
Spider-Man almost broke the box office record, and Marvel may have an even bigger hit on its hands. Advance ticket sales for Avengers: Doomsday was approximately 65% higher than those for Spider-Man: Brand New Day at this point in the run, according to The Wrap citing theatrical sources.
It is a striking comparison, given that Brand New Day was far from a modest benchmark. Tom Holland‘s latest Spider-Man film debuted with $355 million in North America and $927 million worldwide, trailing only Avengers: Endgame in total revenue.
Just a few weekends later, the film had grossed more than $2 billion worldwide, becoming Sony Pictures‘ biggest hit ever.
Now Doomsday is approaching even more quickly. Disney began general advance sales about four months before the film’s scheduled release on 18 December and had already sold tickets for select premium-format showings.
Tickets for Brand New Day went on sale roughly 45 days before the release of the movie, meaning there was more imminent demand for the movie.
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One key reason to be cautious about the 65% figure is that the current period is an unusual early sales window.
Fans have had months to book tickets for Doomsday, but Spider-Man: Brand New Day will begin selling tickets 45 days prior to release. TheWrap notes that presales for blockbusters usually ramp up right when tickets go on sale, then slow down and ramp up again just before opening weekend. That makes it difficult to make a direct comparison.
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Still, the early rush provides Disney a strong first indication. Doomsday sees Robert Downey Jr return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom and Chris Evans return as Steve Rogers, bringing together characters from the Avengers, Fantastic Four and X-Men.