, will open in IMAX theaters across China on Aug 14, following nationwide previews from Aug 8.

The IMAX summer lineup also includes the Chinese blockbusters Kung Fu Soccer and All Wishes Come True!, which are currently playing in theaters, as well as the upcoming sci-fi survival film The End of Oak Street.

Reporter: Xu Fan