Entertainment

Can 'TASM 2' Beat 'Winter Soldier'?

by Alanna Bennett

Is there any way that The Amazing Spider-Man 2 will swoop into this spring box office to match — or beat — Captain America: The Winter Soldier? That's yet to be seen, of course, as the former just opened Friday and the latter's been kicking S.H.I.E.L.D. butt in that terrain for weeks. But The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is already ruling the box office, and making its claim for top superhero honcho this weekend — it brought in $35.5 million its first night.

That Spider-Man opening wasn't exactly at Winter Soldier levels of opening night excitement, as Winter Soldier brought in 36.9 million its opening night. The original Spider-Man trilogy directed by Sam Raimi did better than both of these more recent superhero forays: The original opened to $39.4 million and the infamous Spider-Man 3 to $59.8 million. Alas, times have changed.

One big thing that could help out Spidey & Co. this weekend is the bump likely to come from all the families seeking movie theater refuge: Spider-Man is arguably more kid-friendly than the more political Winter Soldier, and if the loud children sitting behind me in the theater last night are any indication it's gonna be a hit with that demographic. It's also much more likely parents will trot their tots out to a Saturday matinee than a Friday night showtime. In other words: If Spidey reaches $90 million this weekend you know you've got your nieces and nephews and their exhausted parents to blame and/or thank.

Image: Sony/Marvel