Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Shatters Box Office Previews with $17.35 Million, Setting the Stage for a Spectacular Weekend

After an eagerly awaited five-year wait, the highly anticipated sequel, "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," has burst onto the scene with an impressive $17.35 million in Thursday previews at the box office.

Excitement is soaring as projections estimate an opening weekend of $80 million, with some forecasts even reaching an impressive $90 million or more. This sets the bar high compared to its predecessor, the 2018 hit "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," which opened with $35.4 million and had $3.5 million in Thursday previews.

The Thursday total also propels "Across the Spider-Verse" to claim the second-highest preview gross for an animated movie, trailing only behind the beloved "The Incredibles 2" with $18.5 million. Additionally, it secures the second-highest previews for any "Spider-Man" film, coming in after the record-breaking "Spider-Man: No Way Home" with an astounding $50 million.

Fans will be thrilled to see the return of familiar faces, as many of the original cast members reprise their roles. Shameik Moore returns as the charismatic Miles Morales, Hailee Steinfeld as the spunky Gwen Stacy, and Jake Johnson as the endearing Peter B. Parker. Building on the events of "Into the Spider-Verse," Miles has embraced his role as Spider-Man and now finds himself encountering even more extraordinary versions of the web-slinging hero. Among them are Miguel O’Hara (voiced by Oscar Isaac), Jessica Drew (voiced by Issa Rae), Spider-Man India (voiced by Karan Soni), and Spider-Punk (voiced by Daniel Kaluuya).

Critics and fans alike are raving about the film, adding to the excitement. The overwhelming positive reviews are a testament to the high bar set by its predecessor. Chief film critic Owen Gleiberman, in his review for Variety, exclaimed, "They've done it. 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' doesn't just continue the tale of Miles Morales; it takes that story to mind-blowing new heights, serving as a genuine spiritual companion to the first film. The previous installment spun our heads, but this one takes it even further. And honestly, would fans like myself have it any other way?"

The Spider-Verse continues to expand its web, with a third movie, "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse," already scheduled for March 29, 2024. Additionally, producers are working on a variety of spinoffs, including a live-action Miles Morales film and an animated "Spider-Woman" movie. The future looks bright for Spidey fans!

Get ready to swing into action and immerse yourself in the thrilling world of "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" – a cinematic experience that promises to captivate audiences and leave them craving for more!