Spider-Verse Webs Up the #1 Spot and Sets December Opening Record

Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse opened with $35.4 million domestically, setting a record for opening weekend for an animated film in December. The film took the #1 spot at the domestic box office and brought in $21 million internationally, giving it a global debut of $56.4 million. The film is currently 97% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and has an A+ Cinemascore (the highest of a Spider-Man film). Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduces Brooklyn teen Miles Morales, and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask. Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman, the screenplay is by Phil Lord and Rodney Rothman from a story by Phil Lord based on the Marvel Comics. The film is produced by Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Christina Steinberg. Spider-Verse features the voices of Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry, Lily Tomlin, Luna Lauren Velez, Zoë Kravitz, John Mulaney, Kimiko Glenn with Nicolas Cage, Kathryn Hahn and Liev Schreiber.

Warner Bros.’ The Mule, the latest directorial and acting effort from Clint Eastwood, opened in second place with $17.2 million, the third highest opening weekend for a film that Eastwood directed. Produced on a budget of $50 million, it’s likely the film will serve as good counter-programming across the holiday season and become a modest hit.

Universal Pictures new animated version of Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch slipped into third place for the weekend, bringing in another $11.58 million. The animated feature now sits at $239.29 million domestically. Internationally the film has brought in $133.4 million for a global total of $372.69 million.  Benedict Cumberbatch lends his voice as the title character of the animated film, it’s directed by Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney.

After three weeks at #1, Disney’s Ralph Breaks the Internet fell from first to fourth place for the weekend, adding $9.6 million domestically and another $7.9 million internationally. Domestically the film sits at $154.5 million and $130.7 million internationally for a global total of $285.2 million. 2012’s Wreck-It Ralph ended its domestic run with $189.4 million, putting the sequel close to matching the first movie.. Featuring the voices of John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman, the sequel is directed by Rich Moore and Phil Johnston.

Universal’s Mortal Engines is the first casualty of the Christmas season, crashing with $7.5 million domestically. Internationally the film fared slightly better, bringing in $34.8 million for a global total of $42.3 million. The Peter Jackson produced movie reportedly had a budget of $100 million so the film is definitely on the highway to the danger zone. The cast for the fantasy includes Hugo Weaving, Hera Hilmar, Robbie Sheehan, South Korean singer and actress Jihae, Ronan Raftery, Leila George, Patrick Malahide and Stephen Lang.