As we wrap up the 2026 summer season, we realize it ranks firmly in second place, behind only 2013 (not adjusted for inflation). Then again, the previous decade did have more wider theatrical releases, so.
Clears throat, Marvel Studios’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day has already crossed $900 million in North America (currently at $917.7 million as of Sunday and will probably be around $922 million on Labor Day), on its 36th day of domestic release. Having already pulled a 2.5x multiplier from its record-breaking $360 million domestic debut, it’s ending the summer with a sixth chart-topping weekend. That’s a first since Avatar: The Way of Water in 2023, and the first since 1993 to top six straight weekends (without any help from November/December). So, yeah, Spidey will most likely become the highest-grossing domestic film ever by next weekend, and will probably finish around $950-960 million (more or less) domestically when all is said and done. It just crossed $2.4 billion today, so it’ll sit comfortably in third place in overall records, as reaching Avengers: Endgame (including an upcoming re-issue) and Avatar (probably more reissues at some point) will be nigh on impossible to reach. Does this mean the MCU has saved face with the latest “just another Tom Holland/Zendaya story” with the impending Avengers: Doomsday? Not necessarily, since Spider-Man is the biggest and most recognizable superhero of this century, and with the right direction and folks in charge, ever since No Way Home propelled to $1.9 billion without a penny from China, it sold itself to families as another event you couldn’t miss while leaving terms ambiguous (until witnessing) about what the future may unfold. The 2010s served their big purpose in reigniting the tale and fame of superheroes; the 2020s (despite COVID) accentuated that unless it’s well established and/or a good product, you can’t play it safe with “another” superhero tale to grab the cash.
The Odyssey has passed $1.62 billion worldwide, which means it will become Universal’s biggest-ever worldwide feature in the next week or two. It should pass $600 million domestically by next weekend, has already passed $1 billion overseas, and it’s another sign Warner Brothers messed up by letting Nolan go to the competition to stomp on their necks for a bit. It will finish its run at around $1.75 billion, more or less.
Coyote vs. Acme did tough it out and has been legging out well for a second weekend, probably with an estimated $15.5 million Labor Day haul. Could we say online buzz bled into offline interest? With a likely $37 million 11-day total from its $15.9 million Fri-Sun debut gross, the formerly shelved legal comedy will end Monday roughly tied with the tickets-sold total for Looney Tunes: Back in Action ($21 million back in 2003, but around $38 million if accounting for inflation). Yours truly is curious to see how well it will pan out for Ketchup, which bought the rights for a little over $50 million, and the totals should be around $45 million tomorrow.
Casper Kelly’s Buddy refused to slow down, as it has not only expanded into 1,771 theaters, but also has grossed around $5.4 million (-2%) on the weekend and $6.4 million including the holiday. Joke intended; this writer will take this over an asinine Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey any day. By Any Means will open with around $9 million for the holiday weekend; this sacrificial lamb of a newcomer didn’t exactly rattle audiences and once again showed that Mark Wahlberg has been missing a step, with many years of Netflix/PVOD cratering his drawing power in the movie theaters.
Insidious: Out of the Further should be passing $140 million tomorrow, Cars got reissued and will take in $7.6 million for the holiday weekend, Akira also reissued with a likely $3 million holiday weekend, The Dog Stars has cratered for Ridley Scott with Onslaught becoming a whiff for A24, and Lionsgate’s Fall 2: Deadpoint didn’t exactly require a breakout sequel performance with only $2.8 million estimated for the holiday weekend debut.
Next weekend will see the release of Practical Magic 2, The Uprising, Runner, The Fix, and If I Go They Will Miss Me.
